| Introduction | | | | device to tease, trick, or take a person by |
| | | | surprise". It implies that these dolls are |
| On a Friday night after a long week of | | | | driven by hidden magic, offering an element |
| diligent work, Mrs. Thompson, a mother of two | | | | of mystery. Voltron, Trigun, and Macross 7 |
| young boys, decided to go to the video store | | | | are shows that display Japan's fascinating |
| to rent some cartoons so the family can spend | | | | imagination with science-fiction and |
| some quality time together. She does not know | | | | machines, and is not surprising to see that |
| exactly what they like, but she does have a | | | | they have gained a lot of attention from |
| general idea of their tastes. Ninjas, cars, | | | | American fans. Besides this science-fiction |
| robots and monsters right? How hard can it | | | | genre, there are also stories that deals with |
| be? As she walked down the long aisles of | | | | things closer to home like school, baseball, |
| movies, she stumbled upon a cartoon called | | | | and or swimming, but also with a twist. A boy |
| Ninja Scroll. "Oh perfect!" she thought, "the | | | | lives an ordinary life when one day he meets |
| kids will love this!" Without thinking twice | | | | a female alien, changing his life forever |
| regarding what the movie is actually about, | | | | FLCL, Onegai Teacher, Shingetsutan Tsukihime. |
| she paid at the front desk and rushed back | | | | With plot lines like this one and many |
| home to prepare dinner. After having a | | | | others, anime makes a connection from the |
| filling meal, everyone gathered in front of | | | | familiar to the unfamiliar, the norm to the |
| their 50" plasma TV and Mrs. Johnson popped | | | | supernatural. |
| in the DVD. Little did she know, this | | | | |
| animated feature was the most violent, gory | | | | Other common plot lines might revolve around |
| and sexually explicit film she has ever seen. | | | | historic references, adding depth and |
| She had to stop the movie half way because | | | | intellect to the anime. On August 6 and 9, |
| her two sons were shocked in fear. She felt | | | | 1945, the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki |
| that this quality family time she had planned | | | | were annihilated by the first atomic bombs |
| for was ruined . "Who would make such a | | | | ever used in warfare history. With such dark |
| disgusting and horrific cartoon?!" she | | | | history written down in Japanse history, many |
| yelled. | | | | anime titles depicted the horrific use of |
| | | | such weapons of mass destruction. It is a |
| This "disgusting" and "horrific" cartoon that | | | | subconsciously embedded in the japanese |
| Mrs. Thompson has a grudge against falls | | | | mind-set. An magnanimous semi circle engulfs |
| under a genre of imported media called | | | | the city of neo-Tokyo in Akira , house and |
| Japanese Animation, or more commonly known as | | | | trees are torn from its roots from the |
| "anime" (sometimes also written as "animé" | | | | shockwave of the blast in FLCL, and the ever |
| as a French word). Anime is a sophisticated | | | | so infamous mushroom cloud appears in the |
| form of animated art that originate from | | | | distant horizon in the first episode of Neon |
| Japan during the world war eras. Anime is a | | | | Genesis Evangelion. To the Japanese, anime is |
| whole new world of televised media. Some | | | | a good way to remind themselves and the world |
| titles are specifically made for kids, but | | | | how deadly these weapons really are should |
| there is also a vast selection for the more | | | | never be used. A major difference in story |
| sophisticated and mature minds. The | | | | telling between American cartoons and anime |
| misconception of anime being simply another | | | | is characterization. An anime expert on |
| kind of cartoon targeted at the younger | | | | AnimeNation explains: |
| audience, who wakes up every Saturday morning | | | | |
| and turns on Kids WB, is very common among | | | | "American cartoons will place characters in |
| Americans, but during the past ten years, | | | | the situation. Anime places situations around |
| Japanese Animation and other forms of modern | | | | characters. Many anime shows have a |
| Japanese art have greatly influenced the | | | | continuing story, while very nearly all |
| American culture and is becoming more and | | | | American cartoons are episodic, created |
