Difference Between Cartoon and Anime
@lululastrange (339)
United States
May 19, 2009 5:41pm CST
Many erroneously believe that the term cartoon and the term anime are synonymous, but they could not be more wrong.
Cartoons are usually produced and marketed for a younger generation, generally the under fourteen crowd (Though there is an ever increasing following for adult themed cartoons including Seth McFarland's creations and the Cartoon Network late night line up, christened Adult Swim). They are filled with cartoon violence (which is different then fantasy violence), sporadic plots (if any at all) and plenty of sight gags.
Anime's are epic, well developed master pieces. Whether it be a full length movie or a string of short episodes, each anime strives for character development, engaging plot and most importantly exploring the creator's vision in a way that would be impossible to emulate with a live action movie.
Personally, I love both. A short attention span marries well with the traditional cartoon. On the other hand, I love the drama and anticipation that carries all the way till the end of a great anime.
My personal favorite cartoons are: 2 Stupid Dogs, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Invader Zim and The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy
My personal favorite animes are: Evangelion, Dirty Pair and Samurai Champloo...
Each of these shows goes above and beyond the typical animated media. They are dark and twisted and strange, each with their own unique point of view, character's and plots.
The real question here is this: If you do have a preference for one over the other, what is it and why?
Do you love the traditional Tex Avery style cartoon, or do you prefer the manga inspired anime? Do you like your cartoons to include cats and mice or do you like your animes full of bodacious babes and charming hero's?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@DarkDancer (1011)
• Dayton, Ohio
20 May 09
Actually, in Japan, Anime is simply animation regardless of style or origin. However, here (in the U.S.) at least it is mostly used to refer to animation from Japan. I'm not going to go into my favorite animes, there are a lot of them.....
1 person likes this
@lululastrange (339)
• United States
20 May 09
Watch Cowboy Beebop and then watch some Tom and Jerry and tell me there is no difference...
@Jimeous (858)
• New Zealand
16 Jun 09
Anime is animation originating from Japan, or so it started. In Japan almost all cartoons, irregardless of which country they are made, is commonly called Anime.
As for the age groups of Cartoons and Anime, well there are absolutely no differences. Anime Series such as Sazae-san and Doraemon are examples of anime that are similar to Western Style Cartoons, and cater for younger children. Of course let's not forget Pokemon, one of the most well known of Anime.
If you asked me about Anime Style, I'd have to say, that Anime Cartoons are recognizable by the characters overly large eyes
@willjosh (50)
• Philippines
20 May 09
Anime came from the word "animation," so technically, any animation can be considered anime. But in the present context, anime is different from cartoons because anime is regarded to have a japanese origin (but does not need to originate from manga), and to have a different color palette from normal cartoons.
@chapstek (85)
• Philippines
3 Jun 09
In my opinion, there is no difference between a cartoon and an anime. Both are done in the process of animation. Both are drawn, added special effects etc. I consider anime as cartoon also because of the same principles they share. For me, cartoons are just seperated between genres not in the context of as an "anime" or a "cartoon".
@shhheila (1845)
• Philippines
13 Sep 09
animes are animated just like cartoons, but the stories and plots are different, cartoons --- maybe for kids and kids at heart, but for animes, the audience are anybody, from minors to adult... some animes are not for minors because there are scenes that are brutal and violent too...
i like animes! now im addicted... i have a list of what to watch but dont know what to begin with. hehehe.... i love animes --- horror, love story and comedy... i just finished: HANA yori dango, HELL GIRL, Cheeky angel, and now im on episode 1 of deathnote...
have a nice day to all!
