A Beginner's Guide to Anime
What You Should Be Aware Of When It Comes To Japanese Animation
The term anime is an abbreviation for the word animation, which is pronounced "ah-knee-may." The term is used in Japan to refer to all forms of animation. Outside of Japan, however, it has become a catch-all word for Japanese animation.
For decades, anime was a Japanese product with a distinct look and feel in terms of not only the artwork but also the narrative, themes, and ideas. It has grown into an international phenomenon over the last four decades, attracting millions of fans and being translated into a variety of languages. It has influenced a whole generation of Western audiences, who are now passing it on to their own children.
It's tempting to think of anime as a genre because everything anime is grouped together. It isn't a genre in the same way that animation isn't, but rather a description of how the material is created. Anime shows, like books and movies, can be classified into a variety of genres, including comedy, drama, science fiction, action-adventure, horror, and so on.
What Is It That Makes Anime So Unique?
In two words, most anime fans can sum it up: "It's different." Anime is as different from most American cartoons as "Batman" and "Spider-Man" are from daily newspaper comics. These differences can be seen in a variety of ways, including the artwork, storytelling, and even the cultural nuances displayed by the characters.
The flamboyant and bizarre in shows like "Samurai Champloo" and "FLCL" to the simple and direct in shows like "Azumanga Daioh!" Anime art styles range from the flamboyant and outlandish to the simple and direct in shows like "Azumanga Daioh!" Even shows with more "basic" artwork, however, can be visually striking. Anime has a way of making everything seem new and fresh.
It also doesn't shy away from long-running storylines, which can span dozens (if not hundreds) of episodes. The best anime, regardless of length, all require a high level of emotional participation from the audience.
Because of the vast number of anime series available, fans of almost any other type of television or film will find an anime series that matches their tastes. Fans of hard science fiction should watch "Planetes," while romantic comedy fans should watch "Fruits Basket," and crimefighting fans should watch "Ghost in the Shell." Adaptations of classic literature, such as "The Count of Monte Cristo ," are also available.
Not only that, but anime fans get an up-close look at Japan's history, language, and worldview, which is woven into a lot of anime on several levels. Some shows, like "Sengoku Basara," are based on Japanese history, while others, like "Hakkenden" and "Hell Girl," are based on Japanese mythology. Even shows like "Claymore" and "Monster," which are outwardly non-Japanese in presentation, have a Japanese sensibility. What's most striking is how anime's influence is shifting in the opposite direction. Some recent American animated series, such as "Avatar: The Last Airbender," openly accept anime's influence, and live-action English-language anime adaptations are becoming more prevalent.
Is Anime Safe for Children?
Because anime's subject matter is so diverse, it's easy to find anime that appeals to people of all ages. Some titles, such as the animated series "Pokémon" or the Studio Ghibli film "My Neighbor Totoro," are aimed at younger audiences or are suitable for all ages, while others, such as "InuYasha," are aimed at teenagers and older audiences.
Some animes, such as "Death Note," are aimed at older teens, while others, such as "Monster" and "Queens Blade," are only for mature audiences.Some animes, such as "Death Note," are aimed at older teens, while others, such as "Monster" and "Queens Blade," are only for mature audiences.
Some titles must be classified higher than they would otherwise be due to Japanese cultural attitudes toward sexuality and violence. In Japan, for example, nudity is treated much more casually; a show that isn't intended for adults may contain material that Western viewers may find racy.
Anime distributors are generally aware of these concerns, and will include either an actual MPAA rating (G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17) or a TV Parental Guidelines rating as a guide to the show's intended audience. To find out which rating applies to a show, look at the packaging or program listing.
Do you have no idea where to start? Check out the sci-fi cyberpunk film "Cowboy Bebop" or the swords-and-sorcery adventure film "Berserk." Tell an anime fan friend what you want to watch, and they should be able to point you in the direction of the best and most recent releases in that genre.