Changing The Definition of Anime

[charlie_l]

Here is a thought to ponder: Will anime eventually become known as animation from Asia in general, not just strictly Japan? Because these days the Japanese animation industry is hollowing out with a lot of the animation being outsourced to other Asian countries where the work can be done cheap. Because of this, there will probably be less talent coming up in Japan and we may see rise to a bunch of very talented animators who live in other Asian countries.

That being said, the key animation is still being done in Japan as well as everything relating to the storyboards. It will be interesting to see ten years from now whether we will accept anime as anything from Asia as opposed to just Japan. South Korea and China seems to be seeing a rise in animation companies who do work for Japan, and supposedly animators in Japan are getting frustrated becuse animation in general pays low and quite a few are quitting opting for another profession. Most animators in Japan earn a third of what the average Japanese person outside of the animation industry is making. Novice animators as a result of that have a harder time breaking into the industry.

Anyways, do you think the definiton for anime will encompass more countries down the road from now?

[Tidal]

im not against anime in other asain countries (china mostly) cuz most of early japan was based on other countries, and with more similar countries at work...

thats bound to mean some good animes.

[Postmodern_boy]

I think that starting a small animation studio will become much cheaper and easier in the near future. Cheaper gear and software has already made independent movies and studio quality audio recording possible at home. Its only a matter of time before the same thing happens with animation. At that point I will expect to see a wide variety of animation styles coming from all around the globe, not just limited to Asia.

Look at how many artists make their own anime style characters on this forum. I bet most of them would take an opportunity to make an original animation with those characters. When the software becomes cheaper, better, and easier to understand, it might be possible for anyone to start the next great anime studio regardless of geographical location or regional marketability. I believe that if it is good people will buy it regardless of the race of the creators of the product.

[Kyuu]

Take my word. I've been on this question since August last year. I've seen editorials written years ago. The perception of "anime (and manga) being an only Japan thing" has been "breached" -- as some already have some opinion otherwise. However, at the current time, a huge majority of the anime consumer base outside Japan still cling on the "anime only Japan thing".


Anyways, do you think the definiton for anime will encompass more countries down the road from now?

So many people aren't ready yet -- but I'll be laughing at them 5 years later. :twisted::lol:

These threads can serve as some "evidence":
[Link removed by Futaba ex]
[Link removed by Futaba ex]
[Link removed by Futaba ex]
[Link removed by Futaba ex]

And some non-Japanese stories can possibly be made into anime:
[Link removed by Futaba ex]

===

Speaking of an anime definition -- one reviewer from ANN came up with this. NOTE: This is on manga, but it can be applied to anime easily.


1. Ethnic definition
"A comic produced by a person born of Japanese parents."
2. Geopolitical definition
"A comic produced in the country of Japan, for a Japanese audience."
Note: the "ANN definition" because it gives the newsdesk a solid defining line as to what counts as news and what doesn't. Accepted as gospel by many ANN forumgoers as well.
3. Linguistic definition
"A comic written in the Japanese language."
4. Content definition
"A comic employing particular techniques originating from Japan, including 'cinematic pacing' [whatever the hell that is], stylized character design, frequent use of abstract visual conventions, serial story installments, black/white/toned."
5. Visual definition
"Big eyes, small nose, spiky hair."
Note: Only used by fools.
6. Format definition
"Picture-story books of about 160-200 pages, 7.5 inches by 5 inches, published right-to-left."
Note: You would be surprised how many librarians and booksellers go by this one, because it helps them manage physical space.Plus possible others. Mix and match.

Source: [Link removed by Futaba ex]

[Postmodern_boy]

And some non-Japanese stories can possibly be made into anime:
[Link removed by Futaba ex]

some non-Japanese stories have already been made into anime.
Examples include:
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones from England
Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda from Australia
and
Tales from Earthsea by Ursula Kroeber Le Guin from America

Really it looks like western Anime fans are the only ones trying to build racial divides in animation.

