The etymology of the term anime is disputed. Other definitions are based on origin, making production in Japan a requisite for a work to be considered "anime". English-language dictionaries typically define anime ( / ˈ æ n ɪ m eɪ/) as "a style of Japanese animation" or as "a style of animation originating in Japan". In Japanese, the term anime is used to refer to all animated works, regardless of style or origin. EtymologyĪs a type of animation, anime is an art form that comprises many genres found in other mediums it is sometimes mistakenly classified as a genre itself. As of 2016, Japanese animation accounted for 60% of the world's animated television shows. Since the 1980s, the medium has also seen widespread international success with the rise of foreign dubbed, subtitled programming, and since the 2010s its increasing distribution through streaming services and a widening demographic embrace of anime culture, both within Japan and Worldwide. The anime industry consists of over 430 production companies, including major studios such as Studio Ghibli, Kyoto Animation, Sunrise, Bones, Ufotable, MAPPA, Wit Studio, CoMix Wave Films, Production I.G and Toei Animation. Diverse art styles are used, and character proportions and features can be quite varied, with a common characteristic feature being large and emotive eyes. Compared to Western animation, anime production generally focuses less on movement, and more on the detail of settings and use of "camera effects", such as panning, zooming, and angle shots. It combines graphic art, characterization, cinematography, and other forms of imaginative and individualistic techniques. It is classified into numerous genres targeting various broad and niche audiences.Īnime is a diverse medium with distinctive production methods that have adapted in response to emergent technologies. In addition to original works, anime are often adaptations of Japanese comics ( manga), light novels, or video games. Anime is distributed theatrically, through television broadcasts, directly to home media, and over the Internet. A characteristic art style emerged in the 1960s with the works of cartoonist Osamu Tezuka and spread in following decades, developing a large domestic audience. The earliest commercial Japanese animations date to 1917. Animation produced outside of Japan with similar style to Japanese animation is commonly referred to as anime-influenced animation.
However, in Japan and in Japanese, anime (a term derived from a shortening of the English word animation) describes all animated works, regardless of style or origin. Outside of Japan and in English, anime refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. Anime ( Japanese: アニメ, IPA: ( listen)) is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan.