08-03-2004, 10:29 AM
Look at what I miss out on by not paying attention to this thread.
I just spent a little while doing some research on the modern definition of "anime" so I wouldn't sound like a fool spouting my opinions as facts.
It's interesting to note that many definitions of anime refer to it as a style of animation originating in Japan but not specifically produced in Japan. Thus shows like Samurai Jack, Aeon Flux, or even the Powerpuff Girls might be considered to be anime even though none of those were produced in Japan.
On the flip side of that coin, the definition provied HERE (click this link dummy) is one of the most thoughrough I've read and even proveds a term new to me "amerime". The interesting thing about the definition from this site is that it points out the Japanese word "anime" is derived from the English word "animation" and the French word "anime" has almost nothing to do with the whole thing.
In Japanese, anime is used to talk about cartoons regardless of nationality.
In English the use of the term anime is more varied and the argument of whether it should be restricted to cartoons produced in Japan will only end up in a flame war. It was easier to define a "Japanese style" ten years ago before we had seen any of the experimental cartoons from there and none of the North American animators had been influenced by what they had seen.
So... going back to the original thread asking what the most influential anime are I'd have to start with the beginning and say the original Disney Cartoons that influenced the style of Astro Boy which influenced a LOT of the cartoons produced for years to come after that. Then we can add Speed Racer, Robotech (or Macross... take your pick), Mazinger, Nausicaa, Sailor Moon, Legend of the Overfiend, Akira, Patlabor, Ninja Scroll, Macross Plus (moreso than Cowboy Bebop), and Ranma 1/2 to name a few (more names are still coming to mind as I sit here).
I would probably enjoy a whole discussion around the use of the word "anime" and whether or not it includes all cartoons of a particular style or if it should be restricted to cartoons actually produced in Japan. Unfortunately, this discussion would be one of opinions and most likely end up in a flame war (as this thread had already started to become).
My personal vote is to adopt the Japanese definition of anime to include all cartoons. If you want cartoons specifically produced in Japan then the term Japanimation seems more appropriate to me.
I just spent a little while doing some research on the modern definition of "anime" so I wouldn't sound like a fool spouting my opinions as facts.
It's interesting to note that many definitions of anime refer to it as a style of animation originating in Japan but not specifically produced in Japan. Thus shows like Samurai Jack, Aeon Flux, or even the Powerpuff Girls might be considered to be anime even though none of those were produced in Japan.
On the flip side of that coin, the definition provied HERE (click this link dummy) is one of the most thoughrough I've read and even proveds a term new to me "amerime". The interesting thing about the definition from this site is that it points out the Japanese word "anime" is derived from the English word "animation" and the French word "anime" has almost nothing to do with the whole thing.
In Japanese, anime is used to talk about cartoons regardless of nationality.
In English the use of the term anime is more varied and the argument of whether it should be restricted to cartoons produced in Japan will only end up in a flame war. It was easier to define a "Japanese style" ten years ago before we had seen any of the experimental cartoons from there and none of the North American animators had been influenced by what they had seen.
So... going back to the original thread asking what the most influential anime are I'd have to start with the beginning and say the original Disney Cartoons that influenced the style of Astro Boy which influenced a LOT of the cartoons produced for years to come after that. Then we can add Speed Racer, Robotech (or Macross... take your pick), Mazinger, Nausicaa, Sailor Moon, Legend of the Overfiend, Akira, Patlabor, Ninja Scroll, Macross Plus (moreso than Cowboy Bebop), and Ranma 1/2 to name a few (more names are still coming to mind as I sit here).
I would probably enjoy a whole discussion around the use of the word "anime" and whether or not it includes all cartoons of a particular style or if it should be restricted to cartoons actually produced in Japan. Unfortunately, this discussion would be one of opinions and most likely end up in a flame war (as this thread had already started to become).
My personal vote is to adopt the Japanese definition of anime to include all cartoons. If you want cartoons specifically produced in Japan then the term Japanimation seems more appropriate to me.
Gullible isn't in the dictionary.