So What Is Whole Thing About?Well, to begin from the very basics, we need to know some simple terminology. Or words in Japanese. Manga is the Japanese word for "comics", while Anime is the Japanese world for Japanese "cartoons". Anime are usually based on a manga, especially those that run on as episodes, but not always.
An Otaku is someone who is unashamably in love with Manga and/or Anime. In Japan, this is generally confined to nerd-dom and social dorkism, but in other countries it is recognised to include a wide spectrum of people. People who are otaku are usually veterens of the whole idea of manga and anime, though anyone can be an otaku provided they go crazy enough over it.
The illustrator and/or writer of a Manga is a
Manga-ka.
Though they usually split into illustrators and story-makers;
some multi-talented people are capable of producing both skilfully.
The voice actors in Anime have an industry of their own, and are
expected to be multi-talented too. Apart from being able to voice-act
a character's voice, they are also expected to sing theme songs (well)
and have concerts. These people are called
Seiyuu,
and are very versatile with the
roles they play. Because their lifestyle depends on getting a role,
that's why.
I know what the heading says, but I don't believe it fair to compare anime and cartoons. The two mediums don't really have common ground on which to compare. They are both animated, but there are many factors that influence what mind frame they are made with, and consequently their very essence. It is misleading to simply assume that anime is "better" than cartoons, or will forever be "better" than cartoons because of artistic superiority, or mature subject matters, or because you like it. Strangely enough, it is this small bit of common ground they have that deem them to be flipsides of the same coin - as animation. It's the breadth of genres available in anime that differentiates it from cartoons. When looked at in this sense, it's the audience these two mediums are aimed at that causes the great divide.
Most people will define "cartoons" as animation made by Americans, and "anime" as animation made in Japan, which is fine. However, it's necessary to keep in mind that there are many other countries in the World that produces animation - which will inevitably fall into the "cartoon" category, because they are produced with the same mind-frame as cartoons in America are. Japan, however, differs in that they don't have any particular "rules" by which animated films have to follow. If you can dream it, they can draw it, and they will. While this credits Japan with alot of the fine entertainment we get from anime, fans shouldn't be stamping a "Made in Japan Only" label on anime products. This is because while the storyboards, characters and keyframes are drawn in Japan, the in-between frames are often subcontracted out to other countries with lower costs of labour. Korea, China or Thailand are the usual choice - it's very, very rare for an animated feature to be made purely in Japan. The labour costs will go through the roof. Therefore, while anime is a wonderful cultural export of Japan, it's important to remember that "anime" can also be produced in other countries. That is, if they had the audience, money, talent and experience to establish an industry out of it.
But back to the topic - "How are anime different to cartoons"? Well, we all know the basics. Some that are often brought up is the better art and mature storylines. Anime has much more detailed character and background art than cartoons, with a very distinctive style (namely the large eyes and big hair), and is allowed free-reign in the story department. The latter, especially, is what attracts people in droves to watch anime - the storylines can often be totally far-fetched, zany and fantastical. Strangely enough, no matter how ridiculous or plain fluffy the plots may get, people always seem to be able to find something in it that touches on their own lives. Whatever it is they find is very personal, and the rest feeds that much-needed little fire inside everyone's soul - the imagination. Which is the essence of anime, as some people will say. Unbridled, uncontrolled, unpretentious imagination running amok simply because it wants to. To some it represents freedom, because anything is possible; because it isn't confined by the laws of physics and the drone of mundane everyday life.
Dubbed Anime is translated anime, with a translated
script and different voice actors (ie. non-Japanese).
It doesn't have to be in English, but usually is. Many
dubbed anime is enough to make you cringe, but some
are quite good; when the voice actors care about the
character they are playing. The bad ones usually has a
watered down plot, trashy script and voice actors
that just speak their lines (or rasp it out in a way
you'll never properly hear what they're saying).
Many people would prefer subbed anime, which is
anime with sub-titles at the bottom translating
what the characters are saying at a moment. In this
way, you'll get to read a direct translation (usually
more accurate) and hear the way the original voice
actors speak. However, if you can't stand reading
subtitles then the only alternative is dubbed anime.
Anime is distributed in many western countries via
Software Sculptors,
Viz Video,
Manga Video,
(a subsidiary of another video company; any idea,
anyone?) and a lot of other smaller outlets.
If you hang around at your local video
stall in Europe, America or Australia they should
have a section on anime. If you live in Asia (ie.
in Hong Kong, Korea, etc) you should have known
about anime for years. The name of the Manga Video
company caused a lot of resentment with otakus;
since everyone knows that manga refers to Japanese
comics. This seemed to have cooled down since Manga
Video has released some classics such as Patlabor
and Wings of Honneaise (did I spell that wrong?).
There are also other distributers of Anime, including
those who sell subtitled versions in import stalls.
You can also order a wide range of internet products
off the net if you know where to look. Here's a good place to look:
How Are "Anime" Different To "Cartoons"?
What Is "Dubbed" Anime?
Where Can I Get Anime?
Danger! Danger!
But be warned! Though Manga Videos are easy to get your
hands on, they have in reality released a lot of
garbage onto the market. About 90% of it's senseless
violence or witless pornography, simply because many
good anime has a very traditional Japanese streak in
it or the rights to it are too expensive (usually
TV series). Fortunately
the good ones are very good, so they are
definately worth checking out. Stuff like Patlabor,
Giant Robo, SamuraiX, Wings of Honneasie, Lupin III, Macross
(all of it), Gunsmith Cats and all Miyazaki
Hayao (surname first) films. Needless to say the
videos are all dubbed (ie. with translated scripts
and English voice actors), but unfortunately not
fantastically well. Some of them are well
done, but others are catastrophic; when the script
is destroyed so is the storyline. For these
translation disasters, the script often
undergoes butchery, and the voice actors are very
uninspiring. Try Giant Robo...oh, the voice
acting! In this case, the subtitled version is
recommended, because you may have a better chance
of being able to understand the plot than you
would if you watched the English version.
HOME