I think that is no such thread before so i decided 2 make it.

Actually the very popular anime not definitely is the very nice artwork like initial D,GTO,Slam Dunk...maybe what i say is the character design(their appearance)

so what elements lead to their success?i always wonder...

Many people who watches anime mainly depicts on the storyline, and how good's the show. Like u said, Slam dunk is not above average in graphics but the anime's good. But people mainly look at the reviews first before watching it. Unless they're Otakus who just download random anime and just watch it
thats my point of view, not sure if its correct. btw initial D has pretty good graphics(4th stage)

it's the story, character, genre, drawing style, age suitage and some other minor factors like availability affect the popularity of the anime. i guess it'd be pretty shallow if the ratings and/or success only depended on the illustrations..

It's all about the story baby and among the best writers out there the lesser god-conduits of Japan are the best why do you think I refer to them as lesser gods? The sad thing is no one really puts any effort into making a story good and Japan is in my eyes the last of the great movie script and series writers. I'm not really that depressed at all actually...because for as long as there is a constant flow of fresh and even old Anime and Manga I will be happy and won't have to go nuclear on anyone's ass.

If the story is good and original why not be liked. I think all of us are bored with the same boring story lines. If an anime with good graphics have a boring, same-going plot no one will like it. The graphics are not the most important thing in anime. The most important thing is the story and the way its going on.

its the story. not the art. and the art can always be redrawn. its the originality of teh storyline. original storylines are hard to come across

Good art is easy to find, you kick a rock and thousand of mangas/animes with good art appear. But if there isn't a plot and good characters to go with it, the anime won't be worth much.
I like better a good plot and well developed characters than pretty art. Of course, having both is the best.

I guess whats you're definition of good/best art? Do you prefer handdrawn or CG or some combination in between. Due you like any particular artist?

well If you think about the ones that have really detailed artwork they aren't that animated and that kind of makes it boring but anime that has a not so detailed artwork has really cool animation like FLCL I love the animation in that anime it think that is one of the best.

People like plot, not how it looks. It's comparable to video games, and how many people say the older games were better, since they were less focused on graphics and more focused on stories. I think having good artwork just cements an anime to be a good one.

because they're not made to be good, they're made to entertain the crowds
and no one stops to think about it at all.
people are just puppets while doing what everyone does.

Good point, lets take Inyuasha and Naruto for example. they are really stupid, insulting, over rated animes that are loved by millions everywhere (except me) and yet the artwork is pathetic. it makes me sick.

i think it's because the animation isn't the only basis for determining whether it's the best. i think it's important, but so are the character development, plot evolution, and voice acting for example.

Some of the worst animes ever also have crappy artwork too, but when something original or innovative comes out, people are drawn to it, even if it isn't drawn well

to awnser the main queston whats the point in a preetey face whith no brain?

You can hide a bad story with good artwork, but you sure can't hide a bad story with bad artwork. That's why they have to go out of their ways to make a good story.

Quote by SunSpotsGood point, lets take Inyuasha and Naruto for example. they are really stupid, insulting, over rated animes that are loved by millions everywhere (except me) and yet the artwork is pathetic. it makes me sick.

I really agree with u.I can't accept bad artwork,2 me it jz too simple~
n i don't think Naruto plot is so good,dat's why i don't understand why there still a lot of people like it.Yes,i prefer detailed artwork but i oso need good storyline(such a perfectionist ) but if u say the most important is storyline n artwork is ok then i think u better jz go n read storybook...

All of your points are good. But I think it should be like this: Both artwork, and storyline (plot) helps on getting a specific title popular. There are 3 steps needs to be taken for a title to become popular:

1. Promotion (trailers, posters, synopsis, etc.)
2. Good plot throughout the series
3. Retain audience interests by getting out sequels, ovas, etc.

And the promotion can be divided into 3 cases:

1. One might see the advertisement or poster of a title first before they see the anime or even the review/synopsis.

2. On the other hand, one might also look at the review/synopsis first before they see/read the title.

3. Last but certainly not least, one might see/read the title first before they ever see other stuff related to the title.

Then, after the initial introduction of a title to a person, the plot will come in to retain their interests in that title in the future.

So, according to me, both are really important in getting a title really popular. If only one side is strong it is possible to make it overly popular, but most of the time it's not a sure shot, unless they pick a theme that a lot of people really like. But by making both the storyline and the artwork really great, it can achieve a more greater popularity, like Rurouni Kenshin (would like to give other examples, but can't think of another one atm).

So that's my one cent on the matter.

Peace! 8)

sh

Hear, hear..
I was kind of put off initially by Slam Dunk because of the dodgy colours and art. That is until I perservered and discovered its brilliance in comedy and plot. Since then I've rewatched it several times, each time still making me laugh. So I guess 'pretty' animes may attract us at first, but like everyone's said, in the end you are really looking for the depth in the storyline and characterisation to keep you interested.

I think the story of a anime is more important than artwork .
Of course , artwork is important too .

I'm more of a I don't like anime unless the art is good. Most people value the story and the entertainment of an anime. I actually really want to watch GTO now, I heard it's wicked funny.

GTO great show...
anyways i belive ti to be same with rpgs go for story not graphics, sure graphics help but whats the point if theres no story behind it

You have to consider that the popular ones now were probably not always expected to be this popular. Thus, funding for their project might have limited their artistic productions. But when you mentioned Slam Dunk, I just felt the art wasn't to par because it was so old. The art can change through time, and tastes can change as well. Maybe the art back then was actually well done. But like others have mentioned art is not the most important part, as long as it's moderately pleasing to the eyes, then that's all that matters. It's the storyline/characters/etc. that really matter in any anime.

this is more about taste really. for slam dunk it might be more about "time".

i dont really care for Abe's work (aside from this one lain pic) but it has its fans.
clamp is another style i dont really care for. *gets stoned by clamp fans*