Anime is incredibly popular across the world for its stunning visuals and dynamic animation, and content creators are finding exciting ways to pay tribute to the art form in their work. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of anime or simply like the aesthetic, this guide will take you through what anime is and how to use it in your projects.
What is anime?
The term ’anime’ refers to animated TV shows and films produced in Japan and dates back to the early 1900s when animated techniques were first used. Inspired by US animators such as J. Stuart Blackton, Japanese producers began creating animated offerings of their own, telling stories about their history and culture.
As anime has grown in popularity, so has manga, but many people confuse the two art forms. Though they share similar styles and themes, the difference between them is actually quite simple.
Manga refers to graphic novels and comics produced in Japan, while anime refers to animated programs or films. Not all anime is based on manga, and manga doesn’t always become anime.
Since manga and anime are different formats, there are some stylistic differences as a result. For example, manga is often published in black and white, with color editions reserved for special events or collector’s items.
A brief history of anime
While anime originated in Japan in the early 20th century, it was in the 1960s that the distinct aesthetic we know as anime was born.
In 1963, Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy was released, helping define the anime aesthetic and earning him the title ‘God of Manga”. Unlike the Japanese animated films that had come before, Astro Boy features the exaggerated expressions and dynamic movement we’ve come to expect in anime productions.
Due to the popularity of Astro Boy in Japan, other productions began to mimic the style. Throughout the 1970s/80s, Anime gained popularity with series like Mobile Suit Gundam and Dragon Ball. The 1990s saw the global rise of anime, with iconic series like Sailor Moon, Pokémon, and Neon Genesis Evangelion establishing anime as a significant cultural export.
Why is anime so popular?
Anime is popular across the globe, and there are several reasons why Western audiences have embraced the art form.
- Anime offers a stylistic change to many cartoons and movies audiences grew up with
- Western cartoons and animated films are often aimed at kids, while the more mature stories told through anime engage younger and older fans alike
- There is often a level of artistry in anime that is missing from US animations, which helps create richer, more vibrant worlds
- Anime comes in a range of genres, including fantasy, action, romance, and horror, allowing it to cater to a wider audience
Understanding the anime aesthetic
Anime is as rich and varied as any other art form, and different creators will have their own stylistic traits. The best way to understand the anime aesthetic is to watch as much anime as possible.
Anime characters
The style of anime characters is incredibly distinct but can vary wildly within its genre. In general terms, anime characters are known for their exaggerated features, large eyes, and chunky, colorful hair. Clothing is usually highly detailed, blending vibrant, intricate designs with cultural elements.
While Western animation focuses on realism in its characters, anime focuses on emotional depth. The larger-than-life features allow for exaggerated expressions, creating a bigger emotional impact on the audience.
Anime creatures
Fantastical creatures are a common theme in anime, often mixing mythology with magic to create engaging, in-depth characters. Unlike Western animated animals, which are often comedic sidekicks to the human characters, anime creatures can be deeply integrated into the story, with greater significance to the themes.
Anime backgrounds
Backgrounds are extremely important to the overall anime aesthetic, and the attention to detail is often astounding. Many Western animations will reuse background elements between productions, and there are many examples of Disney reusing entire sequences – such as the ballroom scenes from Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast.
Anime backgrounds are intricately painted (often by hand) and tailored to match the scene’s emotional tone. While Western animation uses a simplified realism when approaching its backgrounds, anime focuses more on feeling, creating otherworldly landscapes that emphasize the story’s themes.
How to include anime in your creative process
Anime artists can spend years developing the skills they need to produce intricate and detailed animations. For example, Akihiko Yamashita’s Howl’s Moving Castle took over 100 animators two years to create. If you don’t have the patience for that, check out these handy, downloadable assets to help you introduce the anime aesthetic into your work.
Stock assets
Artlist has a range of royalty-free anime stock clips you can download for your projects. From emotive characters to stunning background elements, action shots to general life sequences, these elements are ideal for music videos, social media posts, or adding a fun animated element to your vlogs.
Templates
If you’re looking to add some dynamic effects or animated elements to your projects, then Artlist’s anime templates can help you build a library of drag-and-drop effects. The downloadable packs include titles, explosions, smoke, and action lines that are ideal for use in slideshows, promo videos, and YouTube content.
Sounds
Sound effects play a massive role in anime, with the SFX often being as whimsical and stylized as the characters. From wobbly bongs to laser fire, and even character vocals, the Artlist anime sound effects collection is ideal for adding a sense of adventure to your projects.
Music
Music is integral to any video, and in anime, it plays a massive part in building the emotional context of the story. Artlist is proud to work with some incredible international musicians to create a library of anime-style tracks, from moody cinematic scores to electro-pop.
Create your own anime
Over the last 40 years, the world has increasingly embraced anime for its beautiful, stylistic artwork and emotive storytelling. Anime is becoming a part of a filmmaker’s toolkit, taking inspiration from the format’s rich culture and unique history. Unlike many other trends that eventually fade, the popularity of anime proves it’s here to stay, and with Artlist’s huge collection, it’s never been easier to create your own anime-style videos.
*This article’s cover image was inspired by footage from the Anime Loops story by David Octane
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