If ANIME wasn't Japanese...

[Linksquest]

If Anime hadn't originated in Japan... and had originated in some other country... would it still be awesome (style staying the same) ?

[Silent Hunter]

Probably, (I don't know) if it was from France, it may just have been written off as wierd. ... who knows ... (that's deep man, I can't think that hard on a monday evening)

[ChristianKitsune]

Yes, I don't watch anime because of what country it comes from...

however, Japan's technolgy is really awesome...so that would be put into consideration, but you said same style....

All in all, I watch anime for the stories, I used to be OBESSESSED with Japan back when I first became a fan, but now, that I think about it, that's a little silly...

[Steeltemplar]

Anime is simply animation from Japan. As such, it reflects to an extent Japan's culture. If it were from a different nation, I should think that it would be quite different as it would reflect the culture of that nation instead.

[Tenshi no Ai]

If it were from a different nation, I should think that it would be quite different as it would reflect the culture of that nation instead.

Yeah I agree. For example if it was made here in North America, it would be no different from other cartoons, "Americanized". Culture-wsie is a HUGE thing, I mean, the magical/Shintoist elements that make up ALOT of anime would be left out and so forth...

[Arnobius]

Well, there have been some attempts to bring over Chinese or Korean animation with little success (Anyone remember Red Wolf or Chinese Ghost Story?), though with some slightly greater success with Korean manhwa. The French had The Triplets of Belleville and Tintin in animation (I think Tintin was dubbed into English) and I hear with CG, they also had the infamous "Tripping the Rift".

I understand that the Czechs are supposed to have an unusual style that has a small following.

And of Course some limited (Disney) American animation is popular worldwide

However, I think the worldwide popularity of anime tends to reflect a lack in the animation of other countries. Maybe it's the sex and violence, maybe it's the slapstick humor or the willingness to handle more mature issues, but the Japanese anime does seem to grab the attention where other animation does not.

[Mangafanatic]

A great deal of what I enjoy about anime is the culture and the rich historic heritage of Japan which is worked into the story. For me, I think I would enjoy anime less is that cultural element wasn't there.

[Raiden no Kishi]

Hmm . . . I don't see how anime could be the style that it is without it being Japanese, since its style comes from the Japanese culture (thus why it is hard for us gaijin (foreigners) to replicate it). I don't see how your hypothetical situation could exist.

However, supposing it did, I would still like it. I like it for what it is, not where it comes from.

.rai//

[Yeshua-Knight]

well, at the same time though, you have to think about this

art styles originating in europe that migrated to america developed one way, eventually becoming the american style of art that we know, then you have the asian style that developed along a different path and as a result carries distinct differences from western art styles

then you must ask yourself....why?

now granted, i'm not limiting it to Japan and america, but rather eastern art styles vs. western art styles, but that's meerly 'cus there are similarities if you compare art styles from the same region of the world

[meboeck]

A great deal of what I enjoy about anime is the culture and the rich historic heritage of Japan which is worked into the story. For me, I think I would enjoy anime less is that cultural element wasn't there.

I agree. I think for me it would depend on what culture the "anime" was coming from. If it was from someplace that was real westernized I probably wouldn't be quite as interested. But if it was from some other eastern culture or at least some culture that's a bit foreign to me, I would probably like it just as much.

[Arnobius]

well, at the same time though, you have to think about this

art styles originating in europe that migrated to america developed one way, eventually becoming the american style of art that we know, then you have the asian style that developed along a different path and as a result carries distinct differences from western art styles

then you must ask yourself....why?

now granted, i'm not limiting it to Japan and america, but rather eastern art styles vs. western art styles, but that's meerly 'cus there are similarities if you compare art styles from the same region of the world

Well the Japanese style is credited to Osamu Tezuka, who himself admitted his borrowing it from Disney. Woodblock prints or Hosukai's silk paintings for example do not have the art form of the anime style drawing. I think with the various schools of thought in art, we ought not claim the classic styles were the direct ancestors of the current animation.

[Yeshua-Knight]

while that is true, from what i've seen of older Japanese artwork, i could see how it could evolve into the japanese artwork style used in manga and anime

[Mangafanatic]

Since this thread is about anime, after some thought, I made the decision to go ahead and move it. Continue with your discussion, citizens.

[Sami_jane]

If Anime hadn't originated in Japan... and had originated in some other country... would it still be awesome (style staying the same) ?

since the very definition of anime is a style of animation or cartoon taht originated from japan i dont think it would be the same. it may still be decent but i dont think i would like it near as much

[GrubbTheFragger]

wow this is harder to answer than i thought it would be.

[Radical Dreamer]

Well, on the one hand, anime has gorgeous artwork, and that's one of the reasons I love it. From that point of view, I don't think I'd mind which country it came from, as long as the art style stayed the same.

On the other hand; however, anime is chock full of Japanese culture, mythology, and ideas. Had anime originated in France, chances are, we would not have any of the anime we have today. Think about it. InuYasha is full of mythological creatures from Japanese culture. Rurouni Kenshin is based entirely around a historical period of time in Japan. Full Moon wo Sagashite, Death Note, and Bleach all include the Japanese mythological creatures known as shinigami as integral parts of their storylines. Instead of having anime with the storylines we are familiar with, we would have anime based around the French explorers, the African Safaris, the adventures of Christopher Columbus as he crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Any number of storylines could have been made, and many of them may have been quite good, but we wouldn't have the classic shows that we've all fallen in love with over the years. In reality, it's a pretty tough question to answer, but I say that I enjoy anime as it is now, since I've no knowledge of how anime from another country could have been presented.

