In the two-dimensional world, there is a type of animation that is jokingly called "toilet paper", a title that not only vividly depicts the texture of such animation, but also reflects the audience's evaluation of them. For nearly a decade, this kind of animation has been released like a product on the production line, which is undoubtedly a disaster for those who are veteran anime fans.Traditionally, "toilet paper" animation has been defined as poorly produced, with an outdated storyline and a character set.
1. The overall structure is simple. They are like single-use toilet paper, discarded and left no traces. This type of animation is often close to the level of B-grade films.
Over time, the definition of "toilet paper" animation has become broader. Nowadays, people are more inclined to evaluate whether a work falls into the category of "toilet paper" based on the quality of animation production and the depth of plot adaptation. Sometimes, it is even judged only by whether the work contains elements such as "Long Aotian", "Harem" and "Brainless". These elements seem to have become the hallmark of the "toilet paper" animation.
On the map of animation culture, ** occupies a unique position. Unlike cartoonists who need to make their debut through competitions and find publishers to publish their works, **Artists can easily realize their creative dreams through Internet platforms, such as **Home Become **Family). This platform has been operated by Hina Project Co., Ltd. since April 2, 2004, providing authors with a zero-cost and zero-threshold writing environment, so that almost anyone can register as a *** family.
The threshold for creation is relatively low, and it does not require a lot of manpower and financial resources from the studio like galgame. This low threshold characteristic, on the one hand, has greatly promoted the prosperity of the world, and on the other hand, it has also led to the uneven quality of works in the market. Among the many ***s, there are such masterpieces as "Recorded Horizon", "Blessings for a Beautiful World", and "RE: Life in a Different World from Scratch", as well as "Toilet Paper" works such as "The Sage's Grandson", "Super Magician in Another World", and "Wandering in Another World with a Smartphone", which have been criticized for their lack of depth and innovation.
In the vast sea of animation, works in the category of "toilet paper" always seem to struggle to arouse the interest of the audience. These lightly modified animation works are often too stereotypical and formulaic, which makes the audience feel aesthetic fatigue, and even triggers a phenomenon of "impotence" in the two-dimensional world.
Looking back at history, it is not difficult to see that this trend of templating is not the first time. Between 2000 and 2010, in addition to anime adapted from manga, anime adapted by galgame also occupied an important position in the market. Those works that were once all the rage, such as "White Album" and "Glass Before Night", as well as "Clannad" and "Air" by Key Society, were among the best of the era.
Although these galgame adaptations have common characteristics such as multiple heroines, romantic relationships and development, their story lines are usually complete, and the character portrayals are relatively in-depth. Even in the absence of immediate psychological depictions, the work is supplemented by memories or narratives of other characters, giving the viewer a comprehensive understanding of the characters. This kind of visual ** gameplay based on the male perspective makes it easier for the audience to substitute into the story.
However, on the other hand, those who are classified as "toilet paper" often ignore the in-depth portrayal of the characters, and the plot only exists for the pursuit of refreshment. The worldview and character design of these works seem to be only to meet certain expectations of the audience, but lack real emotional and ideological depth. "About Me Being Inadvertently Turned into Scrap by the Angel Next Door" ("The Angel Next Door") is a typical example. Although its animated version was criticized for its lack of psychological depictions and character portrayals, the original *** sold well and even won awards on several *** charts.
The original work successfully shapes the image of the characters through the instant description of the characters' hearts, interactive bridges and past narratives. For example, at the turning point in the relationship between Masashi and Zhou, the two were initially just simple roommates, but as the plot develops, Zhou discovers the problems of Maha's family, as well as the disappointment and helplessness in Maha's eyes. This depiction makes Zhou more aware of the formation of True Day's character, and Zhou's appearance also brings an unprecedented warmth and a feeling of being needed for True Day.
Zhou also had a past of being bullied, and he saw the light of hope in the sincerity and gentleness of Maji. It is through this nuanced psychological description of the characters and the narrative of the past that this work successfully supports the core of the two characters, and also constructs this campus love story of mutual **.
The animation industry is a field that has undergone great changes from the celluloid era to the digital age. From the year of the masterpiece in 2006 to the phenomenon of "toilet paper" all over the sky, we have witnessed the visual impact brought by line art, and also felt the spiritual shock brought by the god-level plot. Osamu Tezuka's 1949 work "Metropolis" is enough to shake people's hearts even today. However, in recent years, these "toilet paper" animations have often gone unnoticed.
Animation from every era has its own unique charm, whether it's a celluloid classic, or an emerging force in the digital age. The phenomenon of "toilet paper" may be a product of this era, in this era full of changes and challenges, let us continue to pay attention to the development of the animation industry, and look forward to more excellent works.