Japanese Animation/Anime vs. American Animation, which do you like more and why?
Question is simple: What do you prefer, Anime or Cartoons (Or American Animation in general), and why? If you can, please try to include a comparison like commenting on animation, storylines, art style or whatever you think necessary that one form of animation offers and the other doesn't. Notice that the question includes ALL forms of both Japanese Animation and American Animation, both 2D and 3D. Also, bear in mind that American animation doesn't stop at Powerpuff Girls, but also includes Samurai Jack, Batman TAS, and epics from Disney such as The Lion King.
Mic the Cat2009-05-19T10:46:20Z
Favorite Answer
I'm right in the middle of this one. I think ALL forms of cartooning is a part of it's creator. When you watch any cartoon, you can just see a personality. In such a way it seems that all cartoons (no matter what the nationality) are practically the same. Sure the animation is different, but cartoons shouldn't be solely based on artwork. I do agree that anime has been made for an immense amount of genres while American cartoons are usually just for kids or they are heavily political if otherwise. I know that Japanese cartoons are political too, but at least there's something for everyone.
The storylines are of different styles. American cartoons (kid based) are more goofy and characterized. Japanese children cartoons have more of a human base (realistic style). Personally, I love to study both sides because it's fun to see why they (the animators) chose such styles.
American cartoons are more creative in art style with the type of charicatures. I mean even Osamu Tezuka started getting his ideas of art strategy from Walt Disney's own style. You can see it in Astro Boy and Metropolis mostly. Alot of manga artists then followed Tezuka in that style (back before the 80's) thus creating a culture bridge through style of animation. Then America aired it's first Japanese cartoon in the mid 60's, creating yet another culture bridge. I understand that the story was severly edited and the voice acting was different, but think of the American culture back then.
I grew up with both too. So that's one of the main factors why I'm pretty much impartial to either side.
Okay, the final paragraph: People shouldn't just shun a country for it's style of cartooning. That prevents cultural bridges from forming and ultimately, disrespect for one's own country in whole. I see it when I go to anime conventions V.v Same with American Comics Vs Japanese comics. They are both great and bad in their own way. Everything is built up with components.
I've grown up watching both and I like em both equally.
I do enjoy Japanese anime more when it comes to storylines. Most American cartoons are made specifically for dumb children so it is hard to find one that has a good story. Most anime are more mature and also have different types of stories from American shows. They range from action, romance, sci-fi, mecha, fantasy, slice of life, school life, drama, cooking, music, action, adventure, sports, martial arts, and psychological, etc,....
When it comes to the animation, I like American better. Japanese anime is very well drawn, but not well animated. The characters are often too still, while american animation will have the characters moving and have some body language when they talk. But I do appreciate that anime keeps the lips only up and down, keeps the lip syncing from looking awkward when they get dubbed. But nothing can compare to the animation quality of the classic disney films, ahh so beautiful ^_^
But really it's hard to compare such different things. Even if something is less realistic or whatever it can still be a good and fun thing to watch.
I grew up watching the classics, such as "Tom and Jerry" or any of the disney movies for that matter, but when I was 13 I started getting into anime and I really do think it's so much more complex and detailed then American cartoons. Then again, you have to think about what age group this question pertains to. Anime, like I said, has a lot more complexity to it, and the plot lines, have so many different and amazing twists to them. It takes a lot of understanding to keep up with them, but that's why anime is so amazing! However, if you were asking a small child, they most likely wouldn't understand every single thing that was happening, as they would in something as simple as Lion King. Though either way I do appreciate the endless amount of effort and time that goes into the Truly phenomenal art work the Japanese created. It's a different type of style, and it's quite unbelievable what they've managed to create with it. All in all I prefer anime over american cartoons ;) but I'm 16 so, what can I say?
RE: Japanese Animation/Anime vs. American Animation, which do you like more and why? Question is simple: What do you prefer, Anime or Cartoons (Or American Animation in general), and why? If you can, please try to include a comparison like commenting on animation, storylines, art style or whatever you think necessary that one form of animation offers and the other...