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Anime is, simply put, the Japanese word for animation. Japan puts out animation for all age levels in movie and TV series format (also known as OAV's). Many Americans, however, use it to refer to the style of artwork that most of Anime has in common, normally the "big eyes" that tend to catch the attention of so many people
Why Anime and Manga are not the same!
Anime, as previously mentioned, is animation. Manga is the word for Japanese comic books. (The original Manga was a series of pieces of artwork that pictured the common people of Japan, but it eventually came to mean funny pictures, or comic books.) While both tend to employ similar art styles and story-telling methods, one is on the big or small screen (as the case may be) and the other, of course, is the artwork on paper or in book form. (So, technically, the anime gallery on this page is a manga gallery, but the characters are from anime, so.. )
The Phenomena of Anime in America
Speed Racer was (as far as I know) the first Anime series to be imported to the states and it still a well-known series over here.(Although, not my favorite!) The 1980's saw series' like Voltron and Thundercats being aired. The 1990's, while almost over, have been an explosion of anime in America, Canada, Mexico and many other countries. Not only are serieses and movies being translated into English, but the artwork and story telling styles are affecting, at the least, American culture is undeniable ways. The "anime style" is showing up in American movie animation and cartoons. (A similar phenomena is occuring in manga and american comic books/artwork, especially among teenagers.) I've been hard pressed not to see someone wearing a shirt with a "cutesy anime girl" on the front. Teenagers taking to dying their hair in anime-inspired colors are equally easy to spot in your local mall. And there's a heightening of knowledge in our culture of the word anime. It may one day replace cartoon or animation here in America, at the rate it's going! Don't believe me, just ask your kid what "Pokemon" is! (You're likely to get a *Pika, pika* out of them!) :)!
Misinterpretations of the Intent of Anime
Many people, who are not accustomed to anime yet, find themselves completely confused, shocked, or occassionally utterly disgusted, when they discover that the "cartoon movie" (anime) that they just bought is not fit for most to watch. (Or in most cases, in my humble opinion, not fit for ANY!) The truth is, anime corners most of the domestic movie market in Japan, unlike America. While most movies here are live-action no matter the rating, the opposite is true in Japan, so all age levels and (not always kosher) interests are represented in these cartoon series' and movies. However, suitable and often, very entertaining movies and series can be found in the anime genre (which, genre, it has really become here in America) can be found for all ages.
