Japanese Animation - Also Known as Anime by Steve Kelley

When you think of Japan, what do you imagine? Sporty cars, raw fish and rice for dinner, or geisha-inspired fashion? Many people would instantly think of Japan's distinct cartoons: anime.

While "anime" is the shortened version of "animation," the term isn't associated with Disney characters or any other cartoons. Instead, it is instantly and always association with Japanese cartoons.

You may be interested in the history of anime. Traditional Japanese art included visions of floating worlds made from woodblock art. North American animation started influencing Japanese artists after World War II, and soon the mixture of both of these influences resulted in Manga. Manga evolved into anime, and you can still see many of its strongest features in today's versions, including giant robots and the complex and mature storylines.

Despite the usual connotation of cartoons being for children, many storylines in manga are complex. Even if you read only a few manga comic books, you'll find a variety of love triangles, humor, and social commentary. There's also a wild combination of violence, superheroes and sex scenes. With all of the different elements, the characters vary a lot, so most people are able to find one or two favorites for their own tastes.

While the variety in characters, action and storylines may be what holds your attention with manga, it's likely the constant elements that first hooks people. As soon as you hear the word "manga," you probably imagine the large eyes and distinct body type (smaller body in proportion to the head) of the characters. The large eyes are cute, plus they show the emotions of the characters very well. It's not uncommon for the artists to draw overflowing tears to represent any strong emotion in manga.

Anime is not only celebrated in TV and prints but also in fashion and the Web. Popular characters can also be found on clothing and other items such as notebooks and jewelry.

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