The History And Evolution of Anime

Anime is a term coined from the word "animation." When you say anime, it simply means a form or subset of animation that originated in Japan. In English usage, anime is a term that usually refers to the type of animation made in Japan; but when in Japan, anime is a general term for animation. Although some anime can be rooted from various manga, not all anime have a manga version as its origin. As I've mentioned in my previous post regarding anime, some anime were created after popular video games or live-action TV series. And some manga(s) were made out of its corresponding anime.

It is during the 20th century when anime began to flourish. Japanese filmmakers experimented with their techniques and combined some techniques that influenced them from various countries like Russia, France, Germany and the United States. 

In the past, anime were usually hand-drawn; but ever since the introduction of computer-assisted drawing techniques and computer-generated images, the production of anime has become faster, easier and more artistic. Anime caters to all genres of fiction; so basically, anime is not necessarily childish as a lot of series were made to catch the interests of both male and female adults. 

Osamu Tezuka is perhaps the most recognized precursor to both manga and anime. Disney's early animation influenced him so much as well as the works of the Flesicher Brothers. Osamu Tezuka made it all possible to introduce and expand the growth of anime and manga. 

Tezuka was the first to make a novel-length drawn story or graphic novel in 1947 with the title of "Shintakarajima", or "New Treasure Island." Astro Boy or "Testuwan Atom" was also Tezuka's creation which was said to be the first internationally-acclaimed animation. Along with Toei Animation (which Tezuka had worked with as a character designer), Tezuka's Mushi Productions was among the first in Japanese animation studios. 

The oldest known anime in existence was first screened in 1917 – a two-minute clip of a samurai trying to test a new sword on his target, only to suffer defeat. The first talkie (sound film) anime was Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka, produced by Masaoka in 1933. The first feature-length animated film was Momotaro's Divine Sea Warriors directed by Seo in 1945.

Anime started to separate itself from the influence of western animation during the 1970s. It progressed so advance that it caught the interest of many in just a matter of time. Unique genres were added such as Mecha or the use of giant robots. Notable shows in this period include Lupin III and Mazinger Z. This was also the reigning perod of Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Oshii.