Anime IS important when learning about Japanese culture

When I first started this blog, my first post was that "this is not an anime otaku site", and it isn't - but Anime IS important. Most people who are trying to teach people about Japan intentionally leave out Anime, Manga, Japanese Pop Culture. Anime may not be the main thing to teach someone when teaching about Japanese culture, but it IS important.
Think about our American singers, actors, and everything we have. If you were teaching someone about American culture of course your going to have to mention Lady Gaga's new song or that new movie, "Black Swan". Why? Because if you had no idea what they were, people would become confused very quickly.
If people didn't teach anyone about Anime/Manga, they would go into a Japanese store and wonder what all the strange books, and weird movies were on the shelves.

Everything in a culture is there for a reason,
 "For people saying it doesn't affect the culture at all, they are right but wrong. Anime is part of Japanese culture. Entertainment such as animation, music and film is an important part of many cultures, including Japan. Also, it's not entertainment that affects culture, it's culture that effects entertainment (for the most part.)"
              - Unknown

BONUS!!!!!
Although, learning Japanese from Anime is NOT something you should try to do....
This video isn't mine, it was made by Koichi at Tofugu (http://www.tofugu.com/)

Thanks for reading!