The Differences Between Anime and Cartoon

[Koby]

Cartoon is a term that once referred to fine art during the renaissance period. Somehow, though, the term’s meaning evolved (or devolved, depending on how you look at it) into humorous and witty illustrations and, finally, into animated programs meant to entertain people, mostly children. For, clarity, the term ‘cartoon’ in this article shall be referring to the animated programs. Recently, however, a new term has been coined: Anime. And the distinction between these two has caused much confusion.

Strictly speaking though, there should be no distinction between anime and cartoon. Anime is a term used by the Japanese to refer to animated cartoons, from their own country and from others as well. Somehow, though, the world started using the term anime in reference to Japanese cartoons exclusively. Japanese animation was once called japanimation, but this term was aptly discarded when the term ‘Anime’ was put into use.

Some say that they see absolutely no difference between the two, even going so far as to classify both cartoons and anime as ‘childish’ because of the nature of how they are presented, much to the woe of anime fans. Technically, there’s no official difference and they are somewhat correct. But you only have to watch a single episode of any anime series and you’ll see that anime is far more than your usual slapstick comedy man-tripping-on-a-banana-peal early morning cartoons. There is a real and profound difference between the two besides their spellings: Anime is so much more than ‘just a cartoon’.

Storylines/Plots

Cartoons usually have a simple and defined plot. And they’re usually about the good guys fighting the bad guys. Cartoons rarely go beyond that old cliché. Most Anime series, on the other hand, are also about the same good vs. evil but the plots are rarely simple and rarely predictable. You’ll find an element of politics, religion, humanity, and a score of several other abstract concepts within an anime. Whereas cartoons are just about ‘evil’ cats chasing ‘innocent’ mice or a hero defending himself and others from a very evil bully. Anime can blur the lines between good and evil so much that you’ll be left wondering which side is really right. Look at the plot of Gundam, there aren’t any good guys or bad guys. They’re both fighting for a cause – a worthy one, and both sides are prepared to do good and evil to achieve their goals. Look at the Wave Country arc of Naruto which is now at Naruto Shippuden. Zabuza, evil as he was, had evoked more sympathetic tears than any of the typical Disney antagonists. There are, however, few exceptions to the ‘cartoons are simple’ rule. There are cartoon series that are far advanced like X-men.

In terms of humor, anime goes beyond the slapstick comedy that cartoons offer. There won’t be any corny joke about the chicken crossing the road with anime. There won’t even be the quintessential banana peal. Anime humor is deep and witty. However, it is to be noted that cartoons are mostly for kids. Anime can be for an adult audience; it mostly is, actually. There are even times when anime plots are hardly suited for children.

Characters

In cartoons, there’s a protagonist, an antagonist, and a damsel in distress. Their roles are well-defined and clear and the characters always act according to their roles. In anime, however, the damsel in distress may very well become the antagonist, leaving the protagonist in distress. There’s no knowing what to expect in anime. Anime characters, a lot of times, are developed overtime through trials and growth, while cartoon characters remain the same from when the show started. (Of course, there are exceptions such as Spiderman.) Since there’s an ongoing plot, Anime characters actually grow up and may even produce the next generation for the series. Anime fans tend to get into the characters a lot deeper because of the characters’ depth and charm. Consider Naruto; viewers see him growing up from an infant to a young powerful ninja, the way he relates to people, the way he learns new techniques, and the way he evolves visually. That is one of the chief reasons for popularities of anime over plain cartoons.

[IceWolf]

animes tend to have smarter and more serius storyline. thats my deference that I see

[† Taylor]

I get tired of adults saying I need to grow up and quit watching "cartoons" when I don't watch any "cartoons".

I watch "Anime", and I don't consider "Anime" a "Cartoon", and I wish others would know there is a difference! Thanks for this post.

[brunz]

I get tired of adults saying I need to grow up and quit watching "cartoons" when I don't watch any "cartoons".

I watch "Anime", and I don't consider "Anime" a "Cartoon", and I wish others would know there is a difference! Thanks for this post.

lol same and anime has more violence then cartoons and anime will kick cartoons ass anyday

[Citizenmanman]

I see cartoons as funnies in the paper, as far as I am concerned, cartoons are meant to make you laugh, and not much else.

I see anime and manga (seeing that I read manga more then watch anime due to anime's cheap production value making, with rare exceptions) as... well... books for ages 13+.

