An introduction to a distinct style of animation.
Anime, or Japanese cartoons, are finding strong popularity in America. Here's a jaunt into the world of anime.
1: What is Anime?
Definition
The most simple explanation of anime is that it is a Japanese cartoon. In the United States, anime cartoons are cartoons made in Japan in the anime style.Wikipedia describes anime as: "an abbreviation of the word 'animation'. Outside Japan, the term most popularly refers to animation originating in Japan. To the West, not all animation is considered anime; and anime is considered subset of animation."
SCIFIPEDIA states that anime is: "animated entertainment rendered in the style developed by Japanese studios, much of it derived from manga comic books."
2: Anime Timeline
History
1970's:Notable animes: Heidi, Girl of the Alps, Gatchaman, Mobile Suit Gundam.
The sudden shift of young directors into the anime industry creates an atmosphere of experimentation.
1980's:
Notable animes: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Megazone 23, Kiki's Delivery Service, Akira.
The anime otaku (anime fan/ fanboy) subculture develops in Japan and eventually spreads to the United States via science fiction conventions and the international popularity of Akira. The first OVA (direct to video) anime, Dallo, is released.
1990's:
Notable animes: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon, Ghost in the Shell, Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon.
Neon Genesis Evangelion recieves attention because of its controversy. The 1990's saw the rise of arguably the two most known and popular animes: Pokémon and Dragon Ball Z.
2000's:
Notable animes: Inuyasha, Paranoia Agent, FLCL (Fooly Cooly), Ghost in the Shell 2: Stand Alone Complex, Naruto.
The United States adaptations of Cardcaptor Sakura are so bad that it creates hostility in the fan community giving rise to "Cardcraptor" Websites.
Anime is accepted throughout the world. Cowboy Bebop is popular throughout the West. Wikipedia states that "Spirited Away shared the first prize at the 2002 Berlin Film Festival and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003, and Oshii's Innocence: Ghost in the Shell was featured at the 2004 Cannes Film."
3: Subtle and Obvious Elements of Anime
Style
There are unique style elements in anime. Obvious elements include drawing style, structure, and plot.The obvious styles of anime are the big eyes of characters, the exaggerated emotional outbursts, submissive women, and crazy hair. Let's not forget about cute side-kicks and really big boo- er, plotlines. There seems to be a lot of amnesiacs in anime, also. Animes also tend to have very detailed backgrounds and surroundings.
Animes share a plot style with manga in which characters start out small, not powerful, but special. As the plot continues over many issues or episodes, the anime/ manga hero defeats opponents that in turn become allies and freinds. This is in opposition to Western animations, where plots are only one episode long and the bad guys stay the bad guys.
More subtle styles elements include symbolism, movement styles, color, and shading. Many of the unique anime elements that are taken for granted, such as symbolic emotional signs, are the result of animators searching for efficiency and time-saving procedures.
4: Different Types of Anime
Subgenres
There are different ways to categorize animes- by plot types, style elements, appeal, and so on. Here's a small list of anime types.
- Ecchi: Sexy or naughty anime. Sometimes interchanged with "hentai" anime, which is pornographic animation.
- Harem: This subgenre of anime and manga usually features one male protagonist and several female protagonists. The male has different kinds of relationships with each of the females. Less common, harem animes can feature one girl and several boys.
- Maho: Magical Girl; a type of shonjo that has a magical being, a girl given magical powers, or a girl with a magical device as a protagonist.
- Mecha: Big fighting robots- people love 'em. This genre features fighting robots, robot armor, and transforming robots.
- School: Or School Life, this genre focuses on the trials of school in Japan. Usually a shojo.
- Shojo: This type of anime is aimed at girls and can take on many different forms, from science fiction to historical drama. Typical are romantic elements and flowery forms. The protagonist tends to be female.
- Shonen: This type of anime is aimed at boys. Many different kinds of anime can be shonen. Shonen tend to have high action, male protagonists, and lots of fights.
- Bishonen: Beautiful boy or androgenous lead character. It could also refer to a female that has bishonen traits.
- ... and everything else. Anime subgenres are like Western literature genres: horror, comedy, western, historic, science fiction, fantasy, cyberpunk, steampunk, martial arts, sports, and so on.
4.1: Examples of Shojo Animes
Different kinds of shojos.
Shojo refers to animes targeted to girls, and is very general.
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play: OVA Box
Subgenres: bishonen
Release Date: 06/05/2001
Avg. Customer Rating: 
My-Hime, Volume 1 (Special Edition)
Subgenres: comedy, fantasy
Release Date: 03/28/2006
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Sailor Moon S - The Complete Uncut TV Set
Subgenres: maho, romance, fantasy
Release Date: 07/06/2004
Avg. Customer Rating:
4.2: Examples of Shonen Animes
Different kinds of shonen.
The term "shonen" is very general and can include all kinds of subgenres.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Collection
Subgenres: mecha, post-apocalyptic, science fiction
Release Date: 11/22/2005
Avg. Customer Rating:
Paranoia Agent - Enter Lil Slugger (Vol. 1)
Subgenres: psychological, mystery, dark comedy
Release Date: 10/26/2004
Avg. Customer Rating: 
5: Favorites
My favorites... and yours!
How to use this Plexo: This list includes my favorite anime shows, movies, and OVAs. If you agree with a selection, click up; disagree, click down (can't go lower than zero). Also, you can add your own favorites! (No hentai.)The list is populated from Amazon.com.
6: Feedback
Questions, concerns, comments, and cosplay tips.
Did we miss something? Did we do something right? Let us know.
Comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Please submit once.
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- Inuyasha-Episodes Inuyasha-Episodes Dec 13, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
- Great lens, you did a great job defining what anime is to those of us that were wondering
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Reply
- Feydakin Feydakin Dec 13, 2008 @ 10:50 am
- I added you to my Prince Planet Lensroll.. 1960s black and white anime.. It might make a decent entry in your time line.
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Reply
- DerekPadula DerekPadula Oct 4, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
- This is actually a pretty good synopsis of anime in general, great job. I would also mention Shonen Jump, Viz, Tokyopop, and manga's success in America, along with FUNimations success on TV with Dragonball on Cartoon Network.
Want More?
If you want to learn more about anime, visit CaliMar's Anime Fandom lens.
Amazon
Shonen Jump: Naruto Rapid Attack Gloves
Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 12/26/2009) 
Naruto Shippuden: Box Set 1
Amazon Price: $28.99 (as of 12/26/2009)
by PaxLamprey
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