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What defines anime and cartoons?


Clayton

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Is there an actual difference between anime and cartoons, or is it just where they are made? The art style? Gargoyles was animated in Japan. Some anime come from Korea or are made in America. One Punch Man and Mieroku were originally webcomics. There are manga of Star Wars and Star Trek. Ghost in the shell the movie was made in America. Do the Teenage Mutant NINJA Turtles count as anime? Sonic? Transformers? Kingdom hearts?

 

 

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About the only definition I can come up with is where it is made. Anime is made in Japan or at least it is designed there (they use Koreans to do some of the drawing AFAIK).

There tend to be differences in themes and plot lines as well - but nothing that you could assign a concrete definition to.

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Anime refers to all forms of animation in Japan. Anime is a term that was coined in Japan, describing their homegrown cartoons. Cartoons made in the west (e.g. the United States) are not called anime. I happen to have been writing anime books, being the first to call them that publicly upon getting Scout Masters and Curators of the Rose published in 2019, since I was 12 years of age. "Anime Book, n. An anime in book form." 21 years later, my style of anime books has yet to be replicated/copied. Can it be? It's inevitable. With time, I don't doubt it. But I was the very first to do it.

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Very good question.  In my own personal opinion, cartoons are for children and most anime is not. I'd say half of anime is for kids and the other half you have to be an adult and have a mature way of thinking about what you are viewing and take it with a grain of salt and realize it is not reality. If you're not mature enough to get the difference, then don't watch adult anime.

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Great question! While anime and cartoons share similarities as forms of animated entertainment, they are defined by cultural, stylistic, and storytelling differences.

Anime refers to animation originating from Japan, characterized by its distinct art style, such as exaggerated expressions, detailed backgrounds, and a focus on visual storytelling. It often delves into mature themes, complex characters, and emotional narratives, appealing to a wide range of age groups. Popular examples include Naruto, Attack on Titan, and Demon Slayer.

Cartoons, on the other hand, traditionally refer to Western animation. They tend to lean more towards humor and are often aimed at younger audiences (though there are exceptions like Rick and Morty or BoJack Horseman). Their art style is usually simpler and more exaggerated to enhance comedic or lighthearted elements.

That said, the line is blurring with global influences on both sides. Ultimately, whether it's anime or cartoons, it’s all about the story and connection it brings to the viewer. What’s your favorite example of either?"

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Anime and cartoons are both animated entertainment, but they differ in origin, art style, and themes. Anime is from Japan and often features detailed art and mature themes. Cartoons are usually Western, with simpler art and often aimed at children. Both offer unique storytelling experiences.
 

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On 1/16/2025 at 11:09 AM, FidelityBoss said:

Anime and cartoons are both animated entertainment, but they differ in origin, art style, and themes. Anime is from Japan and often features detailed art and mature themes. Cartoons are usually Western, with simpler art and often aimed at children. Both offer unique storytelling experiences.
 

You haven't seen anime from America, Korea, or say France?

 

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1 hour ago, FidelityBoss said:

Can i get some recommendations?

 

This took a minute

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga_outside_Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime-influenced_animation

 

America

 

Avatar: The Last Airbender

 

Witcher

 

Megas XLR

 

Stitch (Anime)

Kubo the The 2 Strings

 

Castlevania

 

Captain N

 

Samurai jack

 

Aeon Flux

 

RWBY

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

 

Power Rangers

 

 

France

 

Oban Star Racers

Coke Lyoko

Wakfu

Lastman

Galactick Football

Zak Storm

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noire

A Cat In paris

 

 

 

 

Korea n(their word for manga is manhwa) 

 

Yobi

 

Seoul Station

The King of Pigs

 

The House/Jib

 

Unbalance X Unbalance

 

Noblesse Awakening

Russia

Kikoriki

The Everlasting Story

The Everlasting Story (2021) - IMDb

My Sweet Monster

 

 

Mexico

Villainous

Villainous (TV series) - Wikipedia

Legend Quest

 

Nikte

 

Tad: The Lost Explorer

 

China (donghua)

White snake

Nezha

Jiang Ziya

 

 

 

Germany

The Amazing Maurice

 

 

Australia

 

100% Wolf

My Freaky Family

 

Canada

Cybersix


Fireheart

Last Kids on Earth

 

Peru

Kayara

domiruthperutravel-itinerary-kayara-2.jp

 

 

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/new-wave-latin-american-animated-features-10-films-watch-150741.html

 

Oslo

 

 

 

And so on. 

