Moe! What do you think?

[Selena]

So I found an article called MOE! What does it mean? What hath it wrought? that discusses Moe.

It's an online reprint of a set of older articles, but I figured I'd share them and ask what you guys think. Do you like Moe? Do you see it as a scourge on anime? Or (like me) are you just kind of going with the flow when it comes to moe?

Discuss! :D

[Fanta]

First, how much is Moe known? In Japan, I think those who read/watch/play manga and Light Novels/anime/video games and PC games know the term while other people don't know or may have heard it. So do other countries, I guess.

[Selena]

Moe has pretty much become mainstream knowledge (sort of) among US anime fans, but even then, definitions vary. Non anime fans won't know the word at all.

[H.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30yrv...

This was my first understanding of moe. I'd never heard of it before watching this show. Maybe I don't really understand it completely. Can boys be moe?

[Fanta]

I think those who say "moe" can say "moe" to anything they love, even if it were boys, animals, machines or goods, situations, etc, but generally it's said to cute or beautiful girls.

[H.]

So it's more a general love, not always sexual. Interesting, thanks Fanta.

[Aaron]

In my experience I havn't seen Moe used non-ironically, unless it's used like that's another moe-blob show. Where it's not really meant as I love it but more it's one of those shows with girls that do cute things.

[Fanta]

Yeah, moe sounds like Otaku, which is likely to get a cold look in Japan.

[Parker]

Fanta wrote: "First, how much is Moe known? In Japan, I think those who read/watch/play manga and Light Novels/anime/video games and PC games know the term while other people don't know or may have heard it. So ..."

I know a lot of more casual anime watchers who don't know it.

My opinion is that it has a time and a place. If I'm watching a show that's cute girls doing cute things or a harem, I'd be disappointed if there wasn't any moe. But at the same time, there better not be any moe in my Jojo's.

[James]

I like how moe has grown into a topic such that it's almost a philosophical concept ( P

I really enjoy moe, and cute girls doing cute things is something that draws me to slice of life and romantic comedy. I think it's a trait that belongs in shows where it fits best.

I think there is a debate to be had on whether guys can be moe. I think it's possible, but just like with gals, it depends on their character appeal. If you have a guy with tattoo sleeves that drinks whiskey straight from the bottle while pumping iron, you can hardly call that moe - I call it alcohol poisoning. I think guys are less likely to be moe than girls, but there are guys that possess more passive traits than others, and so those are the ones that could possibly be considered moe.