anime and cartoons; what's the difference?

Question

I know what you're going to say, "Anime and cartoons are the same!". Well, they are not.

Anime is the western term for Japanese animation. Anime is more serious, having character development, morals, dialogue, storylines, and interesting settings. It is more creative and imaginative than cartoons, even the best ones, like Simpsons and Family Guy. Anime comes in different genres, such as Shonen, Shojo, Seinen, Josei, Yaoi, and Yuri, and has more emotions than cartoons.

Example:

1). Dragon Ball, Z, GT
2). Devils and Realist
3). One Piece
4). D. Gray Man
5). Naruto
6). Okami-san
7). Rosario Vampire
8). Death Note
9). Bobobo-bo bo-bobo
10). Soul Eater
11). Inuyasha
12). Fairy Tail

Cartoons, on the other hand, rarely have any of that. They appear more random and tend to miss out on character development (Bobobo is random, but it does have character development). Unlike anime, many of the characters designs appear unrealistic and goofy. Throughout every episode, you would see how repetitive, undeveloped, and slapstick cartoons are.

Example:

1). The Simpsons
2). Family Guy
3). American Dad (Stan never learns his lessons).
4). Tom & Jerry
5). Fairly Oddparents
6). Spongebob Squarepants
7). Looney Tunes
8). Adventure Time (Extremely random and without sense).
9). Regular Show
10). Uncle Grandpa
11). Futurama (Bender still acts like a jerk and Zoidberg is constantly abused)
12). Teen Titans Go (Original Teen Titans was much better)
13). My Little Pony (Generation 1, 2, and 3 because of its campy scriptwriting and female stereotypes. No offense).

Now, recently, some western cartoonists have adopted the anime style and creativity for their cartoons. They would use character development, morals, dialogue, and storyline when they right it.

Example:

1). ThunderCats 1989 and 2011 (episode 1 to 12)
2). Transformers franchise
3). Avatar: The Last Airbender & Legend of Korra
4). My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (designs similar to anime and has dialogue, morals, and character development).
5). Teen Titans
6). Generator Rex
7). Powerpuff Girls
8). Young Justice
9). Martin Mysteries
10). Totally Spies

This is just my opinion, but I hope this will make sense.

? · Accepted Answer

I agree with you on that but I think that some cartoons like LOK and ATLA should be anime's but tthats just my opinion.

? · Answer

I like your argument, however there needed to be more explanation and less examples. Elaborate on why these genres like seinen differ from cartoon genres. 
P.S- There&#x27;s no question so take my criticism instead.

C T · Answer

cartoons and anime are the same. It more comes down to what the cultures are cool with and what companies can sell.

western society normally keeps cartoons for kids and young teens. As such, you want kids to be able to pick up an episode at any point, and be able to follow along. You sometimes get shows like ben 10 or teen titans that have overarching characters or plot lines, but its still pretty episodic and easy to pick up at any episode.
cartoons ment for an older audience are generally random comedies, and as such they keep it episodic for the same reason, so anyone can pick it up whenever. Having no real story, they never have to hold back on the random either.
so of course there are very few cartoons for adults, but thats because there isnt really an audience for them, who's gonna make this if no ones buying. At best you get like a good dc/marvel animated movie or a super rare series like Spawn.
Its true that plenty of shows started having a more anime like art style, i dunno why that is. Lots of research goes into this kind of stuff normally though, so maybe they just find kids respond better to it, which makes sense when you consider how people actually think/interpret how the body looks which isnt realistic, but "feels" right to us - aka big eyes, long arms, nothing ever forshortened, etc. Or maybe its just a style choice by the creators and theyve been influenced by some anime, nothing wrong with that either,

most anime tends to be directed for older teens, which is why you'll get somewhat more mature storylines. And ya sure you can seperate them into many genres if you like, but if you keep it general most anime or for boys or for girls. There are relatively few seinen, just like with cartoons. And you say how repetitive cartoons are, but anime is just as repetitive. Since like 2000, most anime have more or less the same art style, most follow the same tropes and cliches, as well as have similar stories and character design. And im sure and this point people might be thinking "this guy is crazy, all anime are unique," but thats really not the case. We say that some western shows are using an anime style, because the style were refering too is very particular, and most anime we see use it.

I wouldnt say 1 is better than the other, its really about preference. I also wouldnt say one is more creative/imaginative than the other, if anything its easier to follow a linear storyline than to have come up with completly random yet funny stuff every episode. I actually watch plenty of both btw, and i can criticize/defend both of them just as easily. Its pretty much why i say theyre the same, and besides in japan they dont seem to make these distinguishments either. Shows that are animated are cartoons in any language.

ps. I dont mean to insult anyone if i did somehow, i was trying to be objective.
also, ive thought of writing this to people before and havent, im just bored at work right now, so you got it.

Anonymous · Answer

It's funny that only Western "anime" fans tend to get their panties in a twist over the terms anime and cartoon.

The Japanese see no difference at all but that probably has to do with the fact they understand that "anime" is simply a shorter way of saying "animation" which is exactly what cartoons are. Same goes with Germans, French, Italian, Spanish, Canadian, etc. they all recognize that anime and cartoons are two terms describing exactly the same thing.

Johnny · Answer

That Futurama one is all wrong. You deserve a spanking for that one, sir.

Harshith · Answer

Seriously i Find their Ignorance Rather disturbing !!!!!!!

And hi-five ture otaku Kenton Jen
U are exactly right !!!!

Max · Answer

I agree, its so sad to see people that immediately assume they are the same. Such ignorance.

Trending News

anime and cartoons; what's the difference?

7 Answers