5 Things You May Not Know About Anime

Depending on their first exposure to anime, many people may have futuristic, dark, cheesy, or risqué pictures flash into their minds when they hear the word "anime." However, I am here to tell you about just what it is and isn't, and hopefully give a well rounded impression of what it represents to countless people. Sure, we spend lots of time watching it, but that's because anime hits on themes not reached for in America like personal freedom, shy romance, ultimate control, and the beauty of nakama (Japanese term that means friends/crew. A term that identifies friends to be as close as family, like homies, but better).

1) It is a style, not a genre

In fact, it simply means animation. It's technically just the abbreviated version of how "animation" is pronounced in Japanese. In Japan, the word "anime" refers to all types of animation, but in America and many other countries around the world, anime refers to the style of animation that was developed in Japan.

2) Within the style, there are several genres!

Anime fans have several levels and types of anime to chose from. They range from the innocent Kamisama Hajimemashita, a supernatural story of a girl who accidentally becomes an earth goddess and falls for her annoyed fox-demon assistant, to Bleach, an uber popular and loooong anime about Ichigo, a teenager who becomes a soul reaper of sorts (in a good way) and learns to be a part of Soul Society with all its dangers. Despite these odd sounding themes, many sweet and endearing movies are made using the animation style as well.

Kamisama Hajimemashita

Ichigo from Bleach (would you believe his name means strawberry?)

My Neighbor Totoro by Studio Ghibli
(most adorable movie ever, just sayin')

3) It is usually fantasy...

This is quite obvious, especially from those previous examples. Within fantasy however, there are many different kinds: Bleach would one of those that involves death in a major way, not because there's lots of it but because it involves the afterlife/control over death, there are others like this like Angel Beats (pure GOLD), and Death Note. Other types would be romantic like Kamisama H., in which one knows it must end with a kiss or else fans may storm the studios, of these there are infinitely more.

4) It often has amazing character development

For example, One Piece is a very famous and long (still running at 588 20minute episodes) anime that tends to run on the goofy side. Its strongest theme is friendship, the protagonist being Luffy, a ditsy but powerful captain who slowly acquires a crew of loyal and bad a** people. Each person is given at least a dozen episodes at some point, until you've come to love every unique character and understand their stories and journeys, sounds cheesy right? Angel Beats is also an amazing example of character development.

Luffy in red, and notice the guy w/ 3 swords

 (when he puts on the bandana, stuffs going down)

5) Lastly, It's almost ALWAYS best in Japanese

That's right, so get to used subtitle reading. The voice actors in Japan are apparently much more serious about their acting, and the casting directors much better qualified, because English Dub vs. Original Japanese? Huge difference. Sometimes it's not just the actors in our dubs, but the people/voices chosen that don't fit at all. While there are the occasional exceptions, and it is based on preference, anime is almost always best in Japanese.

So there you are! Anime is a style of animation that has lots of genres and uses, but is most often -and most popularly- fantasy. It often creates amazing characters, and is usually best in Japanese. One important thing I hope you learned from this is that just because it is animation, doesn't mean it fits the description "cartoon." It often has much more complicated, interesting, and sometimes downright beautiful story lines that can't be found anywhere else. As a final note, if you are starting to get interested in these shows, here are a few resources. I highly recommend One Piece as it pulls you right in, and Angel Beats because by the end of the 13 episode long series, you will want to cry and explode with too many feels. Though I do warn you, Angel Beats is very confusing at the beginning, but it becomes amazing soon enough ^v^. Both animecrazy and animeflavor are good places to start. Enjoy!

Angel Beats!

http://www.animecrazy.net/one-piece-episode-list/

http://www.animecrazy.net/angel-beats-anime/

check out the author's Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxwGv2E1Sg4P2mp67gB8mUA/videos