I actually do understand that disconnect. I think that's why I avoided anime for so long. When it comes down to it, I do find it easier to engage with live action characters because they are so...well, for lack of a better word...three dimensional. I don't mean that they're naturally better drawn characters because hello to all the bad writing and acting in so much live action stuff, but live action is more expressive, and huh...closer...more immediate...easier to touch and therefore to feel emotionally. (At least for me). So I do have some intrinsic barrier between me and the characters that has to be overcome when I watch anime, which isn't there with live action. And that's even before the sub/dub issues, which I personally also find distancing. So yeah, even though I'm feeling the fannish urges for it myself, I do have some idea where you're coming from.