The Cultural Significance Of ‘Anime’

The definition of Anime, pronounced “AH-knee” may, and derived from the English word 'animation' is the term used for cartoons in Japan. The first Japanese cartoons were produced in the early twentieth century, but anime only took off as a creative form after World War II, especially in the 1960s, when animation became a centerpiece in the young medium of television. Today, anime is widely available in Japan on TV, as feature films, and through OVA (original video animation), productions released directly to DVD and on the Internet. Many consider manga to be the origin: the creative spirit and energy that spawned anime, and later video games and merchandising spin-offs. In many cases manga defined the template for the key genres-shōjo, shōnen, gekiga and so on-which have come to dominate the wider popular culture of Japan today. While manga established the roots of this style during the post-war period, it was through anime that a broader global audience became aware of the complexity of Japanese visual culture. As Douglas McGray observed: "Japan is reinventing superpower-again. Instead of collapsing beneath its widely reported political and economic misfortunes, Japan's global cultural influence has quietly grown. From pop music to consumer electronics, architecture to fashion, and animation to cuisine, Japan looks more like a cultural superpower today than it did back in the 1980s when it was an economic one''. Manga and anime often deal with themes and subjects that are not typically found in Western comic books or cartoons. For example, manga and anime often feature strong female protagonists, as well as homosexual and bisexual characters. This has led to some criticism of manga and anime, with some people claiming that they promote values that are not traditional or "family-friendly." However, there is also a great deal of support for manga and anime. Many people believe that these forms of entertainment are a positive cultural force, particularly when it comes to promoting the acceptance of LGBT people. Manga and anime often reflect the values and concerns of their creators and audiences. This is because these media are generally created with a specific audience in mind, and so they tend to cater to the interests of that audience. It is important to note that manga and anime are not always aimed at a specific audience. Some manga and anime, for example, may be geared toward general audiences or even adults. Regardless of the target audience, however, we can still say that these forms of media often reflect certain values and concerns. Overall, then, I think it is clear that manga and anime can serve as windows into the values and concerns of their creators and audiences. anime has had a significant impact on the way that people view Japanese culture. In the past, many Westerners saw Japan as a mysterious and exotic place. However, through anime, people have been able to see a more realistic portrayal of Japanese culture. This has led to a greater understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture in the eyes of the rest of the world. Some people argue that anime is too violent or sexualized. Others argue that it promotes negative stereotypes about Japanese people. However, overall, anime has had a mostly positive impact on both Japanese and Western cultures. Japanese culture is heavily reflected in animes' via the use of locations. This provides a sense of authenticity to the people who know the country well and helps immerse them into the world of anime. Another way that anime reflects Japanese culture is through its characters. Anime characters often embody traditional Japanese values such as respect for elders, hard work, and loyalty. They also often exhibit characteristics that are specific to Japanese culture,  such as a love of sushi or sake (alcohol).

Akshat Animesh is a Semester III student the of BBA.

Article edited by Prof. Cdr Himanshu Joshi.