Saturday, March 6, 2010

Japanese Anime Cartoon

When we, as Japanese hear the term, Japanese Anime Cartoon, we get this funny feeling. Perhaps, it is the cartoon part that is not wrapping the anime part in the right way. Since we only used the terms like Manga and Anime, perhaps the new term, Cartoon, is not something we are used to.However, there are so many factors as to why this term give us this special feelings.

I know that this is just an expression that is different, not the subject itself, but when you say Japanese Cartoon, it sounds less animated in the sense, which I have to apologize if that offend someone. On the contrary, if you say Japanese Animation, that could mean, it is created in a rich form of art. That is probably not an impression that more of Americans or Europeans are getting toward Japanese Animation Cartoons.

By definitions, the difference between Anime and Cartoon are as follows. The anime, coming from animation, points out to all the Japanese animations as oppose to Cartoon being the topical satire comics.

Therefore, there are still Cartoons out there that are also Japanese Anime, and I suppose we call them Japanese Anime Cartoons. So, I should not even make any difference in that matter, but that is just a definition. The real feeling towards those words in terminology is somewhat different from Japanese perspective.

Anime and Cartoon are two separate things. I know this sounds a little strange for some people who are not used to the cultural differences. But, the little difference like this could make a huge difference in the large picture.

I am sure there are terms in English that are so close but they are in slightly in different meanings. So for instance, if Dragon Ball is playing on Cartoon Network, it looks and sounds kind of funny. However, something like PowerPuffGirls being Cartoon is more suitable from our perspective.

Japan's anime like Inuyasha or Bleach are the great unleashed animation cartoons. This is due to the fact that they are not only good and fun to read comics, but sometimes, they can represent our Japanese culture in further degree and can be an animation after all.

I know some people in the states do not understand what I am talking about, but those of you who are getting what I mean, please keep in mind that next time you are getting pictures, images, or wallpapers of characters from galleries, Japanese seldom refer them to as Japanese Anime Cartoon. We prefer to use the term, Japanese Anime, Manga, or Animations. Think of the term Cartoon only applies to the animation made by non-Japanese creators. Well, at the end, what we call them does not really matter, but the quality of the Anime or Cartoon is what counts.