Anime and Manga: An Introduction to the Diverse world of Japanese Art
To some, Anime might just be dismissed as one of those silly Pokemon cartoons for kids. But on delving deeper, you will be surprised to know that a majority of anime cover a wide range of emotions, intense graphics, story lines and brilliantly conceptualized characters. A fact that cannot be failed to be noticed is that most Anime have been made keeping the young adult audience in mind.
I am no expert on Anime, just a casual fan, and aficionados of the genre could give you a much more in depth view than I ever could. However, as a fan, who has truly been absorbed in many a mind-gripping episode after episode, I feel it my duty to try to gain a larger audience and understanding of Anime.
In its country of origin Japan, the term Anime is simply an abbreviation of the word “animation.” In other countries of the world, the Anime refers to animation originating in Japan.
At the start of the 20th century when animation techniques were being explored all over the world, Japanese film makers too experimented which such techniques. This led to the creation of a full fledged sub-culture of animation called Anime which allowed artists to create just about any characters and settings, with no limitations whatsoever.
Most Anime that you see today are actually based on graphic novels called Manga comics. Popular Manga are often adapted into Anime, which then appeal to a more mainstream market.
The sky really is the limit when it comes to Anime. It has now become a legitimate art form, and at its best can tell stories in ways that would be impossible to tell in a live action movie. Anime can take you to fascinating worlds with complex story lines and equally complex and wildly exaggerated characters.
Over the years, Anime has penetrated into the lives of many and as a result can be found in many genres covering most categories that people can relate to, which include action, adventure, children’s stories, comedy, erotica, drama, medieval fantasy, occult, science fiction and romance.
Take for instance, a genre of Anime called Josei, which translates as ‘young woman’. This genre is obviously aimed at young women. Then there’s Robot or Mecha Anime which features super robots. Shonen Anime is targeted at younger boys, and is not to be confused with Seinen which is aimed mainly at teenage or young male adults.
As you can see, there are like a million Anime terms in Japanese that actually throw light on the disposition of characters and their status and if you wish to acquaint yourself with them, the Internet is a great source.
Listed below are some really popular Anime series that should definitely be on your must-see list:
Full Metal Alchemist, popularly referred to as FMA is actually a Manga series that has been adapted into Anime series, a number of graphic novels and video games. As the title suggests, this Anime covers an alternate world in which the science of alchemy is used, not to turn metals into gold, but rather to transmute matter into different matter. Full Metal Alchemist is a truly fantastic fantasy-based Anime and will surely appeal to those who wish to take a trip to magical land full of secrets. Interestingly, the term “FullMetal” is used to describe a person who is stubborn!
Then there’s the InuYasha manga and Anime series which has gained immense popularity since it was first aired in Japan in 2000. Till date the InuYasha manga series is popular. The story centers around a time traveling middle school student and her friends that include a half-demon, a lecherous monk, a demon slayer, a shape-shifting fox with magical abilities, and a cat with supernatural abilities.
This Anime series is actually named after one of the main characters, InuYasha, which means “dog spirit”.
Another must-see is Ghost in the Shell, an anime series adapted from a Japanese cyberpunk manga. Over the years, the original Ghost in the Shell manga has spawned three anime films, two anime television series and two PlayStation video games.
Very different from most Anime, Ghost in the Shell is a futuristic police thriller that deals with the life of a member of the secretive operations section of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission, which specializes in fighting technology-related crime.
And, just when you thought that you’ve been too disconnected from the real world after watching fantasy-based and other-worldly Anime, there’s Witch Hunter Robin. This Anime centers around the Japanese branch of a secretive global organization called Solomon that fights the harmful use of witchcraft.
Well, Witch Hunter Robin is not based on the lives of normal people per se, but we think it’s the closest one could get to an Anime that is not based on characters with really out-of-this world powers. And, if you’ve watched it well enough, you’ll realize this too. After all, people around the world do claim to have telekinetic powers and some of them even claim to be witches!
For those who love action and adventure, there’s Initial D, which is a racing animation series that revolves around Illegal Mountain driving. To sum it up, Initial D is an Anime along the same lines as The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
In India, Animax is the only channel that exclusively airs Anime series, although fans have been complaining that the channel keeps showing reruns of episodes. I wouldn’t blame those fans, after all they watch episode after episode and know exactly what powers characters have been bestowed with. These are the people who can also tell you each and every detail of how a particular character was killed off.
