Can/could Japan still be welcome by us without animes?

[ps2huang]

Imagine this, if Japan did not invent mangas, animes, and videogames, will this country be loved by us fans even though it is still creating home peripheral stuffs and some nice house furnitures?

[MistressPookyChan]

I think that Japan has that mystic that a lot of people find interesting. Tradition, culture (samurai and geisha, etc), religion, not to mention other technology. I think that people would still be interested in Japan even if they didn't have anime and video games. Heck, I know many people that love Japan for things other than anime and video games.

[Gjallarhorn]

Like Pooky said, Japan has many other things to offer outside of anime. Their history and culture, as well as many modern things. Technologically, such as video cell phones. They are well known for making good cars (Mitsubishi for instance). They have great music in all genres. They also are a huge part of the seafood industry. Also let us not forget that it is a member of the United Nations, the G8, and APEC. It is also supposedly a great vacation spot, but I really don't know that much about that.

[MistressPookyChan]

It's not a good vacation spot right now. Come in a few months when it cools down and stops raining.

[Keyasaffection]

I think that Japan has that mystic that a lot of people find interesting. Tradition, culture (samurai and geisha, etc), religion, not to mention other technology. I think that people would still be interested in Japan even if they didn't have anime and video games. Heck, I know many people that love Japan for things other than anime and video games.

well said ill have to agree....

[Sagat]

Without anime this perverse obsession with Japan and it's culture and women and people and martial arts and way of doing things and women would be virtually non-existent and "otaku's" would wander the streets utterly lost with a vacant stare in their eyes.

[~Pure Soul~]

This is my opinion, and I dont wish for anybody to get mad at me.But I think its 50 50 chance. Like for example Xero XIII is right that some people are interested in the history and culture but at the same time. Anime and vedio games is what mostly made it poppular.And knowing how Japan was before and im not sure how it is today.I cant say cause im not sure.But I think they'll like it better with anime,mangas,culture,and history.

[MistressPookyChan]

I wouldn't say that the otakus would vanish, but they would be turn their facination to something else. Geisha had their own otaku followers, in a way. There are people that are obsessed about everything. Of the people I know directly, I know of: a few train otaku, sports (soccer) otaku, music group otaku.... none of these having to do with video games or anime and manga.

[stigmatize]

I would think that Japan would probably lose a few star attraction points to the country if it didn't originate anime/mangas and video games, but it's technology would still be very much welcomed and loved by otakus.

[sapphiredragon]

I'm interested in Japanese history and culture, but that's because of my interest in anime. If it weren't for anime, I wouldn't be surprised if I would have never developed an interest in Japan, but who knows?

[Sinnaku]

I've slowly removed myself from an unhealthy obsession with anime and manga. Don't believe me? Check this forum. I never post in the sections for anime.

But I still find the culture and history of Japan intriguing. It wouldn't damage the love for Japan is there were no mangas or animes.

Oh, and Japan did not invent video games. Two Americans created the very first video game in 1946. Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann were the first to design and create a device specifically intended for game play.

[Queen-of-Mars]

There are people who find Japan interesting for other reasons. There are MANY people, many among us, who only care for Japan because of anime, music and DDR. There are others who are truly fascinated by the culture including the architecture, the people and the history of it all. If there were no mangas running around, or pop stars with surgically enhanced big eyes, not as many people would care for Japan, but I doubt it would seriously curve the amount.

[ps2huang]

Most fo you got it right; however, I find the only interesting parts of Japan to me are video games and comics.
I don't think modern adults are in love wit hstudying history.

[Wespe]

Most fo you got it right; however, I find the only interesting parts of Japan to me are video games and comics.
I don't think modern adults are in love wit hstudying history.

I'm in love with studying history and I'm a modern adult. I think Japan would still be well known for other things besides anime and manga like martial arts and sumo wrestling

[Labefacto Chaotic]

I agree with most of you. I too like the culture of Japan and would like to think I still would even without the influence of Anime, and games. I find some of the customs they have there to be interesting and I would like to plan a vacation there sometime soon.

[Myrcice Maeghym]

For me they would, of course. I love their music and their culture...And their hair! xD
The country might not be as popular here without all that stuff, but there are quite a few who would love it anyway, myself included.

[Manhattan_Project_2000]

I'd say that shorn of their Anime, Japan would be about as popular as say, China or Korea. There aren't that many folks that dig their culture for non-Anime reasons, and most that do were introduced to the culture through Anime, anyway.

[viewtyjoe]

I'm with Manhatten on this one. Without something to draw interest, Japan isn't any more attractive than any other culturally rich Asian country.

[ps2huang]

Well, Taiwan is strongly influenced by Japan, too.
Anyway, I find Japanese men to be attractive despite the lackness of heights.

[Sasuke is God]

I think that Japan has that mystic that a lot of people find interesting. Tradition, culture (samurai and geisha, etc), religion, not to mention other technology. I think that people would still be interested in Japan even if they didn't have anime and video games. Heck, I know many people that love Japan for things other than anime and video games.

I totally agree with that!!!

[Masali]

As much as I'd like to agree with Xero and Pookey, I must say that most here wouldn't even look toward japan in the first place if it didn't have the Video Games and Anime. Most of us are pretty shallow.

To answer your question: No.

[-Batman-]

...I'm in j00r forum...Mongling ur posts?

[MistressPookyChan]

I still can't help but think about the Geisha mystique and the power of ninja and samurai as something that lures people in even without the help of anime and manga. The Last Samurai wasn't an anime, nor was Memoirs of a Geisha. How about the Harajuku Girls thing going on? That's fashion and music, not anime and video games. These are just modern day examples. Think back to the European traders and their tales of Japan, the travel diaries of adventurers, and translations of traditional Japanese readings. These all helped make Japan popular.

[Kristen]

Well, considering we buy all their cars and technology, I'd say like it or not, we'd be forced to. o_O That's just how the economy works.

Not to mention they're one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. o_O And their history alone is enough to intrigue us. They're traditionally system is fantastic and they've got some of the best music I've ever heard. o_o;

[Alonely]

Without anime, manga, and videogames, Japan wouldn't be as well-known as it is today. It'd be respected for some of the ones who do know what else Japan makes and does, but it wouldn't get as much publicity as it does now. Anime introduces a lot of people into Japanese culture, until in some cases they're Japanophiles and wish they were Japanese.

Japan isn't welcomed by me because of anime, and I hope it never will be liked by people for that sole reason.