Anime on my mind

But away from the television spotlight,there is a parallel universe of Anime in India that runs amok. Anime followers here have formed clubs,read up innumerable Manga comic strips,hoarded merchandise and even run pen over paper to create their own strips. These aficionados swear by Anime’s ingenuous story-telling prowess,ground-breaking artwork and dynamic musical repertoire.

“I believe Anime is popular in India because it is different from other forms of Western animation,or what we call cartoons. It is less episodic and has a more defined beginning and end. Cartoons usually are about superheroes or parodies about them,but Anime offers a wider variety — action,romance or college life. I love it because I can relate to the characters,” says 21-year-old Sudipta Mondal,a member of the Delhi Anime Club.

There is a distinct whiff of cultism about the followers of Anime. Tarun Kumar,a Chennai-based gaming industry professional says,“I started following it six years ago,initially thinking it to be just another form of animation. But I got addicted to the intense storylines,the music,the art and the picturisation. Once you start,you want to keep on watching.”

It is a surprising trend in a country where Manga comics and non-Animax Anime visual material is scarce. But Anime clubs have thrived here in the recent past,social media is flooded with discussions and posts,and there is an incipient movement to encourage those who want to create their own versions of Anime. Manga India is running a contest called “The Indian Manga Project” to steer this talent. Manga comics,on which most Anime is based,is hailed as much for its tight imagination and wide swathe of topics,as for its slick illustrations. “There is so much information in it — about relationships,people and life in general. Unlike cartoons,which are mostly for fun,Anime guarantees full-fledged entertainment. It has the power to make you laugh and cry. I believe you evolve from cartoons to Anime. It’s like a big step in evolution,” says Hari Haran,another Chennai-based Anime fanatic.

Anime original soundtracks too make for swashbuckling downloads,often combining minimalist folk influences with guitar power chords. “Anime finds fans among artists basically,and of course a wide fan-base among gaming professionals,” says 27-year-old Sudarshan Ranganathan from Bengaluru. He admits India saw a slow growth initially,but has now caught up as far as viewership goes. “But we are low on merchandise. I usually order online for Anime products; the commercial side hasn’t developed much here.”

‘Perspective’ is another hot word in the scheme of Anime followers. “If they show that blue hair is cool,we would start believing that too. Because Anime makes you look at things from the creators’ perspective. Some think watching Anime is childish,but what’s wrong in being a child?” asks Hari Haran.