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