| more accepted into the mainstream media. It | | | | specifically to be a series of individual, |
| is a genre that is always pushing the | | | | stand -alone stories rather than small pieces |
| standards and boundaries and will never cease | | | | of a whole. Even in the case of anime series' |
| to amaze its fans. | | | | that are episodic, the characters develop and |
| | | | change from episode to episode. Anime, |
| The History | | | | therefore, engenders more personal |
| | | | involvement between the show and the viewer |
| Motions pictures and animated features began | | | | than typical American cartoons do". |
| to appear during the early 20th century. | | | | |
| Japanese artists and animators did not | | | | Cartoons like Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, |
| however start experimenting with animation | | | | Thundercats, and Powerpuff Girls all show |
| until 1914, primarily due to the fact that | | | | individual episodes that have no connections |
| western studios dominated the cartoon field. | | | | with the previous or proceeding one. All the |
| Walt Disney, creator of Mickey Mouse and | | | | characters are to go on without change, |
| Donald Duck, and the Fleischer Brothers, | | | | throughout the every single episode. |
| creators of Popeye the Sailor and Superman, | | | | Characters in Anime, on the other hand, |
| have brought some of the most well known | | | | change dramatically as a result of the |
| characters to life with their masterful works | | | | situation and their relationships with |
| that set the bar for what "cartoons" should | | | | others. A story is told through a length of |
| be. Japan's involvement in creating animated | | | | many episodes, developing the character and |
| films was rather slow. This was probably | | | | giving character depth as each episode |
| influenced by just having came out of its | | | | progresses. Alia, an anime enthusiast with |
| global isolationism that the country invoked | | | | her own website furthers the point: |
| upon itself (over 50 years ago). When Japan | | | | |
| was in its post WWII stage, a man by the name | | | | "The best animes make their characters real, |
| of Osamu Tezuka worked in a factory and was | | | | with real human emotions that never seem out |
| heavily influenced by the early works Walt | | | | of place for the character. Anime creators |
| Disney and the Fleischer Brothers. As he | | | | take great pains in making their characters |
| tried to draw his own original characters by | | | | fully developed and defined individuals, with |
| trying to imitate the two western styles, he | | | | their own conflicts and flaws". |
| found great popularity and respect among his | | | | |
| co-workers. In 1947, Tezuka gained much | | | | Sometimes, the characters can be spontaneous |
| attention with his novel-length drawn | | | | and do unexpected things. This is in direct |
| stories. However, in 1963, the work that | | | | correlation with their personalities, just |
| would define and give birth to the anime | | | | like in real life. Thus, many anime fans |
| medium was his internationally successful | | | | watch anime because it lets them imagine the |
| animation series called Testuwan Atom, or | | | | reality of the characters and escape to their |
| Astro Boy. His pursuit in animation crowned | | | | world , rather than seeing actors and actress |
| him the title of being the pioneer of anime | | | | in a live action movie acting and pretending |
| and graphic novels, known as manga. | | | | someone they are not. |
| | | | |
| As Tezuka and his studio paved the road for | | | | Music is also very important to the world of |
| Japanese animation, the 1970s saw a change | | | | anime. Many times, it is a tool to help |
| and growth in this form of entertainment. | | | | further the characterization of the show. In |
| Trends started to appear in various works by | | | | Love Hina, a show about a college-bound |
| various studios. These trends were passed | | | | student living in a all-girl resident, each |
| down the generations and are present in | | | | character had its own theme song, depicting |
| today's anime. One of the most influential | | | | their personalities. The songs would vary in |
| trends is the "mecha" types of anime, which | | | | styles, from slow to hard rock, classical to |
| has become a sub-genre itself. Mecha is short | | | | jazz. Songs and music are also used to |
