Anime would seem to be a very straightforward term, referring to something called Japanese animation. I think most of us recognize anime when we see it. But how broad should the definition be? Hidoshi, for instance, over at TNK, has written about about the definition of “anime” and more recently about The 5 Stigmas of Fandom.” I’m one of those that prefer a tighter definition of anime that does not include non-Japanese made productions like Teen Titans and the like. It’s the same for manga. I don’t think of OEL “manga” as being manga. These discussions can get bogged down in details, but doesn’t that make them good blog posting fodder? I hope so! :) So here are my 5 important points to help put the word anime into context:
Fate knows anime when she sees it,
and I know a gothloli mahou shoujo when I see one.
1. Anime is a Japanese word. Its origin may be from English (”animation”), [Edit: or French “anim
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I agree with all your points. :D Nicely done!
Interesting stuff. I never really THOUGHT to define anime in such a formal way, you certainly brought up some really interesting points about what really is anime :)
Many good and interesting points. Nicely Done!
You’re a brave man to take on the task of defining anime: there’s such a strong tendency for online discussions of topics like this to get bogged down in pointless nitpicking and semantic quibbling. Congrats on keeping it clear and concise!
It is a complex problem. A definition has to be quite broad to cover the huge range of works that I assume everyone would agree are anime, from Sazae-san to Angel’s Egg to Urotsukidouji to Lucky Star to Rose of Versailles. At the same time, concrete boundaries have to be drawn somewhere, if the the term is to retain meaning as something other than a synonym for “animation.” But, any given show falls onto what is probably a continuum from “anime” to “other.” The position of works like Hoshi no Koe (animation produced entirely by Japanese citizens, in Japan, solely (at least initially) for a Japanese audience) on that continuum seems obvious to me, as does the position of, say, Avatar (animation produced for the US market by American creators, who do admittedly seem to have watched a fair amount of Dragonball in the 1990s). But, what does one make of something like The Animatrix, or even a modern Japanese TV animation with background painters, animators, art directors and designers from South Korea and Taiwan?
I’d be curious to hear your one sentence definition of anime (a bit more fleshed out than “Japanese animation,” which is, I have to say, hard to argue with ^_^), assuming you think such a definition is possible. Maybe that could be material for a follow up post!
But Teen Titans are cute =P
I do agree with your views. Nice write-up
anime sucks family guy,simpsons,and futurama r better
Family Guy, Simpsons, and Futurama is for mindless fun. Anime is for more serious watching. Seriously, do Family Guy, Simpsons, and Futurama actually have a stroyline that lasts longer than 1 or 2 episodes?
urmom… you suck… bigtime!!!
umm.. how can melon-pan be a truly origonal japanese word when 2 (mabye3) of the japanese alphabets don’t copntain the letter ‘L’??? meLon-pan…. and melon-pan was sorta a western inspired creation.. i think the origonal japanese pan was kashi-pan.. im not to sure but i think thats wat happend..
=]
..xoxo
This is a goo topic expecially for those who are just begining to become interested in Anime. To take on the task like no other is what I like to think is very extraordinary to be the first to really put it out in our perspectives. So new people who are getting into Anime watch the movies and read the animations there pretty awesome even drawing them and making them your own. Bye and have fun.