What is Anime?
Anime is a style of Japanese animation that is either produced in Japan or influenced by it. The Japanese use the term ” anime ” to describe all cartoons, regardless of their origin. However, outside Japan, “anime” refers to animated movies originating from Japan.
These movies are known for their vibrant graphics, lively characters, and engaging themes such as science fiction, romance, and supernatural elements. In essence, all anime shows are cartoons, but not all cartoons are anime.
The Distinctive Art Style of Anime
The art style associated with anime is unique and easily recognizable. The exaggerated character designs, including large eyes, wild hair, and elongated limbs, allow for more expressive emotions in anime characters. Alongside its distinctive visual appearance, anime captivates viewers with its complex characters and captivating storylines.
The History and Evolution of Anime
Anime has existed for nearly a century, with the first confirmed example, Namakura Gatana, released in 1917.
Over the years, various artists have expanded anime's boundaries and storytelling capabilities across diverse genres. Despite the endless artistry and styles, the production process remains time-consuming, often taking months or even years to complete.
The Creation of Anime
The technical process of creating anime is similar to Western animation but requires significant time and effort. This involves writing, storyboarding, animation, voice acting, and direction, overseen by a team of artists and a director. Even with modern digital tools, the animators' artistic creativity and hard work remain integral to anime production.
Anime's Popularity in the USA
Anime has gained widespread popularity globally, particularly in the USA. It has been enjoyed in America since the 1960s, with the introduction of Speed Racer on American television. Studio Ghibli achieved box office success in the 1990s, culminating in Spirited Away winning a Best Foreign Language Picture Award at the 2001 Academy Awards. The influence of anime has even led to American shows adopting anime-style influences.
The Influence of Anime on Western Animation
The debate on whether American cartoons resembling anime should be considered anime is ongoing. While the consensus is that anime refers specifically to Japanese-produced films, collaborations between American and Japanese artists blur this distinction.