can anime only be asian

by Addison Nitzsche 9 min read
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Anime is a Japanese loanword used to refer to any sort of animation. Outside of Japan, in other countries, anime is generally considered to be a type of a cartoon. You can make a cartoon in a style similar to anime, but it can't truly be considered an anime.

Should anime only come from Japan?

Some anime-enthusiast consider the term ‘anime’ as solely Japanese animation, and would argue that anime should only come from Japan. However, in Japan itself, ‘anime’ is a general term for animation.

Is Chinese anime the same as anime?

It is… Japanese. Anime means, a “Japanese animation film made production. Technically, you wouldn’t use the word anime for the term of a Chinese animation. Anime is mostly used referring to the Japanese animation. I heard you can call Chinese anime as Donghua or Manhua but, sometimes it confuses with Manhwa for Korean.

Is anime free to be called Anime?

If an anime is made in Japan (especially if the original language of creation is Japanese) then it is free to be called anime. Same goes for manga.

What is the difference between anime and manga?

4 Answers. Anime doesn't HAVE to be strictly Japanese, but some rules have to be followed for this (the same applies to "manga," the comic book version of anime). If an anime is made in Japan (especially if the original language of creation is Japanese) then it is free to be called anime. Same goes for manga.

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Is anime considered Asian culture?

The field of televised Japanese animation, popularly known as “anime” (a word derived from the French term for animation), has always led a curious double life. While anime is often considered to be the quintessential expression of Japanese culture, its greatest documents are scandalously un-Japanese.

Can there be American anime?

No. It must be done in Japan, for a Japanese audience. Of which we (at least me) as American(s), watch. Hence Airbender, is not anime.

Can anime only be Japanese?

Animation created outside of Japan can be inspired by anime, but it can't actually be anime because it simply lacks that Japanese je ne sais quoi.

Are anime characters Asian or white?

The Japanese see anime characters as being Japanese. It is Americans who think they are white. Why? Because to them white is the Default Human Being.

Can a non Japanese person make anime?

Yes and the list is growing. There is an increasing number of foreign-born mangaka in the industry today. That being said, the road to becoming a success in this field isn't generally seen as an easy one. Classic anime and manga have strong roots in Japanese culture.

Is there a non Japanese anime?

But Japan's style of animation has grown so popular as to influence the rest of the world, and we're now seeing all kinds of non-Japanese anime from various regions of the world. In some cases, Western animation studios are creating their own anime-influenced works.

Is SpongeBob an anime?

The SpongeBob SquarePants Anime, simply referred to as SpongeBob SquarePants (Japanese: スポンジ・ボブ Hepburn: Suponji Bobu, pronounced Spongey Bobbu) is an ongoing Japanese anime television series produced by Neptune Studios to produce a quality fan series built around his and Narmak's ideas.

Are there any black anime characters?

10 Of The Best Black Anime Characters1 Fire Emblem, AKA Nathan Seymour — Tiger & Bunny.2 Atsuko Jackson — Michiko & Hatchin. ... 3 Dutch — Black Lagoon. ... 4 Michiko Malandro — Michiko & Hatchin. ... 5 Killer B — Naruto Shippuden. ... 6 Canary — Hunter X Hunter. ... 7 Kilik Rung — Soul Eater. ... 8 Yoruichi Shihoin — Bleach. ... More items...•

Is Naruto Japanese or Chinese?

JapaneseThe character Naruto Uzumaki, who debuted in a Japanese manga in 1997 and now stars in films and TV series, is featured in a new smartphone game made by Tencent. The franchise's popularity in China is stoked by animated episodes streamed on an Alibaba-backed video website.

Can anime be real?

There is actually a large amount of anime based on real events, whether they be large scale or events that simply happened to the author. Let's take a look at some far-fetched anime that were actually inspired by real events!

What animes are set in America?

However, once every while fans are showcased anime that takes place in America and not just a place that look like the United States.1 Michiko And Hatchin.2 Speed Racer. ... 3 Space Brothers. ... 4 Supernatural The Animation. ... 5 Steins;Gate: Egoistic Poriomania. ... 6 Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom. ... 7 Baccano! ... 8 91 Days. ... More items...•

What is the first anime that was made in the USA?

Dragon QuestThe first anime in the US in the 1990s, Dragon Warrior (also known as Dragon Quest), based on the video game series, aired in 1989 in Japan and 1990 in the US by Saban Entertainment. The show was created by Akira Toriyama, the same person who made the Dragon Ball series.

Does anime have to be made in Japan to be anime?

