Japanese anime is a style of animation that has been around for decades, and it has gained immense popularity worldwide. It is known for its unique art style, compelling storylines, and deep characters. Anime has become a beloved genre of entertainment, with fans all over the world.
From classic series like Dragon Ball Z to modern favorites like My Hero Academia, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the world of Japanese anime. Here are some amazing facts about anime.
Difference Between Anime and Cartoons
Anime and cartoons are both forms of animation, but there are some key differences between the two. Cartoons are typically aimed at younger audiences, while anime has a much wider range of target audiences and can include stories aimed at adults.
Cartoons tend to have simpler stories, with a focus on comedy and entertainment. Anime, on the other hand, often tells more complex stories with deeper themes and more mature content. Many anime series also feature characters with detailed designs that look more realistic than those found in cartoons.
The animation styles of anime and cartoons also differ significantly. Cartoons usually feature bright colors and exaggerated movements, while anime often has more muted tones and realistic movements. In addition, the storytelling techniques used in anime often rely heavily on symbolism and metaphors to convey a message or emotion.
The First Ever Anime to Reach the World
Astro Boy, known in Japan by its original name Mighty Atom, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka from 1952 to 1968. The story follows the adventures of an android named Astro Boy and a selection of other characters. It was adapted into the first popular animated Japanese television series in 1963 and is regarded as a classic of anime.
The series follows Astro Boy, an android created by the head of the Ministry of Science, Doctor Tenma. After his creator rejects him for not being human enough, Astro embarks on a journey to find acceptance and discover who he is. He befriends many characters along the way, including a robotic girl named Uran, and battles evil robots created by humans with his super strength, jet-powered feet, and arm cannons.
Astro Boy’s themes explore complex issues such as human nature, ethics, and morality, while also incorporating elements of science fiction and fantasy. The series has been praised for its art style, humor, and action sequences. It has also been credited with helping to popularize manga and anime outside of Japan.
Studio Ghibli Is One of the Most Famous and Influential Anime Studios
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1985. It has become a major influence in the anime industry and is responsible for some of the most iconic and beloved anime films of all time. From My Neighbor Totoro to Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli has consistently produced high-quality works that have captivated audiences around the world.
The studio’s films are known for their lush visuals, strong characters, and beautiful music. The stories are often about ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations and must rely on their courage, creativity, and kindness to survive. This theme of overcoming obstacles is a recurring one throughout the studio’s works and has become an important part of the anime genre as a whole.
Studio Ghibli continues to be an important part of the anime industry today. Its influence can be felt not only through its own works but also through its many imitators who strive to capture some of its unique charm and magic in their own creations.
How Japanese Production Companies Produce Anime
Japan is renowned for its high-quality and prolific anime production. Every year, the country releases hundreds of new anime series, films, and shorts for viewers around the world to enjoy.
The production process of anime starts with the original concept. Writers create a storyboard and script for the show, which is then handed off to the animation studio. Here, animators create all of the visual assets for the show—from characters to backgrounds—using computer-aided design software until everything is up to par with industry standards.
Japan’s unique culture has played a large role in its success as an anime producer. Not only does it have a deep appreciation for art and storytelling, but its strong foundations in technology have enabled it to create some of the most visually stunning shows ever made. Thanks to Japan’s dedication to producing quality anime content regularly, fans from all over the world can enjoy some truly amazing stories and visuals every year.
Japanese Animators Have Won Multiple Awards for Their Works
One of the most awarded Japanese anime is Spirited Away which was released in 2001 and won over 40 awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
The film follows a young girl who must save her parents after they are turned into pigs by an evil witch. Spirited Away has been praised for its beautiful animation, inventive storytelling, and unique characters and became the first and only non-English language film to win that award.
Another highly acclaimed Japanese anime is My Neighbor Totoro which was released in 1988. This Miyazaki classic tells the story of two sisters who move to a rural village with their father and discover magical creatures living nearby. It has won numerous awards, including the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year in 1989 and the Mainichi Film Award for Best Animation Film in 1988.
Most Popular Anime in the World
The most popular anime in the world is without a doubt Dragon Ball Z. It is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. The series follows the adventures of the protagonist, Son Goku, and his companions as they battle a variety of villains.
The popularity of Dragon Ball Z has grown exponentially over the years, with its story being adapted into multiple films, television shows, video games, and more. It has become one of the most recognizable anime franchises in the world, with its characters appearing on countless merchandise items such as t-shirts, toys, and collectibles.
Dragon Ball Z has earned critical acclaim for its complex story arcs and characters. Its action-packed fights have become iconic among fans around the world, who often recreate them in their own live-action films or fan art. The anime also features strong themes of loyalty and friendship that resonates with viewers of all ages.
The Big 3
The Big 3 are some of the most successful and influential anime ever made in Japan. They have all achieved immense popularity in Japan as well as a worldwide success due to their well-developed storylines and characters that capture viewers’ imaginations.
Naruto is an action-adventure series created by Masashi Kishimoto. It follows the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who dreams of becoming the leader of his village. The series has become one of the most popular anime in Japan and has spawned numerous spin-offs, games, movies, and merchandise.
Bleach is an action-adventure series created by Tite Kubo. It follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student who gains spiritual powers after coming into contact with a Soul Reaper. And thirdly, One Piece is an action-adventure series created by Eiichiro Oda. It follows the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate who dreams of becoming King of the Pirates.
Longest-Running Anime in the World
The longest-running anime in the world is Sazae-san, which began airing on October 5, 1969, and continues to air today. With over 7,500 episodes aired since its debut over 50 years ago, it is still one of the most popular anime series in Japan today.
The series follows the everyday life of a family living in the fictional city of Kamiooka, Japan. It centers around the titular character Sazae, a young woman who works as an office lady and lives with her parents, brother, husband, and children.
The show is known for its traditional Japanese style of animation and its unique approach to storytelling. It often uses humor to tell stories about everyday life, relationships, and family issues.
Pokémon’s Worldwide Popularity
Pokémon is a beloved franchise that has been around for over two decades and has become one of the most popular franchises in the world. It’s estimated that over 300 million people play Pokémon games worldwide, and the franchise has spawned countless movies, TV shows, books, comics, and more.
The popularity of Pokémon can be attributed to its strong characters and storylines that are easy to follow. The games are also incredibly accessible as they are available on many platforms including handheld consoles, mobile devices, and PCs.
The franchise has also spawned a variety of merchandise including figures, plush toys, clothing, accessories, and more.
A Lot of Your Favorite Animes Are Banned in China
China has strict censorship laws which extend to anime. Popular anime series such as Attack on Titan, Death Note, Parasyte, Elfen Lied, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Tokyo Ghoul have all been banned in China due to their depictions of violence, supernatural elements, and mature themes.
Despite fans’ disappointment, these regulations are in place to protect viewers from potentially harmful content. The graphic violence and gory scenes featured in Attack on Titan were deemed too extreme for Chinese viewers.
Religion and occultism featured in Fullmetal Alchemist go against Chinese government regulations. Tokyo Ghoul contains scenes of violence and horror that were deemed unsuitable for Chinese audiences. These are just some of the reasons why a lot of popular anime titles are not available for viewing within its borders.
Conclusion
Japanese anime has become an incredibly popular form of entertainment in both Japan and around the world. It has a unique style that appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds, and its storytelling techniques often captivate viewers with its complex plots, engaging characters, and beautiful visuals.
As more people become aware of anime, it will continue to grow in popularity and be a source of creative inspiration for generations to come.