[creed4]

One thing that intreques us about anime is the Japanese culture, w/out it we would only have stories based in familiarty. I think that its that difference that makes it so appealing, That and the fact its animation made for different age groups and not just children

[mitsuki lover]

It would reflect whateveer country it originated from.For example if anime had been invented in England instead of Japan instead of the Warring States Era Kagome,and her name would probably be something like Rose or Jenny or something like that instead of Kagome,would wind up during the War of the Roses.
Some things would be the same still.For example Vash would still be Vash.

[uc pseudonym]

If our hypothetical situation has the style remain exactly the same, then no, I wouldn't really care. I am as apathetic about Japanese culture as about every other nation's and I feel it doesn't improve anime, just flavors it (that isn't bad, just different). The only thing I would miss is the samurai genre, but it is likely that some other country would recognize this historical period as fertile ground for stories and use it (there simply wouldn't be a massive number of them).

Full Moon wo Sagashite, Death Note, and Bleach all include the Japanese mythological creatures known as shinigami as integral parts of their storylines.

This illustrates an interesting point, actually: the shinigami in those stories are completely different, and it isn't as if they're taking different versions of the same cultural concept. Death Note could still exist using the equivalent mythologies of other countries, as could the others.

[Myoti]

It wouldn't be called "anime," then.





Seriously, though, I was into Japan before I really got into anime... not sure how that's relevant to the topic...

[Nate]

I am as apathetic about Japanese culture as about every other nation's and I feel it doesn't improve anime, just flavors it (that isn't bad, just different).

Same here. I really could care less about Japan, for the most part. It's the storyline and the action I enjoy, not the cultural stuff...which is why I enjoy American cartoons such as "Ultimate Avengers" just as much as (and in some cases more than) anime.

Except, as you already mentioned, the samurai stuff, and the magical girl genre (which is sorely lacking in America). But other than that, the fact that it's from Japan doesn't make it cooler to me...when it boils down to it, it's the plot and the action that hooks me.

[CrossMovement]

if anime wasnt Japanese...it wouldnt be the same. Like some people said earlier, the culture of Japan is what makes it rich. Also there are alot of themes in Anime that isnt in any other cartoon style. Take Full Metal Alchemist, or Gundam. If Anime did not originate from Japan it wouldnt have that same spark that only Japan can create.

[Shikyo_ko]

Anime is only good if it is Japanese!

[Cap'n Nick]

If Japanese culture has anything unique to offer to animation, it's a willingness take to take it seriously. By that I mean both the increased range of subject matter as well as the attention given to the industry. In America especially, animation is something of a ghetto. A handful of studios produce virtually all of the content. Live actors are constantly called in to lend star power to productions that the producers apparently think can't stand on their own merit. It is this unprecedented affirmation and effort that allows Japanese animation, and Japanese animation alone, to be a viable cultural export.

That being said, I wish an English-speaking country would adopt a similar attitude toward animation. I love anime but I desperately miss smooth dialogue and fine English wordplay. Anime makes use of spoken language but much of the impact is lost in translation. The entrenched sexism and xenophobia of the nation also lends many titles some very distasteful undertones.

[starwarsboy90]

Well said, Cap'n Nick!

[starstoryteller]

I think it would be simular if it came from Iseral. If anime had come from iseral that would be so cool. ^_^

[starstoryteller]

Don't get me worrong I love Japanese culture but its kinda smiluar in the fact of names. Names are really important in both cultures. So it would have a different flavor but just as intursting.

[minakichan]

Manga and anime are directly shaped by ancient and modern Japanese culture. The art forms can basically be cited as direct effects of World War II and the atomic bombings-- after the war, Japan was left with a struggling economy and had to focus on other industrial and economic projects other than entertainment. Throughout the war, Japan used animation extensively as propoganda (particularly anti-American; the stuff is actually fascinating, with evil Mickey Mouse >_<), so animation seemed like a possible outlet. However, it had to be produced at extremely low prices-- hence the now-common tradition of Japanese anime of having cheap animation and low frame count. The "awesomeness" arose essentially because Japanese animators could not count on high animation quality (yes, 1950s Disney was considered high quality), so they focused on compelling storylines. This evolved over time into the more character-based anime and manga we see today. (The style of drawing manga similarly is a result of costs-- manga is printed on incredibly low-quality paper and produced at fast paces.)

There are other aspects that are specifically Japanese as well-- the emphasis on negative space, certain aesthetic spects of line and shape that date back to Japanese scroll painting and woodcuts, some storytelling archetypes and conventions. The animation style itself, originally emulating (or parodying) Disney, are probably the least Japanese aspect of the art form.

There's other stuff I know I've forgotten to mention.

[Pan Chan]

Well if you look at the difrent cultures art and you'll notice they are all verry difrent.
I don't think there could be any other country where anime could be created and still be the same except in Japan but if there was any country that could come close that I think would be the good old U.S. of A. since it's known style was inspired by Walt Disney and the fact alot of anime stories come from American culture aswell, but of course it most likely wouldn't have the same old story types and be much more kiddish.