What defines anime?

DoomKitty · Post by **DoomKitty** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 4:28 am

This is something I've pondered for awhile. At first, I thought anime was just 'Japanese cartoons'. But then I came to find out, anime could come from any other country, such as Korea, Russia, and there are even American-style animes. Next, I wondered about the art style. Still sticking to Japanese anime, look at the varied art styles you see in different animes. Look up .hack//GIFT, Dead Leaves, The Diary of Tortov Roddle, or even Super Milk Chan. Those are all varied art styles, but still considered anime. So what my question to you all is, what precisely is it that defines anime?

Orwell · Post by **Orwell** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 4:29 am

Came out of Japan. I think. I thought the FAQ answered this?

Orwell · Post by **Orwell** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 4:30 am

Not called a FAQ, but quick browsing around the forum explains its.
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/phpBB/v ... hp?t=63288

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 8:42 am

Orwell wrote:Not called a FAQ, but quick browsing around the forum explains its.
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/phpBB/v ... hp?t=63288

That's the ORG's defintion of anime. Or at least the general concensus.

The broadest definition is any type of animation. Which is generally how the Japanese use the term. This includes American animation from Disney and Pixar and cartoons such as The Simpsons.

The general meaning of anime, at least in the US and other western countries is Japanese animation, aka. Japanimation (produced and at least partly animated in Japan). This also includes CGI animated works like Appleseed and the Final Fantasy movies.

Although some Japanese animation is animated partly in Korea (in-betweens, etc.), this does not make Korean animation (produced and animated in Korea for the Korean market) "anime".

Then there is "anime-style" animation from the US (Teen Titans, Boondocks), France (Totally Spies, Team Galaxy), and other countries that mimic the general style and look of Japanese animation but are made by, and for, the respective countries first and may be imported into Japan later. Some of these shows are even partly animated in Korea.

As for video game footage, that is a blurry subject. For the purposes of this site, Japanese video game cutscenes (Final Fantasy 8/X/X-2, Kingdom Hearts, etc.) are considered "anime".