An Introduction to Anime

Presented by Karen Stapleton

English Consultant, AISNSW

kstapleton@aisnsw.edu.au
 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