I like different anime for different reasons. Much the same way that I like different movies for different reasons. Overall though I would say it's the hyper-realism of most anime that draws me in. Beyond that are a whole host of other reasons but each one really only pertains to specific anime.

Because it's an inexpensive form to produce compared to live action for those that like SF and fantasy there's tons to choose from for all ages and tastes. And there aren't that many alternatives unless you want to pick up a book.

Q. What do you call a 36DD 15 year old girl in an anime.
A. Flat chested.

I've thought about this a lot - I didn't become an anime fan overnight, for sure.

I like that anime is generally finite. Too many regular TV shows have no end in sight and season after season the writers struggle to one-up themselves, losing sight of the reality of the characters, setting, etc. I like that anime has a set goal and framework in which we're able to have strong and dynamic character development and relations and complex, unique, interesting plots without the lose ends. Or sometimes, we can have complete and utter nonsense that makes us laugh despite ourselves.

I also like that anime is so inventive and creative - there are so many interesting worlds that have been made that people (at least in the West) don't seem to go for in live-action television. And because it is drawn, anything can be created where some, say, sci-fi shows have to rely on props or CGI that just end up looking cheezy.

Anime isn't without its setbacks (there are a lot of stereotypical archetypes, lots of gender stereotypes, fan service, lack of realistic LGBTI characters) but what I do like about it makes up for most of it. ;)

It's an escape. Pure and simple.

A big appeal for me is the artwork. You can see the classical Japanese style in a lot of them.

The biggest factor is that they're more "cerebral" than most of the US cartoons, which are usually mindless and brainless with 3rd grade level bathroom humor. Anime makes you think. The characters think. Some of them are heavily philosophical.

And they're just plain fun.

WW

I like animation, but i'm not a kid anymore. Japan has one of the largest mainstream animation cultures in the world catering to a wide variety of folk. Unfortunately, the formulas aren't quite as diverse as they maybe could be. I'm glad that animie isn't the only animation, but there is a lot of anime I appreciate.

Even children's shows in Japan usually don't pander to the lowest common denominator as they do over here. I think that's one of the things that has kept me into anime for so long. What drew me in was that at first it was so "foreign," so fresh and new and unlike anything I'd ever seen before. There was always soemthing new to surprise me.

Why not? Anime is just like our movies only made in japan