| of mechanical, or simply meaning giant robots | | | | emphasize a theme, whether it's the passing |
| and machines, usually controlled or piloted | | | | of time, the vastness of space, or humanity's |
| by various human characters. This proved to | | | | lost dreams. They are also used to display |
| be a very attractive characteristic of anime, | | | | situations: joyful, silly melodies for |
| because creating a live action mecha movie | | | | humorous situations and suspenseful and |
| would require very tedious work and demanded | | | | serious tunes for troublesome events. Unlike |
| strong financing. Another trend that began | | | | most American cartoons where theme songs are |
| appear in anime during the 70's was modifying | | | | performed by anonymous musicians, Japanese |
| the conventional way of how a story was told | | | | musicians take great pride in performing for |
| in early works of anime. Instead of having a | | | | an anime title. Today, many famous Japanese |
| cliché good vs. evil plot, story writers | | | | musicians such as Sowelu, L'arc~en~ciel, Yoko |
| began to apply interesting twists and fresh | | | | Kanno, Do as Inifinity, and Nobuo Uematsu |
| concepts that would make the story more | | | | write original songs for the opening and |
| engaging. The anime Lupin III depicted "good" | | | | ending theme of many shows. Anime is also a |
| protagonist with somewhat of a mischievous | | | | good way for debut artists to gain popularity |
| personality. Devilman was another show that | | | | and recognition. |
| had its protagonist possessed by a demon, | | | | |
| giving him split personalities and when a | | | | How influential is it? |
| battle occurs, his demonic side would take | | | | |
| control. Known as one of the most acclaimed | | | | After having explained all the techniques and |
| anime series of all time, Mobile Suit Gundam | | | | the genesis of anime, One could not help but |
| was a story of a inter-stellar war between | | | | ask the question: in what ways is it |
| Earth and its first space colonies, using | | | | influencing the American culture? When |
| both mechas, unique characterization and | | | | Princess Mononoke from Studio Ghibli came out |
| never-before-seen battles. This series became | | | | in the states, it stunned movie goers and |
| highly marketable and captivated a huge | | | | gained a large number of fans. Some, however, |
| number of audiences. These concepts and many | | | | judged a book by its cover, thinking that the |
| others spawned more ideas and added more | | | | title suggests it would be a fairy tale with |
| ingredients to the anime soup. | | | | a happy ending. They were ultimately proven |
| | | | wrong and were disturbed by its violent |
| During the 1980s, a Japanese artist by the | | | | nature. The director, Hayao Miyazaki, |
| name of Go Nagai began to create anime for | | | | contends: |
| adults, breaking the concept that animated | | | | |
| features are only for kids. From clever | | | | "One of the things that I wanted to portray |
| satires to full blown nudity and sexual | | | | in my film is that violence is, indeed, a |
| engagements, Go Nagai's ingenious idea helped | | | | part of human essence. The issue is how to |
| to attract even more fans to the medium. In | | | | manage it and how to control it…I think |
| 1988, one major milestone was created and is | | | | it's foolish to say that presence of violence |
| still thought to be ahead of its time, even | | | | in a film makes it a bad picture for |
| by today's standards. The movie Akira is set | | | | children. The truth is that, in their daily |
| in the futuristic and apocalyptic Tokyo, | | | | lives, they encounter violence inside |
| where a motorcycle gang faces numerous | | | | themselves and around them. The issue is to |
| obstacles after they find out that a member | | | | try to help them address what to do with it, |
| acquired ominous psychic abilities that can | | | | not to ignore it". |
| potentially destroy the world. With an | | | | |
| intriguing and engaging plot, packed with | | | | Today, high schools and colleges around the |
| incredible nail-biting suspense and gory | | | | country are creating anime clubs, where |
| action, Akira gained tremendous fame all over | | | | members share anime, watch them and have |
| the world. It was, for many fans, an eye | | | | thoughtful discussions. These clubs make |
| opener to the true potential of animated | | | | effort to spread awareness to the public that |