Thanks to the Internet, hardcore Anime enthusiasts manage to get their daily dose (which constitutes at least half a dozen episodes at a go) easily, at no cost and with no hassles of availability.
Stay tuned for this is just the first part of a three-part article on Anime and Manga. In the next article we will take you one step closer to Anime enthusiasts in India, fan art, the Anime culture and much more regarding this all-encompassing art form.
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July 20th, 2007 at 2:11 am
Nice intro post to Anime you have here.
Just one tiny thing I thought you might like to add to your post: ‘Ghost in the Shell’ was the inspiration for the ‘Matrix’ trilogy.
Am looking forward to the continuing parts of this article. =)
September 2nd, 2007 at 7:08 am
This is RUBBISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Animation HAS DIED!!!! WALT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO DISGUSTED!!!!!
AS WE ARE!!!!
KAK!
September 7th, 2007 at 12:21 am
i think andrew might just be someone who thinks anime is only pokemon…
has he ever stayed up to watch adult swim?
September 10th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
I have stayed to a adult swim!!!! i watch it when i can!!!
September 11th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Anime ROX!!! everyone who hates it can suck…
InuYasha and Naruto and Bleach, Furuba… they are the best!
September 19th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
you said it not many people watch it they like amvs like preps!!!!XD
September 20th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
if you don’t like anime… why are you on the site? if you do like anime, e-mail me at silverangeldreamer@yahoo.com. I need a pen- pal but it takes too long to write letters
September 20th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
I just started an anime club at my school. any suggestions as to what we should read and/or watch?
September 21st, 2007 at 5:15 pm
i luv this intro into anime, it is exactly what i want to explain to my friends who think its only a show like pokimon… i never saw it as mangas that are targeted towards us teenagers and adults, but its true i believe thats why i can connect with it so well. Also because i want to be captured into those fantasy worlds and be that character to do those special sword fights or fall in luv with the handsome flawless skinned man. The drama enraptures me and im happy i found this sight that defends the anime world, and it doesnt make us geeks at alll!!! Keep it up and i hope that anime never ends it contributes alot to our world. hmm well thanks for readin this. Laters geeks haha. bye
September 24th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Here’s something Andrew from Sept 2nd might not know: Walt Disney was a chavinist who disliked Jewish people. Although his works are greatly admired, you cannot overlook his many mistakes. Anime is just another form of animation that manages to reach a wider range of audiences than any Disney movie ever could.
-the marwolfer-
September 26th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Anime is the best thing that happened to the wourld because it has captured everyone. ANIME, ANIME,ANIME,ANime……
It rock!!!!
Love
amanda pruitt(joy) Age14
September 27th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Osamu Tezuka, the father of anime was a Disney fan and Disney liked Tezuka’s work too. Plus some people believe Disney stole from Tezuka’s piece Kimba the White Lion Cub: king of the jungle for Lion king ( you know with Simba). Andrew you are a dumb smuck.
October 1st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
andrew doesent know to much, anime is a world where anything can happen, and there is something for everyone, bleach, naruto, fruits basket, death note ++++++++++++++++++ its something for everyone=D
October 9th, 2007 at 2:17 am
naruto is in my heart
October 15th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
walt disney sucks compared to anime. i would rather watch inuyasha then some fluffy penguin that cant even f****n sing! how dumb is that.
if u r a true anime person, write me at bighea92@earthlink.net
-senshu horuda-
October 30th, 2007 at 11:29 am
i love nautro….
o ya…
October 30th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Hey,
I submitted this picture to an AMV I made and someone wants to know who the girl with the pink hair in the picture is. I’m clueless. Does anyone know?
November 1st, 2007 at 1:11 am
Anime is addicitveee stuff… my boyfriend and my roomate got me hooked on it, since then ive went threw fruits basket bleach witchblade ( i know alot of people hate that one but what can i say lol sigh* ) and alot more… but i have no way of finding out whats good in terms of other animes but lately both my bf and my roomie have been working like crazy and havent had time to see whats new…. if theres any true die hard anime lovers or anyone whos watched wnough episodes and you could recommend a show email me at boo_jessi@hotmail.com it’d be muchly appreciateddd!!!!!!!!!!!
