Variations in Animation in Different Cultures

Animation in different cultures

Animation has a variety of differences between Japanese culture and the culture of the United States. While animation is usually made for the sole purpose of entertainment for children in the United States, Japanese animation, also known as anime as it is referred to both in Japan and in the West, is a form of media that is enjoyed by people of all ages. Unlike the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob Square pants, both very popular American animations shows in their times, anime focuses more on drama and other non childlike qualities. The differing cultures of the United States and Japan can be considered the main factor to the huge differences in their own respected animation styles.

Anime is considered a pop culture phenomenon. Many critics and fans argue as to whether this form of entertainment is actually a type of art at all or simply a media craze. Critics of animation argue whether anime, while extremely popular in Japanese culture today and increasingly so in the Western world, should be held up alongside famous Japanese traditions such as haiku and woodblock prints. Many see anime as nothing more than a typical entertainment phase and that it will lose its social status and eventually disappear all together. However, anime has a strong growing market today and shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon.

Anime differs greatly from the animation found in the United States today. Browsing a entertainment shop in Japan, a person might find videos ranging from classic love and betrayal stories, to stories leading up to the apocalypse, and anything in between. Originating in 1945, the first anime featured film Momotaro umi no shinpei translated as Momotaro’s Divine Sea Warriors...

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...ences in their cultures. The Japanese see animation as simply another form in which to convey entertainment such as drama, suspense, love, and betrayal. They believe that animation is simply another valid form of entertainment for adults and children alike to watch, depending on the material shown in it. However, American culture sees animation as simply an entertainment device that is mostly aimed at elementary school children as “real” television shows are too mature or complex for the mentality of younger viewers. The few American animations that are aimed at adults are simply satirical comedies with little to no deeper values. This is because Americans in general believe that such mature themes are best left to actors in dramas and on the movie screen. Needless to say, Japanese anime and American cartoons vary greatly due to the diverse cultures of each country.