The Keys to a Successful Anime According to Otakus

In a recent discussion on a popular commentary forum in Japan, users shared their opinions on the crucial elements that an anime story must possess to satisfy the discerning audience. The points discussed shed light on Japanese viewers' expectations and preferences for storytelling and character development in anime.

• Give the protagonist a purpose from the beginning: Forum participants emphasized the importance of clearly stating the protagonist's goal from the beginning of the story. A protagonist with a defined purpose provides a clear direction to the plot and helps keep the viewer's interest from the start.
• Keeping the Pace at the Beginning: The discussion also highlighted the importance of maintaining a dynamic pace at the beginning of the story. A slow start can diminish the viewer's interest, so maintaining a snappy and immersive narrative from the start is crucial to grabbing the audience's attention.
• Avoid lengthy explanations of the world or environment: Members agreed that it is preferable to avoid lengthy explanations about the world or environment in the first few episodes. Instead, they suggested gradually introducing these elements throughout the story so as not to overwhelm the viewer with unnecessary information early on.

• Show the protagonist in action: One of the key points highlighted in the discussion was the importance of showing the protagonist in action from the beginning. Viewers want to see the main character involved in the plot and facing challenges from the start, which helps build interest and empathy with the character.
• The protagonist is not the one who falls in love, but the one who makes the girls fall in love with him: Participants discussed the role of the protagonist in romantic relationships within the story. They argued that an attractive and charismatic protagonist should be able to win the affection of other characters, rather than simply falling in love with them.
• A passive protagonist will never be well received: The importance of having an active and determined protagonist was highlighted, as opposed to a passive one who simply reacts to events happening around them. A protagonist with their own agency tends to be more appealing to the audience and can drive plot development more effectively.
• Decide on a direction and stick to it (don't fool the viewer): Otakus emphasized the importance of having a clear direction in the plot and staying true to it. Sudden changes in tone or direction can confuse the viewer and diminish the narrative coherence of the story.
• Avoid real-life proper names and do not reference real incidents: It was suggested to avoid using real names or references to real-life events within the anime story, as this can distract the viewer and break the immersion in the fictional world created by the anime.

• Do not use parody, the lowest form of comedy: Participants expressed their aversion to the use of parody in anime stories, considering it an inferior form of comedy that can detract from the seriousness of the plot and characters.
• Keep the introduction as short as possible and quickly develop the characters: The discussion emphasized the importance of keeping a concise introduction and quickly developing the main characters to grab the viewer's attention and lay the groundwork for the main plot.
• Viewers prefer attractive and charismatic characters over complex scenarios and heavy plots: Finally, otakus highlighted the audience's preference for attractive and charismatic characters over complex and heavy plots. A cast of engaging and well-developed characters can be critical to the success of an anime story, attracting and keeping the viewer's interest throughout the series.

In summary, the discussions on the forum offer an eye-opening insight into the expectations of Japanese audiences as to the quality and essential elements that an anime story must possess to satisfy their tastes and maintain their interest throughout the series.

Source: Yaraon!