Edited by Clayton
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23 hours ago, Clayton said:

 

This took a minute

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga_outside_Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime-influenced_animation

 

America

 

Avatar: The Last Airbender

 

Witcher

 

Megas XLR

 

Stitch (Anime)

Kubo the The 2 Strings

 

Castlevania

 

Captain N

 

Samurai jack

 

Aeon Flux

 

RWBY

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

 

Power Rangers

 

 

France

 

Oban Star Racers

Coke Lyoko

Wakfu

Lastman

Galactick Football

Zak Storm

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noire

A Cat In paris

 

 

 

 

Korea n(their word for manga is manhwa) 

 

Yobi

 

Seoul Station

The King of Pigs

 

The House/Jib

 

Unbalance X Unbalance

 

Noblesse Awakening

Russia

Kikoriki

The Everlasting Story

The Everlasting Story (2021) - IMDb

My Sweet Monster

 

 

Mexico

Villainous

Villainous (TV series) - Wikipedia

Legend Quest

 

Nikte

 

Tad: The Lost Explorer

 

China (donghua)

White snake

Nezha

Jiang Ziya

 

 

 

Germany

The Amazing Maurice

 

 

Australia

 

100% Wolf

My Freaky Family

 

Canada

Cybersix


Fireheart

Last Kids on Earth

 

Peru

Kayara

domiruthperutravel-itinerary-kayara-2.jp

 

 

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/new-wave-latin-american-animated-features-10-films-watch-150741.html

 

Oslo

 

 

 

And so on. 

Wow this is amazing, more than i even expected thanks for all the recommendations it's much appreciated😎

23 hours ago, Clayton said:

 

This took a minute

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga_outside_Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime-influenced_animation

 

America

 

Avatar: The Last Airbender

 

Witcher

 

Megas XLR

 

Stitch (Anime)

Kubo the The 2 Strings

 

Castlevania

 

Captain N

 

Samurai jack

 

Aeon Flux

 

RWBY

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

 

Power Rangers

 

 

France

 

Oban Star Racers

Coke Lyoko

Wakfu

Lastman

Galactick Football

Zak Storm

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noire

A Cat In paris

 

 

 

 

Korea n(their word for manga is manhwa) 

 

Yobi

 

Seoul Station

The King of Pigs

 

The House/Jib

 

Unbalance X Unbalance

 

Noblesse Awakening

Russia

Kikoriki

The Everlasting Story

The Everlasting Story (2021) - IMDb

My Sweet Monster

 

 

Mexico

Villainous

Villainous (TV series) - Wikipedia

Legend Quest

 

Nikte

 

Tad: The Lost Explorer

 

China (donghua)

White snake

Nezha

Jiang Ziya

 

 

 

Germany

The Amazing Maurice

 

 

Australia

 

100% Wolf

My Freaky Family

 

Canada

Cybersix


Fireheart

Last Kids on Earth

 

Peru

Kayara

domiruthperutravel-itinerary-kayara-2.jp

 

 

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/new-wave-latin-american-animated-features-10-films-watch-150741.html

 

Oslo

 

 

 

And so on. 

damn there's so much😅

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 1/29/2025 at 10:54 PM, LucasLevi said:

anime simply means animation, cartoon are cartoon though they are anime too, since they're animated...

Then why are you in an anime message board instead of a cartoon message board?

 

Come on, don't you have some way to differentiate?

 


For example if I asked you to name a show about a black haired alien baby sent to earth by his scientist father from a world that was blown up who grew up to fly, shoot lasers, and fight three evil aliens from the same world, what would I be discussing?

 

The REAL Difference Between Cartoons and Anime

 

 

Anime vs. Cartoons: A Comparative Analysis | The Geek's Cavern

 

 

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