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Dude this is a subjective article (an opinionated statement), if you don’t like it don’t post >.> just move on with your life and read another article. In my opinion I agree with this author, perhaps it’s just because I can relate, but what kinds of anime have you, Andrew, have watched over your life?
November 6th, 2007 at 11:59 am
I have a question for every viewer on her who obviously has an interest in manga/anime. Now my favourite anime has to be Naruto, I have never heard of any of those you have mentioned aside Bleach. But why is it that the Dragonball series’ is so celebrated? because although I havent seen every episode it seems extremely dull… Dont be offended, I would just like your comments, becuse it confuses me so much. Is Dragonball an amazing anime of amazing calibre like they say, and I have really bad taste? or is it really that bad?
November 10th, 2007 at 3:41 am
I luv watching anime,my favourites are INU YASHA, PLESE TEATURE, INITIAL D
November 13th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Anime is so cool i love it and i love INUYASHA ORPHAN and FINAL FANTASY
November 15th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Anime is great but there is a whole world of other anime that aren’t the traditional inuyasha naruto and bleach,one piece and death note there is more than just the most popular ones like Dn Angel of elemental gelade plenty more for us all!
November 19th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
hey guys u wanna talk about anime or anything at all or u just want a pen-pal talk to me!
^-^ jeshka01@hotmail.com]
Choa guys!
November 21st, 2007 at 9:51 pm
if u dont like anime……YOU SUCK!!! And get off this website!
InuYasha and Bleach r awsome!!!! Naruto’s OK too.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Andrew, I think you’re making a statement about something you know nothing about. So, please, for your own sake, think something through before you say it.
November 25th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
ya know, Astro Boy was the first anime ever. And ever since Sailor Moon, there was a new world of girl (shojo) sure heros.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
hi……. ima budiee i love cartoons he he he he kk bey ya ……….!!!!!!!!!
November 29th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
anime is the best
Bleach is my fav i love drawing anime if anyone has any tips on becoming a full time anime cartoonist please email me at this adresss
December 1st, 2007 at 5:35 am
I LOVE LOVE LOVE ANIME!!!!!
Anime is my life!
Bleach, Inuyasha and others are all my favorites!!!!!
They’re awesome, man!
December 12th, 2007 at 11:42 am
ANIME//MANGA
i AM thee DIE HARD FAN.
i LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE watching, reading it, drawing it… ect…ect… Anime is the ‘effing BOMB. and will make walt disney’s s.it explode and dissapear!!! cuz its just for little kiddys ages 1-9. (andrew is in that age group. yes?)
For all those other Die Hard Fans like myself or just ppl who like….
you can contact me @
http://www.myspace.com/fromvictimtokiller
& my email
From_victim_to_killer@advancedanime.com
Bub-byes
PS.
Fav. animes and mangas
Sailor Moon, Bleach, INUYASHA, Trinity Blood, fruit basket (seen a few episodes…[[[i cant find the channel that its on now….]]]) basicly any thing on Adult Swim. (Show ‘Effing rocks mi socks)…. and i read Oh My Goddess series…. and there are others i just cant think of them riight now….
welp
toodles
December 12th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I agree with everyone here who has praised anime… and Andrew, this may be true in your opinion, but if you hate anime so much, why did you even read this article? Because anime is awesome! Especially Naruto, Love Hina, and Peach Girl. I’ve heard a lot about Bleach and the others, but if anyone has any special recommendations, please email me at daniella.skiqueen@gmail.com.
n_n
13 yr old Naruto luvr
January 1st, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I love anime and I have always loved it. It’s just a part of me. I love Bleach, Naruto, INUYasha and some others too. I am obsessed with anime and I will always be obssed with anime. The first time I watched anime was Pokemon which was a long time ago.
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I’ve recently began watching anime and so far its really awesome. If anyone of you could be kind enough to give me names of good anime shows and what not that would awesome. Anime pictures of those hott girls in green or blue hair would be pretty swell tooooo! =)
send it to my email if you can or hit me up on aim.
djaverx@yahoo.com
my aim screen name is my whole email adress.
thanks anime watchers!
January 20th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I love anime. My friends think I’m such a nerd but whatever!