| films. In 1995 came more milestone quality | | | | anime is indeed not a medium targeted just at |
| works. Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell | | | | kids. Mrs. Wolfson, Honors physics teacher |
| explored the depth the human mind, depicting | | | | and anime club advisor at Shrewsbury High |
| elements of psychological manipulation and | | | | School said: |
| throwing in a life vs. machine conflict where | | | | |
| humans are enhanced with cybernetic parts and | | | | "I gained interested in anime during my |
| have the ability to travel through a vast sea | | | | college years, when they ran an Akira |
| of information, into another realm (very much | | | | Marathon at the club and it opened my eyes to |
| like the Internet). | | | | this medium. I think anime is affecting to |
| | | | the American culture by increasing the |
| In the same year, two studios joined forces | | | | diversity awareness and acceptance of |
| to created one of the most talked about and | | | | Americans. The mass media loves it because it |
| well known anime series of all time. Gainax | | | | is something fairly fresh and new to this |
| and Production I.G. worked around the clock | | | | country. It is far more attractive than the |
| to create Neon Genesis Evangelion. This epic | | | | mundane cartoons that are so overly used". |
| 26-episode show takes place in the year 2015, | | | | |
| where "Angels" from a parallel universe | | | | The MIT Anime Club, one of the top anime |
| appeared on Earth and started attacking the | | | | clubs in the country gives public viewings |
| human race. As an act of self defense, | | | | every week. Due to its prestigious and |
| biological and mechanical fighting machines | | | | well-established name, many anime works have |
| called "Evangelions" were created and are | | | | incorporated aspects of the university as |
| piloted by three candidates to confront them. | | | | part the show! Ben, the club president of |
| The show itself incorporates everything its | | | | Cal Animage in UC Berkeley described that it |
| predecessors have, and at the same time | | | | used to be only 20 guys that would show up at |
| involves an immense amount of character | | | | one showing. Now the number increased to 200, |
| depth, plot twists, breath taking action, | | | | mostly dominated by males with a majority of |
| historical, scientific and biblical | | | | 18 to 24 years of age, and a minority of 25 |
| references. This one-of a-kind anime spawned | | | | to 30 years of age. Officers also sponsored |
| the Eva Phenomenon in Japan and is regarded | | | | free weekly showings of anime to the public |
| very highly by anime critics. Today, anime | | | | on campus. Among the audience, Asians and |
| continues to grow. More and more studios are | | | | Caucasians where dominant and were in almost |
| making bigger and better shows to air on TV. | | | | equal proportions. |
| Among all the fascination, one question | | | | |
| surfaces: why is anime such of an attraction | | | | Apart from clubs at school, the so-called |
| to Americans and the western world? Why is it | | | | information superhighway (or the Internet) is |
| influencing the American culture? | | | | an essential tool for the spread of anime |
| | | | among Americans. As more and more shows are |
| The Techniques | | | | made in Japan, American distributors can not |
| | | | keep up with the pace. As the demand for |
| The artistic techniques behind anime are very | | | | newer animes rises, groups of people with a |
| sophisticated and is a major factor on why | | | | rich understanding of the Japanese language |
| the genre is such an infuence on western | | | | started recording raw shows airing on |
| popular culture. One aspect of anime that is | | | | Japanese Television via their computers and, |
| very attention grabbing is its attention to | | | | to their best efforts, translate full |
| detail. Tezuka purposely made Astro Boy's | | | | episodes into a English subtitled features. |
| eyes to be round and big to show expressive | | | | These "fansub" groups then upload them onto |
| faces. He noted that that these features can | | | | the Internet, within the reach of millions of |
| allow him to display a wide range of | | | | anime fans. They usually have their own |
| emotions. The display of different emotions | | | | websites, and have affiliates to other |
| are quite distinctive in anime compared to | | | | partners. "Subtitled by fans for fans. Not |
