Anime

Anime is a diverse medium of animation originating from Japan.

While the term "anime" in Japan refers to all animated works regardless of origin, English speakers use it specifically for animation produced in Japan. This art form is not a single genre but a medium that encompasses many different types of stories. Many anime works are adaptations of other Japanese media. These include manga, which are Japanese comics, and light novels. Video games also frequently serve as the source material for anime productions.

The production of anime involves a complex sequence of creative steps. Modern studios typically follow a process involving storyboarding, character design, and voice acting. Historically, much of this work was done through cel animation. This method used clear sheets to layer drawings. Today, many animators use computer animation to increase efficiency. Unlike some Western animation, anime often focuses less on fluid movement. Instead, it emphasizes detailed settings and cinematic camera effects. These effects include panning, zooming, and specific angle shots to guide the viewer's eye.

Visual styles in anime are incredibly varied and depend on the specific studio or artist. Despite this variety, certain common attributes often appear in character designs. Many characters feature large, emotive, and oval-shaped eyes. Artists also use defined lines and bright colors to create their worlds. The medium is also known for "limited animation." This technique involves reducing the number of frames to manage costs and schedules. It can also create a sense of the suspension of time within a scene.

The roots of Japanese animation can be found in ancient storytelling traditions. Precursors include kage-e, which are shadow plays that date back to the 11th century. These involved traveling storytellers and moving panoramas. Other influences include kamishibai, a type of paper play used in street theater. Puppetry from Bunraku theater and ukiyo-e prints also helped shape early character styles. Professional Japanese animation began to emerge in 1917. This era saw the rise of animators like Ōten Shimokawa and Jun'ichi Kōuchi. Kōuchi's film, Namakura Gatana, remains the oldest surviving Japanese animated short film.

A major turning point occurred in the 1960s through the work of Osamu Tezuka. Tezuka was a famous cartoonist who adapted Disney techniques to create a more efficient style. His series Astro Boy became an influential success that helped define the medium.

This era also saw the birth of the giant robot genre, or "mecha." This genre evolved from the work of Tezuka into the super robot genre under Go Nagai. Later, Yoshiyuki Tomino revolutionized it with the "real robot" genre. These developments created a foundation for many popular series seen in later decades.

The anime industry is a massive global economic force. There are currently over 430 production companies operating in the field. This includes major studios like Studio Ghibli, Toei Animation, and Madhouse. Japanese animation once accounted for 60% of the world's animated television shows. Some individual works have achieved staggering financial success. For example, the film Spirited Away won an Academy Award in 2003. The movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train became one of the highest-grossing films of 2020. It earned 10 billion yen in just 10 days, breaking previous Japanese cinema records.

Today, anime is characterized by intense globalization and digital connectivity. Since the 2010s, the rise of internet streaming services has expanded its reach. This has allowed anime to become one of the fastest-growing content genres globally. Shows like Attack on Titan have become some of the most in-demand series worldwide. In 2024, Jujutsu Kaisen set a Guinness World Record for global demand. The medium now involves significant cross-cultural collaboration and brand integration. Japanese animation continues to shape popular culture and media on a global scale.