kakoten and soubiless have some intersting argument about seeing slash in everything.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/koutenken/11676.html?#cutid1

http://www.livejournal.com/users/soubiless/31030.html

I agree with judging an anime on its own merits rather than the supposed ghei subtext it contains. However, I would say that wheather a person -after- seeing the series sees the slash or not is another story.

I started watching PoT and GetBackers because I got good recommendations about the two series, and NOT because of the supposed ghei subtext. I didn't know what the characters looked like in PoT and GB. To tell you the truth I didn't even know anything about the two series beyond the fact that PoT was a sports anime, and GB was an adventure series.

Well, I like(d) both of the series. GB, because it got into the storyline damn fast, the characters were reasonably amusing, but it was the plot that carried me through. I still don't see the ghei between Ban and Ginji (but Kazuki and Juubei is so getting it on), and that's my opinion. The reason I stopped watching it is because, well, I think it pretty much sucked after the Mabuex arc, and the manga is just not sufficiently interesting enough to keep me watching it.

PoT, I like because it's funny, it's characters are truly different and unique. Oh alright, the whole cast is cracked, but that's what I love about the series. I can see the slash, but it is not important for me in liking the series.

I see no problem with seeing slash. BUT I do make the distinction, that yes, it's all in my head, and no, most people probably don't see it. I understand that, I'm fine with that. I don't feel bad about it because I don't watch the series for the ghei, I watch because I care for the characters, and because of the story. If it has crappy characterisation and bad plot I'd drop it like a tonne of brick. Yes, I admit I was suckered in by the pretty that is YnM and DNAngel, but I quickly discovered my mistake, and look, I'm not following them anymore, am I? Actually, while we're on that tangent, anyone interested in buying DNANgel off me? ^^;;;

I don't see a problem with seeing slash potential in anime/manga/whatever after you've seen it. I DO see a problem with people making a judgement about a series SOLELY based on the fact whether the series contains slash subtext or not.

On that note, it also piss me off that there are people who only watch anime, or consider it to be the best just because it has pretty guys, or pretty artwork. I like my entertainment because I'd like to think they have wonderful characters and good plots.

The slash-subtext I see does NOT make a series for me. If it did I'd still be watching/reading YnM.

So, you people, go and watch Hajime no Ippo, and Berserk. The former, because it's just such a cool sports anime series (good fights, really good fights, lovable main character, and really cool rivals). The latter because the storyline is amazing, the characterisation is superb. (plug, plug, plug).