| American cartoons. Other than showing facial | | | | for sale or rent" is usually written at the |
| expression, artists would draw outer-physical | | | | beginning of each subbed episode. This way of |
| elements that would exaggerate the emotion, | | | | distributing anime is also perfectly legal, |
| making anime more unique and spontaneous as a | | | | since none of these new shows have been |
| genre. Elements such as a big cross-like vein | | | | licensed by American distributors. Fans are |
| would pop out on the left or right side of a | | | | able to get their hands on the latest anime, |
| character's head when he or she gets | | | | without having to wait for the long process |
| frustrated, or an abnormally big sweat drop | | | | of licensing. With this growing ever so |
| appears behind the head when he or she gets | | | | popular, anime internet forums are also |
| in trouble. The characteristic of blushing is | | | | flourishing. Anyone from any place in the |
| very emphasized in anime as well. A rough | | | | world can come to Minitokyo.net, one of the |
| light red patch drawn under the character's | | | | largest and diverse anime fourms on the net, |
| eyes would appear when one is in a romantic | | | | and exchange ideas, share knowledge, get |
| or embarassing situation. | | | | news, share artwork, and create their own |
| | | | custom pages. |
| Unlike like Disney cartoons, where lighting | | | | |
| details on the characters are almost | | | | Anime has also influenced the way Americans |
| none-existent, proper global lighting plays a | | | | use their pass time. Each year, anime |
| big role in anime. A character must have the | | | | conventions such as Otakon and Anime Expo are |
| proper shading and lighting on the apparels, | | | | held around the nation where just-released |
| the face and most intricately, the hair, | | | | titles and merchandise are advertised can be |
| which is soemtimes one of the most difficult | | | | bought with a great bargain. Other than the |
| part to draw. Since it is almost impossible | | | | buying and selling, one major attraction at |
| to hand draw every strand of hair (yet | | | | anime cons are the cosplayers. Cosplaying is |
| possible with computer generated models), | | | | normally something kids do when they go |
| artists draw hair as much thicker strands, | | | | trick-or treating on Halloween, but anyone |
| allowing them to easily maneuver them and | | | | from teens to adults cosplay at anime cons. |
| apply proper lighting. Lighting on the eyes | | | | Costumes featured on anime characters can be |
| are also very vividly depicted. Reflections | | | | found and bought in anime stores, but many |
| of light on the Cornea is very bright and | | | | hardcore cosplayers prefer to make their own |
| usually very large. It tends to augment its | | | | outfits. Cosplaying gives the cosplayers a |
| size when one feels like crying or when one | | | | chance to become the character they love, and |
| feels envy towards someone or something. | | | | allows them to display the personalities the |
| | | | characters possessed. |
| Anime pioneered a technique called frame | | | | |
| shifting. Akira used this technique and | | | | One aspect that is very influenced by anime |
| created a perspective of a motorcycle gang | | | | is the American media. Movies like Akira, |
| member going into through the city streets, | | | | Princess Mononoke and Vampire Hunter D: |
| by shifting edifices proportionally to the | | | | Bloodlust required American voice actors and |
| left and right. Another illusionary technique | | | | actresses for it be shown in the states. |
| that is widely used thena nd today even is | | | | After dubbing such a feature, many thespians |
| western animation is called action-lines. | | | | were amazed by the ingenuity and the level of |
| During the midst of a heart-stopping battle, | | | | maturity theses films possesses. Major live |
| the protagonist's coup de grace is shown with | | | | action films are incorporating anime scenes |
| him jumping in the air, going straight for | | | | to spice up the action (Kill Bill). Cartoon |
| his enemy. Action-lines are the fast moving | | | | Network, perhaps the biggest cartoon |
| lines behind the character, filling the | | | | distribution network in the world, devotes |
| entire background, suggesting to the audience | | | | approximately 1/3 of its air time to anime or |
