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An Introduction To Anime: Presented by Karen Stapleton English Consultant, AISNSW Kstapleton@aisnsw - Edu.au

This document provides an overview of anime, including its origins in Japan, evolution over time, key studios and creators, common elements, and visual conventions for characters. It traces anime's roots in manga and early animation from the 1900s-1960s, the influential work of Osamu Tezuka in the 1960s, and the growth and expanding genres of anime through the 1970s-1990s as it gained global popularity. Major studios like Studio Ghibli and Production IG are highlighted.

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231 views15 pages

An Introduction To Anime: Presented by Karen Stapleton English Consultant, AISNSW Kstapleton@aisnsw - Edu.au

This document provides an overview of anime, including its origins in Japan, evolution over time, key studios and creators, common elements, and visual conventions for characters. It traces anime's roots in manga and early animation from the 1900s-1960s, the influential work of Osamu Tezuka in the 1960s, and the growth and expanding genres of anime through the 1970s-1990s as it gained global popularity. Major studios like Studio Ghibli and Production IG are highlighted.

Uploaded by

Wasp_007_007
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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An Introduction to Anime

Presented by Karen Stapleton

English Consultant, AISNSW

[email protected]
Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

What is anime?

 Anime: (pronounced ah-nee-may)

The term broadly refers to the shortened Japanese interpretation


of the word Animation referring to animated moving-image films.
More specifically Anime (which itself draws heavily on the
Japanese printed comic tradition known as Manga) refers to a
very specific style of Japanese cartoon-like animation. Anime
emphasizes particular stylistic accents predominantly in relation
to the depiction of human characters.
Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

Anime

 Has become THE major way in which non-Japanese are


exposed to Japanese culture

 “Otaku” = fan  anime films are NOT cartoons.

 Appeal to a broad audience now – note range of anime film


classifications: PG  R

 Sophisticated and complex films


Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

What’s great about anime

 Intricate plots and storylines

 Wide variety of topics, genres and styles

 strong emotive appeal – meant to ‘fire up’ emotions, responses

 importance of values in anime films eg sincerity, courage and


perseverance.

 Quality of Artwork – concentrate on detail (rather than fluidity of


motion); cinematic effects in artwork.

 Combines artistic expression and powerful entertainment


Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

Formats of anime

 TV episodes/ series

 OAV or OVA  Original Animation Video: released as direct


videos/DVDs for home rentals

 Full length feature films  for cinema/theatre release


Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

How Anime evolved: The early, pre-TV era: 1917- 62

 Originally based on fairy tales (Japanese + Western)

 Used same animation techniques as elsewhere in the world

 1930s and during WW2  studios controlled and censored 


only able to produce propaganda or militaristic pieces

 Post war decade: industry in decline; lack of


infrastructure/buildings etc  growth of manga industry
(cheaper)

 1950s – revival of Japanese movie industry; “studio system”


Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

How Anime evolved - 1960s, a landmark decade for


anime!
 Alakazam the Great (1960) - based on Osamu Tezuki’s comic
book adaptation of ancient Monkey King legend; movie used his
plot and visual style.

 Tezuki – most popular comic book artist (eg Astro Boy);


regarded as having invented Japan’s modern ‘manga’ industry;
pioneered many innovations in style and form and genre;
incorporated many of the stylistic forms of film into his work

 TV animation studio, Mushi Productions founded by Osamu


Tezuki in 1962. First TV anime, Astro Boy, released (preceded
by a live-action show in 1959)
Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

How Anime evolved

Tezuka’s influence:

 Popularity of TV animation

 Established the attitude that ‘cartooning’ was an acceptable


form of storytelling for any age group

 Created sophisticated adult animation in a range of genres

 Pioneered artwork styles and techniques

 Productions represented the links: Manga  live-action  TV


 feature films
Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

How anime evolved – 1970s

 Flood of giant robot stories and toy-promotional features eg


Tetsujin 28-GO TV series (in US “Gigantor”) – machine
transformations; sci-fi genre

 Appearance, costumes etc influenced by samurai and


Japanese martial arts traditions and hand-to-hand combat

 Great heroes and epic stories became prominent; more


‘theatrical releases’ based on Leiji Matsumoto’s manga tales of
heroism, courage, humanity set against vast panorama of
space and strange worlds  Space operas!
Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

How anime evolved – 1980s

 Cinema/theatre anime challenges dominance of TV anime


 Development of anime storylines as well as expansion in genre
and new ‘talents’
 1983 – release of the first OVA , Dallos, directed by Mamoru Oshii
– his rise to fame!
 OVAs – led to new development in anime – the sexually explicit,
erotic story (had long existed in manga).
 Popularity of films by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata: success
of anime film, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984) led to their
establishment of Studio Ghibli
 Akira – 1988; set in dystopian Tokyo in 2019; huge impact on
American audiences
Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

How anime evolved – 1990s

 Rise in anime production companies & greater global


distribution

 As original viewers matured demanded more complex


narratives and higher quality product

 Development of OVA/TV/movie crossover series

 Increased popularity of shojo anime (many based on CLAMP’s


manga)

 Greater use of computers in animation


Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

TraditionalTop 5 Anime Studios & creators

 Studio Ghibli - Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess


Mononoke)

 Production IG – Mitsuhisa Ishikawa (Ghost in the Shell, Kill Bill


anime sequence)

 Gonzo - (Chrono Crusade, Last Exile, Hellsin, Final Fantasy)

 Gainax – Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

 Sunrise (Cowboy Bebop, Mobile Suit Gundam) - giant robots!


Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

Key elements in anime

 Manga is a major source for anime stories

 Distinctive character and background aesthetics that visually set


it apart from other forms of animation

 Pacing and rhythm of the action; timing and editing

 Framing; camera & other cinematic effects used in the


animation

 Visual structuring of the action/ detailed backgrounds

 Use of music; music can play a major role in the plot


Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

Key elements in anime

 Anime filmed and then voices are added

 Long narrative structures + twists and unpredictability of plot /


endings / fate of characters etc.

 Characters (chara) are complex and multidimensional; their


feelings are important in anime and shape their actions

 Inclusion of Japanese cultural details

 Use of comedy
Presented by Karen Stapleton, AISNSW

Main “chara” traits & visual conventions

 Chara are usually of mixed ancestry/race – don’t look Japanese


even if action is set in Japan
 Hair – colour, shades, styles and movement.
 Waists – often slim, small, tiny for females and males, although
some variation for men.
 Eyes – big, large, giant, non-Asian eyes are common
 Female breasts = often large, pert, bouncy - “defy gravity”
 Key thematic motifs = doll with a soul and/or cybernetic
humans; giant robots

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