[sl33py]

I think the anime industry is already going that way. If you have pay attention to recent anime ending/openings, it clearly showed that more and more chinese company names are shown in credits. However, I think there's still some ways to go before any other country tries to make their own anime if you know what I mean. For example, the failure "animes" they made in china and the horrifying attempt to voice but end up even worse than english dubs. And anime is not just limited to asia only, since the last arc of saint saya, which was made like a few years ago, was produced by a french animation company.

In short, I believe the anime industry has grown faster and bigger than most of other industries and will probably get "out" of Japan in a few years.

[Im A Shinigami]

Take my word. I've been on this question since August last year. I've seen editorials written years ago. The perception of "anime (and manga) being an only Japan thing" has been "breached" -- as some already have some opinion otherwise. However, at the current time, a huge majority of the anime consumer base outside Japan still cling on the "anime only Japan thing".



So many people aren't ready yet -- but I'll be laughing at them 5 years later. :twisted::lol:

These threads can serve as some "evidence":
[Link removed by Futaba ex]
[Link removed by Futaba ex]
[Link removed by Futaba ex]
[Link removed by Futaba ex]

And some non-Japanese stories can possibly be made into anime:
[Link removed by Futaba ex]

===

Speaking of an anime definition -- one reviewer from ANN came up with this. NOTE: This is on manga, but it can be applied to anime easily.

Plus possible others. Mix and match.

Source: [Link removed by Futaba ex]
In before Ky-
...damn it.

[Dencore]

Good God you people are retarded! Don't you know that anime HAS to be created in Japan! Jesus!:twisted:

[Mei Lynne]

Anime's just a word the Japanese use for animation, really. If you go to Japan, they refer to shows like The Simpsons and South Park as anime. And the only people who make a big deal of it are people who live outside of Japan. A bit ironic if you ask me.

[Kyuu]

Good God you people are retarded! Don't you know that anime HAS to be created in Japan! Jesus!:twisted:

STFU Weaboo LOL

[Wilhelm]

Anime is an artform and a way of expression of feeling. But in cold hard world buisness terms, Anime is simply a product so look at buisness history if a product become popular on the world stage like anime is you are going to have other people and countrys trying to make money off of it.

In the book buisness for example when my boss started her buisness anime wasn't even on the american market. When it did hit America it was sold in a small two shelf bookshelf and they were untranslated now Manga has its own bona-fide section of the store that has to be the third biggest in the store at list. So are we going to see Anime fom different Asian countries? Yes. I even think that we will begin seeing Quality Anime fom America and Europe as well

[mf wes]

Good God you people are retarded! Don't you know that anime HAS to be created in Japan! Jesus!:twisted:

nope
Lady Death is from Korea and considered Anime. Bad choice i know, but still remains true. There are others from korea also. there was a new one i read about in NewtypeUSA, but i cant remember the name of it

[BuddyLee]

STFU Weaboo LOL

My thoughts exactly.

[Dencore]

nope
Lady Death is from Korea and considered Anime. Bad choice i know, but still remains true. There are others from korea also. there was a new one i read about in NewtypeUSA, but i cant remember the name of it

No, you my friend are a complete retard. The Japanese have a special bondage in the DNA, I think it's called the J-virus. Anyway this creates the Japanese into genetically engenered superhumans who can think of awesome ideas for animation. Due to their superhuman ability there are theories that they are supeior being delievered from Jesus himself! This is why we have never seen people from any other contries create anything good from animation or a videogame. I mean Grand Theft Auto? Half-Life? Star Wars? All garbage entertainment that inspired nothing. Korea isn't really even a country *similar to Britain, U.S., and Australia are all a subdivision of Kenya* anyway it's like a sub-division of a bigger country which is Japan. This is widely known due to the fact that Korea is connected to Japan by flying spaceships that create a hover bridge. It's called science retard.

Saying that the Japanese aren't the only ones who can create anime is just ridiculous. I mean no offense but you are making NO sense here!