My favorite anime is
DeathNote
January 24th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
ANIME IS BRILLIANT
but there isnt anyone in my school let alone my class who likes or ever knows about anime. I’v watched, naruto, death not, bleach but if you have any anime programs pleeseeeeee tell me
tiny_cute_mitten_kitten@hotmail.co.uk
pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssseeeee!!!!!
as for andrew why did you type up anime on your computer if your moraly against it?
February 4th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
anime friggin rulez, if i had money id be an official otaku >> but i am n my own way -_-” id rather not get in2 detail :3 anime guys r shmexxeh >> plain n simple……….. xDD ^^ o.o :3 sayonara
March 6th, 2008 at 12:15 am
This bullshit
YU YU HAKUSHO SHOULD BE IN THAT ROSTER AS TOP ANIME AS WELL.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
anime is nice i like it !! very much
March 17th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I guess everyone just ignored my comment….
I am currently watching Bleach, it is a shame that Naruto isn’t up here as it is in my opinion one of the best anime series’ of all time. FullMetal Alchemist is only 52 episodes long + a movie so if you havent got alot of time on yout hands I really recommend it. I am currently writing a manga and I really am looking for new ideas. Anything you would like to see, please just email me at
psycho_element001@yahoo.co.uk
If you could also support your ideas with meanings or links to history,etc that would be great, if not any idea is valid, and you may enlighten me
I have alot of ideas down but nothing concrete.
March 21st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Hey cat, I love Deathnote too n_n. Well I can draw anime very well,but I can only draw something I am looking at. So i get pics from books or online anyone have any good uses/ideas for my drawings?
March 28th, 2008 at 3:35 am
Hey, one of the best things about anime, is that thers’s something for everyone, and people of all ages can enjoy it! I feel lucky that my first taste of anime was Speed Racer & Kimba the White Lion that used to air on one of the local channels, well before there were cable channels around. Even as a grade schooler raised on Disney and Hanna-Barberra, I recognized the superior art styles and more complex storylines and characters in those, by today’s standards, rather primitive anime series. Starblazers was my next series, and hooked me and my siblings forever. That was an epic series that had no comparison in American animation, and still doesn’t to this day. Long after that show went off the air, I would scour the TV guide every new season, hoping to find some show that looked like Starblazers. I finally found such a program in 1985 when Robotech blasted onto the scene. I will never forget what it was like, that first movie special that told most of the Macross saga in a compressed version. The artwork, the style, the complex characters! Inter-racial dating! Heroes got hurt, and even died! The network was beseiged by letters from parents who pleaded, “You’re bringing Roy Fokker back to life, aren’t you? You can’t kill the good guys! What do I tell my kids?” Our whole family made a ritual out of watching Robotech together every day. I named my Siamese-Calico cat after Lynn Minmei, and her daughter Nova Satori, after a character from the second generation story, Southern Cross. After that, our hunt for this artitic marvel called anime led me to a local comics dealer, who introduced me to Miyazaki’s works, like Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, and Castle in the Sky, Laputa. Let’s just say I could never look at a Disney movie the same way ever again! The young people of this generation who are just now discovering anime have NO IDEA HOW LUCKY THEY ARE! They read it for free down the manga ailes in bookshops, and download anime for free on the internet. Back in the late ’80’s, I had to save up a hundred dollars just to get my hands on an actual Japanese VHS tape of “Laputa”, with no English translation or subtitles. I managed to find a transcript at a Robotech convention, so I could watch the movie and read the dialogue. Today, I happily buy my manga and anime DVDs at the store or through online dealers, because I want my anime fix to be there tomorrow, and next year, and the year after that. I know what it was like before it was available in the U.S., and before there was an internet!
Okay, now for the fun part, my current faves in anime and manga include, but are not limited to: InuYasha (of course), Kyo Kara Maoh (that series always cheers me up if I’m feeling blue), Fruits Basket (a classic, deservedly so), FMA, Case Closed, Rurouni Kenshin and Ranma, (more classics that should be in every collection), Bleach, Death Note, Utawarerumono, Moon Phase, Saiyuki, Twelve Kingdoms, Trinity Blood, Prince of Tennis, E’s Mushi-shi, Loveless, Ouran H.S. Host Club,Chrono Crusade, DNAngel, of course, ANYTHING by Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli, but movies like Voices of a Distant Star are wonderful, too. Then there’s my most current love, Vampire Knight, (WHICH I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE ANIME, THAT’S JUST STARTING IN JAPAN IN APRIL!), and Chibi Vampire, Hana-Kimi, Basara, The Empty Empire, From Far Away, Merupuri, Her Majesty’s Dog, Black Cat, Trigun, Last Exile, Nadia…I could just keep going on…
Man, just one great thing, among many, about anime is how much variety there is, which is great for my eclectic tastes!! Long live anime!
