Why big o has such a huge draw for americans.

[shadowdorothy]

has anyone but me noticed that Big O is one of the few animes that takes place in america? Most animes take place in
1 Japan
2 Britian
3 china
and 4 thailand......
but never america! thats why it was never a big hit in Japan and other forgien nations, it just didn't appeal to their sense of action and fun like it does for us. Now i know there are tons of fans in europe and asia, i'm just saying it has a bigger appeal to us because it's closer to home is all.

[Mike]

It looks like Batman.
A lot of people see something that's obviously anime-ish and go "ew anime that stuff is stupid" where Big O doesn't quite look like anime. Maybe that's why it didn't do so great in Japan, too. That and because it was very American, film noir styled, as opposed to hyper bright and shiny.

[Hobo]

I think Toonami's marketing of it had to have helped.

Saying something is Batman and James Bond with giant robots is bound to get people's attention.

[Tony Ventresca]

A lot of people see something that's obviously anime-ish and go "ew anime that stuff is stupid" where Big O doesn't quite look like anime. Maybe that's why it didn't do so great in Japan, too. That and because it was very American, film noir styled, as opposed to hyper bright and shiny.

Agree totally. I'm having a devil of a time convincing my friends to watch Big O, since I know they'd like it, but understandably they lump all anime into the pre-teen-romance-soap-opera-with-robots-piloted-by-annoying-children cliche. Which simply does not describe Big O.

[The Final Negotiator]

A lot of people see something that's obviously anime-ish and go "ew anime that stuff is stupid" where Big O doesn't quite look like anime. Maybe that's why it didn't do so great in Japan, too. That and because it was very American, film noir styled, as opposed to hyper bright and shiny.

Agree totally. I'm having a devil of a time convincing my friends to watch Big O, since I know they'd like it, but understandably they lump all anime into the pre-teen-romance-soap-opera-with-robots-piloted-by-annoying-children cliche. Which simply does not describe Big O.

Well, there is a progressing story (not just robots trashing the Paradigm City) and some emotion, but it's very downplayed compared to the bulk of the anime out there. My friends had the same reaction to Big O when I described it to them.

Personal favorites for me are:
-The American perspective on cars. Granted other areas of the world have cars, but to most countries they're just
  transportation. In America, it's part of your attitude, your lifestyle...

-The science fiction (the abbreviation "sci fi" is overused and annoying) elements are very low-key:
      Androids have R. initials before human names, not series numbers...
      The Griffon, Roger's briefcase, and Norman's cycle have high tech gadgets, but retro styling...
      Except for the domes, structures have a retro style...
      Paradigm Corporation uses "inclines" (a type of cable car) for moving people, rather than elevators or escalators...
  It almost reminds me of...and this will make people cringe...Star Trek... Granted Dune and Star Wars included histories
  and traditions, but Star Trek included Earth history and traditions.

- People only yell when they're angry, and they don't get angry at the drop of a hat. In fact, there are few sudden mood
  swings, Dorothy's request for Roger the Negotiator to negotiate her adoption of Pierot nonwithstanding (and given the
  circumstances, her reaction was appropriate)...

- Some witty humor, not just slapstick stuff...

[Hobo]

-The science fiction (the abbreviation "sci fi" is overused and annoying) elements are very low-key:
      Androids have R. initials before human names, not series numbers...
      The Griffon, Roger's briefcase, and Norman's cycle have high tech gadgets, but retro styling...
      Except for the domes, structures have a retro style...
      Paradigm Corporation uses "inclines" (a type of cable car) for moving people, rather than elevators or escalators...
 

SciFi is not Science Fiction.

Science Fiction is a story lain out following the rules of the universe, with one or two plot-devices.

SciFi has perfect artificial gravity, inertial dampeners, and clones grown in a day.

[Brooklyn Luckfield]

that's one of the reasons why Big O is so good, because it much different than your normal "Dime a dozen anime", think any harem or any of the shows about boy A being in love with Girl B, and wasting 25 episodes on a dull and cliche' plot.

[DOMON KASSHU!]

that's one of the reasons why Big O is so good, because it much different than your normal "Dime a dozen anime", think any harem or any of the shows about boy A being in love with Girl B, and wasting 25 episodes on a dull and cliche' plot.

Hey, I like those harem animes with their shameless and gratuitous fanservice, thank you.
War.

[Mike]

Replace "harem" with "epic war" and add "explosions" along with fanservice, then I agree with you.

[Anebo]

Wasn't Speed Racer (sorry, Mifune Go!) set in America? Aren't almost all anime characters Western, presumably American? Especially the blonde ones?

[Brooklyn Luckfield]

Wasn't Speed Racer (sorry, Mifune Go!) set in America? Aren't almost all anime characters Western, presumably American? Especially the blonde ones?

Blond hair and blue eyes are the stock westerner look in anime, Americans, Germans, and well basically anyone not Japanese is portrayed as having blond hair and blue eyes.

[The Final Negotiator]

Hey, I like those harem animes with their shameless and gratuitous fanservice, thank you.
War.

...hence you liking of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann... No problem with that. I think it's cool, too...

Replace "harem" with "epic war" and add "explosions" along with fanservice, then I agree with you.

Mike you'll find harems, explosions, AND fan service in Gurren Lagann... However, while I've seen grand battles, nothing "epic" yet... I'll keep you posted though...

Wasn't Speed Racer (sorry, Mifune Go!) set in America? Aren't almost all anime characters Western, presumably American? Especially the blonde ones?

Well, the Racer family was from America, but as far as where the series was based...it changed every episode or two (if it was a two-parter). Speed entered races held in many different countries and regions around the world, which sometimes necessitated modifications to the Mach 5 (not often, though, because of it's already high-tech design). Now if you mean "based" as in from what perspective was the world viewed, then "yes" it was certainly told from an American perspective.

[SpikeSpiegel]

It was brought up in one of the posts about it's appeal to Americans is that it is set here. I do have a question on this......

I have heard many say that it is set in NY, however I did notice something.  In Season One - Act 7, Roger is walking along a dock.  A sign comes up that says Pier 29 and Bay Tours.  A moment later, two restaurants are shown, Alioto's and Tarantino's.  Both of these are in Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, a short distance from Pier 29 (Actually they are on Pier 39 - Have eaten at both. Great food, although not as good as Scoma's).  Where is there any suggestion of New York?  I am just now starting to watch them again, and am just on season 1, but have seen nothing.  Can anyone enlighten me?  Just don't tell me any "spoilers" as I don't remember most of the second season.  I would like to see it "fresh".

[Anebo]

There is a scene in which a high aerial view or a map is shown (someone psoted the stills once, but it evidently just lasts a second and one could easily miss it) and that definitely shows New York. However, given the writer's method of working (much more on that very soon) we cannot limit paradigm city to any single real palce.

[SpikeSpiegel]

Thanks for the reply, Anebo.  I haven't seen that yet.  It is just that I grew up there (NY/NJ) and haven't seen any references to it.  If you have any more, let me know.