[Jariaya-senpai]

Here is a thought to ponder: Will anime eventually become known as animation from Asia in general, not just strictly Japan? Because these days the Japanese animation industry is hollowing out with a lot of the animation being outsourced to other Asian countries where the work can be done cheap. Because of this, there will probably be less talent coming up in Japan and we may see rise to a bunch of very talented animators who live in other Asian countries.

I don't see a reason to change anything. Anime is style of animation, much like stop-frame. If you are really anal about it, then call it Japanese animation, or American animation, etc. The origin of where it came or where it's produced is meaningless in the whole scheme of things.

[charlie_l]

In short, I believe the anime industry has grown faster and bigger than most of other industries and will probably get "out" of Japan in a few years.
The manga industry has already grown out of Japan into Korea. "Manhwa" which is basically Korean comics that adapt a style similiar to manga, have become incredibly popular (not really in North America though). Apparently though, 80% of the manga in Korea is still imported from Japan, but it's interesting to see how these artists have adapted the style of manga artists from Japan and put their own originality into it.

I still think down the road Japan will produce the best anime, even when China and other asian countries take a shot at making their own again.

[Dencore]

The manga industry has already grown out of Japan into Korea. "Manhwa" which is basically Korean comics that adapt a style similiar to manga, have become incredibly popular (not really in North America though). Apparently though, 80% of the manga in Korea is still imported from Japan, but it's interesting to see how these artists have adapted the style of manga artists from Japan and put their own originality into it.

I still think down the road Japan will produce the best anime, even when China and other asian countries take a shot at making their own again.

I pray to God that anime doesn't become mainstream in America. The mainstream destroy everything. Look what they did to videogames.

[Rikusho]

I don't see a reason to change anything. Anime is style of animation, much like stop-frame. If you are really anal about it, then call it Japanese animation, or American animation, etc. The origin of where it came or where it's produced is meaningless in the whole scheme of things.

Definitely. It's a style and nothing more or less. I think it would be good for anime to be produced else where. You'll see more variety and also this gives those who's dreams are to become an animator a better boost. On top of that, there's more chance to find raw talent out there.

I'm not too sure though, about anime going mainstream.

[Kyuu]

I'm not too sure though, about anime going mainstream.

I'll admit. Main-stream America tends to ruin things. Just look at video games. Sport games like Blades of Steel were awesome - but we won't see anything that cool today.

However, mainstream is where the money is. Follow the money.

[Dencore]

I'll admit. Main-stream America tends to ruin things. Just look at video games. Sport games like Blades of Steel were awesome - but we won't see anything that cool today.

However, mainstream is where the money is. Follow the money.

Totally agreed, remember when video games were actually suppose to be fun?
Now a days developers and gamers just want games to be realistc, who the f*** cares? I don't care if there's advanced physics in Metroid Prime I just want to have fun. Look at all the good genres that died platforming, fighting games, shoot-em-ups, beat-em-ups, any 2D games. Level design and combat is dumbed down in favor to see ragdoll physics. Not only that gaming is now nothing but mindless games with guns that you run around killing things. I don't understand this either because the only platform that can produce good shooters is the PC. All this crap happened when a little console called the SONY Playstation launched and catered strictly to the casual teenage boy, and when they became the biggest money makers instead of the gamers all went to hell. Even the gamers today are stupid because all they want in their games are shiny graphics and and have an area look more like real-life instead of having the game be fun or creative. IMHO the only good platform out now is the DS, and that's just because it isn't a primary system in the States in the mainstream.

Yes yes it may be cool to see people become anime fans, but eventually THEY will become the main group the anime companies will cater to and not us. So what will happen is that we'll see a bunch of "crime" anime's and Lord of the Rings type fantasy, while mech, spirit adventure, experimental, and comedy genres will be hardly produced and in their deathbed or just flat out die *as did fighting, platforming, and sidescrolling game genres did*. I seriously was going to create a thread about if people really want anime mainstream or not, now I don't know if I should create it or not due to the fact I expressed my main points in this post.;)