How to convert my Mother to an anime fan.

[fractured_sun]

The shops are all selling Mother's day presents and cards. (Must remember to buy something for mine.) It got me thinking about my Mother though.

I have an ongoing (not very successful) mission to convert her to an anime fan or "That Japanese cartoon stuff" as she calls it. I'm not entirely sure why I care so much, but I want to prove my point. They are not just for kids or simply horribly violent, but are well made, thought provoking programmes. I must admit  the  conversation tends to  deteriorate as I try to prove that: no I'm not to old for them, because they are for everyone, and no they aren't all about sex or violence (true a lot of them are, but I just won't mention that). My problem is trying to think of examples to prove it to her that she won't instantly dislike, (I think I've gone past the wanting to open her eyes to new possibilities phase, into stubbornly wanting to prove her wrong). I was hoping someone might have some suggestions I need an anime series or film that she'd like to start her descent into addiction. Cue the evil laugh.

She's in her fifties watches romantic comedies or voyage of self discovery type films (her favourites are Sleepless in Seattle and Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle stop cafe. If that helps at all.)
It would need to contain little or no violence, she will watch action films but she doesn't really like them.
It can be sad but not too dark (not for a first try anyway)
Light BL is OK but it can't be too blatant (she'd happily watch a serious film, she liked Brokeback mountain, but something like Gravitation, an extreme example anyway, would have her running screaming)
Humour and fantasy would probably be good bets but the only ones I can think of are really silly.
She would absolutely hate mecha (pity) or anything with screaming fan girls.
I did think of trying to get her watching a Miyazaki film which she would probably love, but they don't exactly fit the aimed at adults point.
Anyone have any suggestions my poor brain can't think of anything that fits.
I thought I might buy her one as a present, she'd feel obliged to watch it then (is that mean),I just need to pick something that would get her hooked. Then she can stop worrying that I've changed into a strange geek in the 10 years since leaving home (maybe I have but that's not the point).

See it's for her own good it'll make her stop worrying, (and nagging).

Thank you. Er does this entry make me sound like a teenager? Just to avoid confusion I'm in my late 20's I just act like I'm 12. 

Comments

[lil-1337.livejournal.com]

You might try Seirei No Moribito. It's very lush visually and the story is complex without being confusing. Most of the main characters are adults and there is a level of maturity to it that you don't get in school shows.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6634

[fractured-sun.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I hadn't heard of it. I'll have to check it out. Even if she doesn't like it I'm sure I will.

p.s. your icon made me laugh.

[lil-1337.livejournal.com]

It's a great series.

My daughter got into anime way before I did but because she watched Sailor Moon on cartoon network obsessively it was a long time before I realized there was more depth and variety to it. Keep it up, you might convert her.

One more suggestion: Nodame Cantible. It's a romance and very sweet.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7010

[fractured-sun.livejournal.com]

Oooh this one looks interesting too *goes to look for it*.

It's funny Cartoon network is both the reason I got into anime and the reason I almost didn't. Programmes like Pokemon and Digimon (which actually in the right mood I sort of guitily like, but still think are ridiculous commercialised advertisements) get played all the time and are a huge turnoff. Then Cartoon Network put Gundam Wing up and hours were dedicated to finding and devouring more anime (and then manga mustn't forget the manga), a new obsessive fan girl was born.

Thus proving the key is to find the right starting point.

[merith.livejournal.com]

howl's moving castle is romantic, not childish, and will give her a taste of the joy that is miyazaki. (i would probably steer clear of most of his other works until she becomes more of a fan.)

you might try rurouni kenshin -- it's romantic (in a way), historical in a big way, and though it does have some violence, it's not bad. it's humorous even in its darkest moments.

maybe fruits basket, since it's rather light (with darker undertones) has a touch of romance, and is sweet. it has it's moments of *shudder* screaming VAs, but they're few and far between.

i'll try to think of a few others she might like without dismissing immediately.

[fractured-sun.livejournal.com]

All great suggestions.

Ahh the horrors of the 'Prince Yuki fan club'. I definitely want to get her watching Fruits Basket, but I might have to work my way up to it.

[boxofhatebrains.livejournal.com]

wow....sitting here and thinking...i guess i like a lot of violent animes... O.o fruits basket is good (not as good as manga, though ;P). my mom likes kenshin (but she also likes hellsing and gravitation, etc., so...). spiral deduction connection (aka spiral, NOT uzumaki) was kind of fun, solving crimes and all (too bad for the suck ending). naussicaa (sp?) was good if i can remember right. blue seed wasn't too violent and had some interesting points...if i can remember (bad memory).detective conan? escaflowne? fushigi yuugi? (old school much?) read or die ova? scrapped princess (i didnt see the whole thing, though)?

[fractured-sun.livejournal.com]

oooh some good suggestions in there. Makes me want to run off and rewatch some.

[boxofhatebrains.livejournal.com]

me too :P hurry up, netflix!