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What is Anime
The term Anime is an abbreviation of the word animation.
In English, main dictionary sources define anime as "a Japanese style of
motion-picture animation" or "a style of animation developed in Japan".
Since anime or animēshon is used to describe all forms of animation,
Japanimation is used to distinguish Japanese work from that of the rest of
the world.
In more recent years, anime has also frequently been referred to as
manga in
European countries, a practice that may stem from the Japanese usage: In
Japan, manga can refer to both animation and comics (although it is mainly
non-fans that refer to manga as animation).
Anime often draws influence from manga, light novels, and other cultures.
Anime can be broadcast on television and is widely distributed via any form
of media presentations, such as DVD, video and the internet. Anime is
sometimes referred to as Japanimation, but this term has fallen into disuse
When it comes to the countries that are outside of Japan, the word is known
to most popularly refer to the animation that originates in Japan.
However, if you travel to the west you will find that the word anime is not
always considered as referring to animation but it is thought to be a subset
of animation.
Anime is available outside of Japan in localized form. Anime has also been a
commercial success in most major countries in the world and in some
countries it is even more popular than it is in the United States.
Anime features a wide variety of artistic styles. There is some anime that
is drawn by hand however there is also some that is computer assisted
animation which has actually became very popular over the years.
Anime or manga tends to be targeted at teenage or young male adults. Anime
is often considered a form of limited animation. When it comes to anime, it
is just like any other entertainment medium in which the actual story lines
are used to actually represent the major genres of the actual fiction.
There are many ways that you can watch anime because of the fact that it is
broadcasted on television as well as distributed on media that is often
known as DVD as well as VHS and it is also included in the video games that
are played by adults as well as children.
There is some anime that is even produced as motion pictures that are full
length. It is known that anime actually draws its influence from what are
known as manga as well as light novels and certain other cultures as well.
There have also been some anime storylines that have actually been adapted
into what is known as live action films as well as television series.
The actual history of anime is known to have begun in the very beginning of
the twentieth century. This was the actual time that the Japanese filmmakers
were experimenting with the techniques of animation. This type of animation
was also at that time being experimented with in other countries such as
France and Germany as well as Russia and the United States as well.
As a result of this work and that of other pioneers in the field, anime
developed characteristics and genres that are fundamental elements of the
art today.
Anime became very popular in Japan because it provided an alternative outlet
for the art of storytelling. In sharp contrast when compared to the
undeveloped industry of live action that was currently being used within
Japan.
In the United States as that time the live action industry had a generous
budget, whereas the country of Japan had a small market and they also
suffered from budgeting problems as well as location and not to mention the
restrictions that were placed on the casting.
Anime-influenced animation refers to non-Japanese works of animation that
emulate the visual style of anime. Some authorities say that Anime is
closely related to the Japanese comics, called manga. Anime also tends to
borrow many elements from manga including text in the background, and
borrowing panel layouts from the manga as well.
Many anime series got their start as popular manga. Anime is often thought
provoking and provides an excellent foundation for raising important issues
with your children. Some anime storylines have been adapted into live action
films and television series
Anime burst onto the scene in September of 1963, when NBC syndicated a
dubbed version of the Japanese series Astro Boy. Robot anime like Gundam and
Macross became instant classics in the 80s, and the robot genre of anime is
still one of the most heard of in Japan and worldwide today.
In the 1980s, anime was accepted in the mainstream in Japan, and experienced
a boom in production (It should be noticed that, manga has significantly
more mainstream exposure than anime in Japan). The mid-to-late '90s, on into
the 2000s, saw an increased acceptance of anime in overseas markets.
There are many books available that can help in perfecting the anime drawing
style. Such books come complete with information and instructions on the
styles used in anime.
A common approach is the large eyes style drawn on many anime and manga
characters, credited to the influence of Osamu Tezuka, who was inspired by
the exaggerated features of American cartoon characters such as Betty Boop
and Mickey Mouse and from Disney's Bambi.
Many western audiences associate anime with large detailed eyes because the
majority of shounen or boy comics and shoujo young girl comics depict their
characters with large eyes.
Other stylistic elements are common as well; often in comedic anime,
characters that are shocked or surprised will perform a "face fault", in
which they display an extremely exaggerated expression.
In anime the lines are often influenced more from a stylistic look from
brushwork, rather than that of the calligrapher's pen. This is best
demonstrated in the anime Karekano.
The anime may also be edited to alter cultural references that may not be
understood by a non-Japanese person and certain companies may remove what
may be perceived as objectionable content.
Anime also provides a window into another culture. Anime seems to function
very effectively as a cultural ambassador.
Anime has a very large following on the internet, especially in the majority
of English speaking countries.
About the Author
Jim Moore comes from a background in engineering and financial services
software. Jim has spent the last 20 years as a professional writer working
for some of the world's largest companies.
http://www.squidoo.com/animeinfo.
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