Question of the day: Moe: awesomely cute, or painfully annoying?
First off, it depends on how you define "moe." To me, a "moe" character is one who is designed to appeal to fans, usually by needing some kind of help or protection-- they inspire a certain protectiveness and kindness in the fans (and in the other characters in the series).
Some of them annoy the heck out of me...usually the ones who are super-helpless and whiney. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya's Mikuru, for example, is not a favorite of mine, nor is Clannad's Nagisa, etc.
On the other hand, characters that are "moe" but have more dimension to them-- such as, arguably, Haruhi Suzumiya's Haruhi, who inspires Kyon to help keep her reasonably happy while also keeping the world stable --is a favorite of mine. She has more to her than the moe: she's also strong, and unwilling to back down from what she wants.
Another sort-of moe character is Black Lagoon's Revy. It's frequently noted that she's broken, she's had a horrible life, and she has a hard time dealing with people-- all things that give a "moe" feel of wanting to help, protect, or fix Revy. But at the same time, she's a character who would reject any such feelings and who takes care of herself. And I adore Revy to pieces.
So, there you go...some examples of moe characters I love, and that I don't.
Some of them annoy the heck out of me...usually the ones who are super-helpless and whiney. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya's Mikuru, for example, is not a favorite of mine, nor is Clannad's Nagisa, etc.
On the other hand, characters that are "moe" but have more dimension to them-- such as, arguably, Haruhi Suzumiya's Haruhi, who inspires Kyon to help keep her reasonably happy while also keeping the world stable --is a favorite of mine. She has more to her than the moe: she's also strong, and unwilling to back down from what she wants.
Another sort-of moe character is Black Lagoon's Revy. It's frequently noted that she's broken, she's had a horrible life, and she has a hard time dealing with people-- all things that give a "moe" feel of wanting to help, protect, or fix Revy. But at the same time, she's a character who would reject any such feelings and who takes care of herself. And I adore Revy to pieces.
So, there you go...some examples of moe characters I love, and that I don't.
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Sometimes anime could get out of hand, the most common is Mikuru from Suzumiya Haruhi but one of my long-time annoyances in which is beneficial is Chiyo!
Yes that Chiyo! The one who sang that catchy and yet annoying cooking song that annoys me out of sanity. Yet, thinking about "that" song makes me, want to watch it again and again until my eyes popped out. And no, that isn't a bad thing. It's just arresistable!
Another one would be either Tsukara or Akira from Lucky Star, Tsukara who is kinda clumsy, turns out to be moe but yet painfully annoying me which in awe of cutiness. Akira, on the other hand, has two sides and which both of them is just an awe moe moment for me, as in every Lucky Star segment. It wonders why they are painfully annoying and moe at the same time.
In some degree, these types of anime, sterotypically, are just there to be moe but share the same annoyances that some fans crave but others don't.
As for me, Fuko Ibuki is awesomely cute, because she is always there in a weird situation, just to talk about stars/starfishs. You first see Tomoya and the gang talking but then, Fuko Ibuki appears to save the day! In the most moe manner ever! In the most random situation, and then, disappear. She's neither annoying or annoying.
Yes that Chiyo! The one who sang that catchy and yet annoying cooking song that annoys me out of sanity. Yet, thinking about "that" song makes me, want to watch it again and again until my eyes popped out. And no, that isn't a bad thing. It's just arresistable!
Another one would be either Tsukara or Akira from Lucky Star, Tsukara who is kinda clumsy, turns out to be moe but yet painfully annoying me which in awe of cutiness. Akira, on the other hand, has two sides and which both of them is just an awe moe moment for me, as in every Lucky Star segment. It wonders why they are painfully annoying and moe at the same time.
In some degree, these types of anime, sterotypically, are just there to be moe but share the same annoyances that some fans crave but others don't.
As for me, Fuko Ibuki is awesomely cute, because she is always there in a weird situation, just to talk about stars/starfishs. You first see Tomoya and the gang talking but then, Fuko Ibuki appears to save the day! In the most moe manner ever! In the most random situation, and then, disappear. She's neither annoying or annoying.
In my case it's complicated. I like moe when used properly, but I'm not a huge fan of moe by itself. Usually I like moe aspects the most when they are used to enhance the dere factor of a character. Moe when used blatantly however, like say, Louise from Zero no Tsukaima, bugs the crap out of me whenever she's in evil mode one moment and tries to be cute the next. It comes across as being so fake when they do that, it's not even enjoyable. Good moe is when the show slowly moves you into it. A character all of a sudden jumping out in a maid uniform and is hyper as hell with the cutesy poses (see Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu) isn't all that great if they do it all at once.
For a fair example of good moe, see Ga Rei Zero episode 4, when the Kagura and Yomi are playing in the backseat of the Humvee. The show has slowly moved you into accepting the little quirks of their two personalities already, and when they meet up with the squad at school it's pretty cute. I use this example because it comes across as moe without even using the usual overdone stuff like maid outfits, huge eyes, or weird poses, and although it's definitely not the best example out there, it's pretty good.
For a fair example of good moe, see Ga Rei Zero episode 4, when the Kagura and Yomi are playing in the backseat of the Humvee. The show has slowly moved you into accepting the little quirks of their two personalities already, and when they meet up with the squad at school it's pretty cute. I use this example because it comes across as moe without even using the usual overdone stuff like maid outfits, huge eyes, or weird poses, and although it's definitely not the best example out there, it's pretty good.
