Why anime is more
popular now than ever
By John-Michael Bond, Tech reporter
and Culture Writer for Daily Dot.
For decades anime was only the domain of die-hard genre fans
that brought more series to American shores, anime is bigger than
ever. But what is anime, and how did it get so popular?
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a neophyte looking to get
your feet wet, every anime fan probably has a few questions about
its history. Here’s a guide to the basics.
What is Anime?
In its most basic form, anime refers to animation. Interestingly
enough, the name itself isn’t an abbreviation of the English word an-
To a Japanese viewer, anime is any cartoon, whether it’s made in
Japan or not. Outside of Japan, however, the term anime has come
show or movie that uses signature aspects of Japanese-style animation,
like vibrant colors, dramatic panning, and characteristic facial
entertainment, especially for adults. In Japan, however, anime is a
culturally accepted and fairly basic form of entertainment for adults.
This difference means that anime contains multitudes, with content
produced for a wide range of viewers. From drama, action, and ro-
anime to match any taste.
Anime for Kids
Just because it’s animated doesn’t mean it’s for kids. Like any
form of art or entertainment, it’s up to parents to deem what’s ap-
require ratings for all the anime titles it carries.
If you’re worried about the anime content your children are
of a particular feature. Fanservice shows often feature gratuitous titillation,
nudity, or peek-a-boo underwear shots. Most of the time,
issue, but it’s always good to be aware.
How Has Anime Culture Taken Root in America?
like Astro Boy and Gigantor. Other titles slowly made their way into
-
toon-loving kids of the ’80s by storm.
-
gates, introducing viewers to movies like My Neighbor Totoro and
anime blocks. Anime TV movies were aimed at both children and
adults, inspiring fans of Akira and Dragon Ball alike.
bleed into everyday life in the music, video games, and big-budget
Hollywood movies people consume day to day. Even well-known
rap artists over the years have referenced or homaged Dragon Ball Z
Manga vs Anime
Manga are Japanese comic books, which often serve as the inspiration
for an anime series. While in America manga refers only
-
ready a fan of both anime and comic books, or simply anime and
reading, consider adding a manga series to your reading list. There
are plenty of enthralling options to choose from.
Anime Genres
alone. But anime encompasses a diverse range of storytelling styles,
from horror to romance and everything in between. Here’s a brief
crash course in just a few of the numerous genres that call anime
home.
Horror - Japan has a rich history full of monsters and ghosts.
like Attack on Titan to the gore-soaked insanity of Tokyo Ghoul.
Romance - Love is a language every culture speaks, and plenty
of anime companies have brought their romantic delights to American
shores. Romance anime titles usually fall into two categories,
comedy, and drama.
Mecha -
of the genre, thanks to the Robotech invasion of the ’80s. The tra-
-
Fantasy -
-
tion. Paprika is a spellbinding tale of scientists investigating human
dreams, pushing beyond the imagery live action effects can pull off
to build an artistic tour de force. Looking for a story with less chaos
and more nuance? Colorful won the 34th Japanese Academy Prize
for Excellence in Animation, by using fantasy to explore humanity’s
relationship with death.
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