An introduction to the art of Anime
Author: Jim Moore


An introduction to the art of Anime
In case you are unaware of what anime stands for, the word
anime is known to be the abbreviation for the word
animation.

In English, main dictionary sources define anime as "a
Japanese style of motion-picture animation" or "a style of
animation developed in Japan".  Since anime or animçshon is
used to describe all forms of animation, Japanimation is
used to distinguish Japanese work from that of the rest of
the world.

In more recent years, anime has also frequently been
referred to as manga in European countries, a practice that
may stem from the Japanese usage: In Japan, manga can refer
to both animation and comics (although the use of manga to
refer to animation is mostly restricted to non-fans).

Anime often draws influence from manga, light novels, and
other cultures.  Anime is broadcast on television,
distributed on media such as DVD and VHS, and included in
video games. Anime is sometimes referred to as
Japanimation, but this term has fallen into disuse

When it comes to the countries that are outside of Japan,
the word is known to most popularly refer to the animation
that originates in Japan.

However, if you travel to the west you will find that the
word anime is not always considered as referring to
animation but it is thought to be a subset of animation.

Anime is available outside of Japan in localized form.
Anime has also been a commercial success in Asia, Europe
and Latin America, where anime has become even more
mainstream than in the United States.

Anime features a wide variety of artistic styles. There is
some anime that is drawn by hand however there is also some
that is computer assisted animation which has actually
became very popular over the years.

Anime or manga tends to be targeted at teenage or young
male adults. Anime is often considered a form of limited
animation. When it comes to anime, it is just like any
other entertainment medium in which the actual story lines
are used to actually represent the major genres of the
actual fiction.

There are many ways that you can watch anime because of the
fact that it is broadcasted on television as well as
distributed on media that is often known as DVD as well as
VHS and it is also included in the video games that are
played by adults as well as children.

There is some anime that is even produced as motion
pictures that are full length. It is known that anime
actually draws its influence from what are known as manga
as well as light novels and certain other cultures as well.

There have also been some anime storylines that have
actually been adapted into what is known as live action
films as well as television series.

The actual history of anime is known to have begun in the
very beginning of the twentieth century. This was the
actual time that the Japanese filmmakers were experimenting
with the techniques of animation. This type of animation
was also at that time being experimented with in other
countries such as France and Germany as well as Russia and
the United States as well.

As a result of this work and that of other pioneers in the
field, anime developed characteristics and genres that are
fundamental elements of the art today.

The reason that animation really became popular in Japan
was because of the fact that it provided what is known as
an alternative format when it came to storytelling. In
sharp contrast when compared to the undeveloped industry of
live action that was currently being used within Japan.

In the United States as that time the live action industry
had a generous budget, whereas the country of Japan had a
small market and they also suffered from budgeting problems
as well as location and not to mention the restrictions
that were placed on the casting.

Anime-influenced animation refers to non-Japanese works of
animation that emulate the visual style of anime. Some
authorities say that Anime is closely related to the
Japanese comics, called manga. Anime also tends to borrow
many elements from manga including text in the background,
and borrowing panel layouts from the manga as well.

Many anime series got their start as popular manga. Anime
is often thought provoking and provides an excellent
foundation for raising important issues with your children.
Some anime storylines have been adapted into live action
films and television series

Anime burst onto the scene in September of 1963, when NBC
syndicated a dubbed version of the Japanese series Astro
Boy. Robot anime like Gundam and Macross became instant
classics in the 80s, and the robot genre of anime is still
one of the most heard of in Japan and worldwide today.

In the 1980s, anime was accepted in the mainstream in
Japan, and experienced a boom in production (It should be
noticed that, manga has significantly more mainstream
exposure than anime in Japan). The mid-to-late '90s, on
into the 2000s, saw an increased acceptance of anime in
overseas markets.

The anime drawing style can be learned, particularly with
the aid of books such as How to Draw Manga. Such books come
complete with information and instructions on the styles
used in anime.

A common approach is the large eyes style drawn on many
anime and manga characters, credited to the influence of
Osamu Tezuka, who was inspired by the exaggerated features
of American cartoon characters such as Betty Boop and
Mickey Mouse and from Disney's Bambi.

Although not all anime have large eyes many western
audiences associate anime with large detailed eyes as many
shounen or boy comics and shoujo young girl comics depict
their characters with large eyes.

Other stylistic elements are common as well; often in
comedic anime, characters that are shocked or surprised
will perform a "face fault", in which they display an
extremely exaggerated expression.

In anime the lines are often influenced more from a
stylistic look from brushwork, rather than that of the
calligrapher's pen. This is best demonstrated in the anime
Karekano.

The anime may also be edited to alter cultural references
that may not be understood by a non-Japanese person and
certain companies may remove what may be perceived as
objectionable content.

Anime also provides a window into another culture. Anime
seems to function very effectively as a cultural ambassador.

Anime has a dedicated fan following in English speaking
countries, particularly active on the Internet, and at
conventions regularly held throughout the US and UK.


About the Author:

Jim Moore comes from a background in engineering and
financial services software. Jim has spent the last 20
years as a professional writer working for some of the
world's largest engineering and financial companies.
http://www.squidoo.com/animeinfo