| that their hero is moving very fast and very | | | | cartoons with great anime influence: Teen |
| forcefully. | | | | Titans, Totally Spies!, Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi, |
| | | | the whole Miguzi line-up, Toonami line-up, |
| The quality of animation directly correlates | | | | Adult Swim for those 14 years and older. |
| with the animation budget, which equals the | | | | Major companies such as T-mobile, the popular |
| time given to complete the project. Many | | | | cell phone company from Deutsche Telekom, |
| animated series such as Dragonball and | | | | teamed up with Production I.G., one of the |
| Rurouni Kenshin may have over a hundred | | | | top anime studios to created a 9-short |
| episodes but will not have the quality of | | | | episoded commercial of a character called |
| animation compared to a six episode show. | | | | Johnny Chase to promote the new T-Mobile |
| Movement of the characters will not be as | | | | SidekickÂ(R). |
| smooth due to a low frame rate. The greater | | | | |
| and the number of cells an artist creates and | | | | Conclusion |
| the more detail he or she includes, the more | | | | |
| time he or she will need, thus requiring a | | | | Anime is slowly being accepted by mainstream |
| bigger budget. This is why animated features | | | | media and is slowly being respected as a |
| always show a higher quality of animation | | | | completely separate genre of animation. Yet |
| compared to animated television series. Yet | | | | when it comes down the basics, it is only |
| when a comes to story development, a | | | | animation. Despite all of its influences, |
| television animated series would be at | | | | many Americans still see anime as a form of |
| advantage. | | | | eye candy and entertainment for the younger |
| | | | generation. To the Japanese, however, anime |
| Of all the techniques, anime also focuses on | | | | is a medium in which a story can be told and |
| plenty of romanticism. Romanticism is nothing | | | | glorified. The future of anime looks very |
| new to Japan. The world's first full novel | | | | promising. With the development computer |
| Tale of Genshi, written by Lady Murasaki, | | | | generated graphics and enhanced interfaces, |
| contained elaborate imagery and poetic | | | | characters and environments never looked so |
| emotions. Japanese folklore told tales of | | | | real. The advancement in technology just |
| ghosts, monsters and the supernaturalThus, it | | | | might one day break away the generalizations |
| is not surprising that anime would also carry | | | | made by the public and give this remarkable |
| this tradition. Anime, like all forms of | | | | genre a more respected status in the world of |
| animation, relies primarily on visual images. | | | | films. |
| However, some frames in anime provide an | | | | |
| exquisite portrayal of the romantic element. | | | | References |
| One might see, for example, a young girl | | | | |
| starring out into a sky of glittering stars, | | | | Baker, Neal. "Samurai from Outer Space: |
| or long silky hair being blown by a gust of | | | | Understanding Japanese Animation." Library |
| cherry blossom petals, or even a giant robot | | | | Journal. 14 Nov. 1996: Platinum Periodical. |
| slowly walking towards the audience, away | | | | Shrewsbury High School Lib. MA. 10 Feb. 2005 |
| from the ruins of a post-nuclear war. The | | | | < >. |
| setting might seem far-fetched, but these | | | | |
| scenes convey a great deal, at a glance, the | | | | "Genshiken." 2004. Television Show, CD-Rom. |
| sense of happiness, loneliness, defeat, | | | | Media Factory. Palm Studio. 28 Feb. 2005.12 x |
| victory, ambition, and grandeur. | | | | 24 minute episodes. |
| | | | |
| The attention given to plot and story in an | | | | Izuwa, Eri. " The Romantic, Passionate |
| anime is just as, or maybe even more | | | | Japanese in Anime: A Look at the Hidden |
| complicated, than any live action movie. | | | | Japanese Soul." 1997. 3 Mar. 2005 < >. |
| Compared to many western romantic stories | | | | |
| like Dracula or Frankenstein, stories in the | | | | MIT Anime Club. Massachusetts Institute of |
| anime world are also written with a sense of | | | | Technology. 15 Mar. 2005. 21 Mar. 2005 < |
| fantasy in mind. During the 18th and 19th | | | | >. |
| centrury, wooden mechanized dolls called | | | | |
| Karakuri were used to carry tea to guests. | | | | "Just What is Anime?" 21 Mar. 2005 < >. |
| The word 'Karakuri' means a "mechanical | | | | |