(AfroGamers.com) I’m not the biggest on exposition and characters getting a ton of TV or page time to explain their backstory but I do love lore. There are better ways to go into a character’s backstory and motivations than for everyone to stand around and let them cook. It’s a gripe I’ve always had with anime since becoming a fan in 1995.
Now, when I became a fan backstory and history in anime series was often chopped up into scene-appropriate bits. So, if we take a break from the battle at rest period or when the heat is really on and an attack is being charged, we have enough time for a quick story.
If this story had to be told by anyone other than the narrator, it was often kept brief and the rest might be revisited. This could be done in an episode or two without eating up more than a third of the episode.
Lore Dumping in Anime
Brevity and pacing with lore are probably the only two things I miss from older writing. In series now, it’s not unusual to be lore dumped as the viewer. Now, lore dumping is when you’re hit with a lot of backstory, world building, history, and explanations of power systems all at once.
In writing, the equivalent is the dreaded wall of text. Sure, there’s punctuation in there but this is a firm brick of writing you’ve dropped there, champ. Or while reading a comic, a character talks so much that there are speech bubbles upon speech bubbles.
Oddly, I rarely run into this in comics because it’s a different pacing for the same material. You just have to read and take in the dialogue or narration. Reading speed and comprehension determines how fast you get through a story. Anime pacing is dictated for the viewer because our main involvement is sitting there and watching with our undivided attention.
Explanations can soak in as they were meant to, other characters can react verbally, you can see everyone’s “live” reaction to these revelations. It’s the power of animation. However, there are times when the same source material can go from an enjoyable read that has you craving more story to something that can stop the pace of the episode.
The Prime Example
The prime example for me was the exploration of everyone’s childhoods during the chunin exams in Naruto. It was surprising at first but welcome because I liked the character, then it kept happening. Now, in OG Naruto, lore dumping happened often. First you had the story of Haku and Zabuza where we learned so much about them that they might as well remained on as characters.
Instead, they were first story arc villain deaths. So when we get to the chunin exams, everyone’s chewing up screen time in the anime—which one of these moody teenagers are getting put in the dirt? That was my thought when watching. I mean, Haku and Zabuza not only gave Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura the business for several episodes, we got their backgrounds. You’d think we were going to see them again or that they escaped death. After they were put in the dirt by Team Uzamaki, it was like “Anybody can get it. The writer doesn’t care.”
Something about that is admirable but also unacceptable because of how much time some people get to cook in anime only to end up being killed off. I mean, at least the deaths are rarely anticlimactic. That’s just another middle finger to the reader or viewer.
What are some series or franchises in anime—or beyond—where you’ve been lore dumped? Let us know in the comments. Also, what series or franchises do you recommend that are good with how they handle their lore?
Maybe they don’t dump on the fan? Share your thoughts.
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.