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
anime is more then what most ppl think to really understand u have to be able to see with eyes unclouded and sadly i have not meat manny ppl like that but i love all there is about anime japan is turly a wonders place………
April 7th, 2008 at 11:47 am
no one seem to enjoy anime and manga teh way i do. even in my family. my parents dont seem to accept my ability to draw anime and manga, or me watching it
April 9th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
god…i feel so bad for you , my family and few friends think im wierd…but thats just ’cause i am…depressed…
April 13th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I like cartoons…heh!
April 29th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
inyuasha is the best out of anime
April 30th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Um….anyone who doesn’t like anime has a serious problem. Especially if they’re on an anime site. If anyone agrees with me, Email me at MiseryHinata@rasalvatore.com
I’m always there.
May 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I LOVE ANIME!!!!!! i’m obsessive over it and just can’t get enough. There just isn’t enough of it on TV. I will watch just about of it, it’s great!!!! I reli don’t see how anyone could not like it.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Okay everyone who says you love anime i love you!!!!! ignore any bad comments against us here because they only put those put to annoy and infurate you, will you let them? i think you shouldnt! okay and now onto the next piece of bussiness. anyone looking to roleplay anime’s im game, im BIG into Naruto and Inuyasha rp and will be up for others too. i also like deathnote and FMA and of course BLEACH ^_^ anyone looking to talk or rp msg me on yahoo msg as jtownghost or email me at jtownghost@yahoo.com
plz msg me!
May 6th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I agree with everyone! Anime is awesome. At scool, I’m like the only person who like anime, so finding a bunch of other people who do too is awesome. Even with my friends, I’m the only one. Some of my faves are: Bleach, Chrono Crusade, Furuba, FMA, Full Moon wo Sagashite, Ouran High School Host Club, D. Gray Man, D.N. Angel, Ayashi no Ceres, Death Note, Fairy Tail, Penguin Brothers, +Anima, Matantei Loki Ragnarok, and I could go on all day. Aha ha, I’m such a dork! But who really cares… If you want to chat or have some recommendations, email me at : tokyohamster5@aim.com! Bye!
BTW, I don’t hate Naruto, I just find it…unamusing. No offense to anyone who loves it, I’m not a hater.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:39 am
i don’t watch anime, i dont read manga but i have looked it up and it intrigues me, and i also enjoy drawing it…i think from what people have said here…i’m going to try get a couple of books and movies. it sounds really good!!!
May 16th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
i LOVE inuyasha!!! anyone who doesn’t can die!!!
May 28th, 2008 at 11:03 am
it agree with shiori and any one who loves anime and manga the way we do on this site
ohh! have you seen the new show an adult swim? its pretty good
May 29th, 2008 at 11:49 am
this is a girl from a small town saying she loves anime, well I would like everyone to think I am normal… but what is not normal about lovin anime!? I think I would like to see more mangas in my area but since the town i live in is retarded and full of druggies you don’t see many anime fans… But I have seen most of them, Fruits Basket, Meru puri, Ultra Maniac, Naruto, Bleach, Deathnote, Blood Plus, Code Geass, are the ones i most openly watch seeing as I only watch adultswim 24/7 wish they would get a whole lot more anime on there. I don’t know if anyone has heard of kodocha, but here it is a mystery word. But I would just like to say that INUYASHA ROCKS!!!!!!! THAT IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SHOW, I WILL GIVE UP ANYTHING TO WATCH IT! SERIOUSLY I’M OBSESSED. KINDA WRONG? LOL ITS FUNNY HOW I OBSESS
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:09 am
e7l, i think we would get along very well. though that would probebly protain to any 1 here. but unless u dont like pervs. then im destined an eternaly lonly life. 4 the record im goth not emo. any way have you guys ever heard of outlaw star. it was on adult swim years ago when i started to watch adult swim. that was when i was 6-7 and im 15 now