Outside of Japan and in English, anime refers to Japanese animation, and refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japanese, anime (a term derived from a shortening of the English word animation) describes all animated works, regardless of style or origin.

Why is anime only made in Japan?

This is because, for Japanese, anime refers to any work that is animated. To anyone outside of Japan, it gets murkier. Americans specifically use the noun to mean "animation created within Japan".

Is Betty Boop an anime?

Take, for example, this Japanese DVD cover. Here, Betty Boop is being described as an “antique anime.”. American animator Max Fleischer first drew the famous cartoon flapper girl in 1930. So, even though it’s not Japanese, it’s anime.

Is RWBY an anime?

You can acknowledge the nod to anime, but you can’t outright call it anime.

Is pizza easier to define than anime?

The issue here is that pizza is easier to define than anime. When seeking a formal definition of anime, once you start poking and prodding, it all becomes a little bit fuzzy.

Is anime a cash grab?

Creating anime-inspired content should be an homage, not a cash grab. This requires researching anime, knowing the titans in the industry, and understanding its importance to Japanese culture. That being said, one thing is frustratingly clear: the definition of anime remains frustratingly unclear!

Gatekeeping in the anime community

Gatekeeping in the anime community is common. I’ve already talked about it before. Most people are doing it wrong.

1. The God Of Highschool

The God Of Highschool is adapted from Korean webtoons. And made into…. an anime series.

2. RWBY

RWBY was made in America, making this drastically different to The God Of Highschool.

3. The Tower Of God

The Tower of God, similar to The God Of Highschool, is a popular webtoon series in South Korea.

4. Avatar: The Last Airbender

Avatar is no doubt a seriously popular series made in the USA. So just like RWBY, it’s not made on Japanese soil.

Do Japanese fans believe anime can be made outside Japan?

This is something I’ve struggled to find evidence of. Most opinions are always people trying to speak for the Japanese as if they share the same view point.

What is anime in Japan?

Anime is a Japanese loanword used to refer to any sort of animation. Outside of Japan, in other countries, anime is generally considered to be a type of a cartoon. You can make a cartoon in a style similar to anime, but it can't truly be considered an anime. Why not, you ask?

Is anime the same as ethnic food?

While you can say it's ethnic food, it's just not the same. Strictly speaking, 'anime' is just animations produced within Japan, as it's the Japanese word for cartoons/animations, but their distinctive style sometimes dictates how people define them term 'anime'.

Is anime considered anime?

To the Japanese, it's still considered anime. This is because, for Japanese, anime refers to any work that is animated. To anyone outside of Japan, it gets murkier. Americans specifically use the noun to mean "animation created within Japan". So, since it wasn't created in Japan, it's not an anime as Americans would recognize it.

Is anime made in Japan?

Anime is what it is today thanks to the efforts made in Japan for the sake of the genre. It's just like having your ethnic food in a foreign country. Some times it gets close but most of the time it'll have to acknowledge that it's not the same as if you had it in your home country.

Is anime a Japanese language?

Anime doesn't HAVE to be strictly Japanese, but some rules have to be followed for this (the same applies to "manga," the comic book version of anime). If an anime is made in Japan (especially if the original language of creation is Japanese) then it is free to be called anime. Same goes for manga.

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What Does Anime Actually Mean?

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The dispute typically begins here: the word “anime” (shortened from “animēshon“) is the Japanese pronunciation of the word “animation.” In Japan, the word is often used as a blanket term for all animated content no matter where it’s from. This means “anime” could describe Dragon Ball and Disney alike; they’re both animated…
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Why Don’T We Just Qualify It?

  • Most Western fans tend to be rigid with the definition of anime. They claim the term can only be used to define non-Japanese animation when qualified. This is why you’ll hear people describe the web series RWBY (made by American production company, Rooster Teeth) as an American anime. Or you’ll notice fans dub Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korraas anime-in…
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But Seriously — What Is Anime?

  • The issue here is that pizza is easier to define than anime. When seeking a formal definition of anime, once you start poking and prodding, it all becomes a little bit fuzzy. Must anime come from a manga? Surely, the success of Cowboy Bebophas shut this theory down. Does anime describe a specific visual style? Relying on an “I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it” approach is insuff…
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The Verdict

  • So is that it — is anime only defined as being animation from Japan? Maybe. Because the discussion surrounding cultural appropriation is so prevalent in our current racial climate, we know we must borrow from other cultures with utmost respect. Creating anime-inspired content should be an homage, not a cash grab. This requires researching anime, kn...
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