[Descepticon]

Anime is not for kids, they deal with very adult stroy lines. Now what I watch with my kids Sat. morning is cartoons.

[Dartenglish]

Animia can be for kids the difference between Animia and cartoon are Animia has more art detail and a larger story to it that cartoons thats why cartoons seem to cut out sooner that animia just look at BLEACH for instance I dont watch it but there are thousands of epesodes so I hope I answered the question.

[bonjob]

anime has a very good graphics/drawing

while cartoons has a good graphics.

cartoons are just for kids and anime are

for both kids and adults.

[gummi-bear-07]

i couldnt agree more with the people above

everyone is always like, you still watch cartoons!?

even if we watch cartoons, big deal!

my parents dont mind though, they prefer us watching 'cartoons' rather than tv programs because they can have mature content sometimes..

im good with anime though (:

[dragonsfire21]

I have only been watching Anime for a short time maybe 8 yrs and I can definately say I would prefer them over cartoons. Dont get me wrong I grew up on good ole bugs bunny and wouldnt trade bugs for anything but I love my Anime. I can only count maybe a few I would allow my 10 yr old to watch like Bakugan or yu gi oh.

[Maverick]

I totally agree with every one on this page.

AS you grow older the new generation of youngsters inevitably seem to get hooked onto Anime than to cartoons. Mainly due to the fact that spikey haired guys n sleek cute girls look WAYY cooler than those in cartoons. Also there is no limit to how one portrays a person in a Manga while in cartoons there certainly are a lot of restrictions.

Also anime deals with intense storyline at a much greater and mature level than cartoons.

Well even if im 60 years old i will continue to watch Anime cauz i love it!!!!.....leaving out cartoons...even proper motion pictures cant match up to some of the Anime master pieces!!!

tom and jerry dosent count cause still n will always remain my favourite cartoon!! !

[dark_cascade]

yeah anime is for mature audiences.... For me . i love the art and the ideas .

ill watch anime 4eva....

[Jerck]

I can see how the distinction could be unnoticable to people who haven't really been exposed to anime for a long period of time.

I mean, when I was a kid I had no idea that Dragonball Z was any different than any of the other cartoons I watched in the morning.

I think people only start to see anime differently once they see more adult oriented ones.

American cartoons for adults are pretty much just for comedy, where as anime has a lot of very serious adult themes.

[antidevil12]

Not that there haven't been some really quality cartoons - there have - but anime takes the idea of animation to a whole new level. You'll see brilliant landscapes, innovative structures and dark, foreboding alleys. Anime creators take their scenery seriously so expect an array of brilliant colors and an obsessive attention to detail.

[Ashkeroth]

Good post. Plus the mental aspect in anime is also seen. Well, all that was said is true. Of course its obvious that Anime is animation (multiplication etc), but its scenario, story line and context are very different, plus graphics also differ.

[Hamachi]

Anime is Japanese animation. I see it as:

• Anime is action packed and have character deaths.
  
• Anime is continoues and has meaning
  
• Anime is full of well produced, life like characters.
  
• Cartoons have not action packed and they have no character deaths.
  
• Cartoons are not continuous and has no meaning.
  
• Cartoons have poorly drawin characters.
  

[Shade_13]

Man, I hate it, when i watch anime and someone mentions, like, "aren't those cartoons for kids?".

Once I turned on Naruto on my cellphone and gave it to a fellow-student to watch. He watched for a while, then admitted it was good, but when i asked him if he would watch it, he said no, cause it's a cartoon. Pretty dumb, isn' it?

Personally I think, that animation can break the boundaries which people face when filming movies. You can draw much more than any camera can capture.

I'd like to show Evangelion to people who think that cartoons are for kids, then watch what their reaction would be.

[Hamachi]

Yup thats the truth .

That's how I see it. All anime is like that and all cartoons are like that.

[rajin]

cartoons actually have no meaning in real life

but just seeing anime which basically made up on a manga series

and their real life entries

emotions and feelings

make them much better for an adult

yet anime show kids growing ye anime show and target age group around 15-20

yet anime are liked by everyone of every age group

because watching the we feel ourselves close to them

[Chaffe]

I agree for the most part with what people are saying.

I've had it explained to me that Anime is what comes out of Japan and Cartoons come out of America. That to me seems the most basic way to classify them. I've never seen America attempt to replicate anime from Japan like Neon Genesis Evangelion. It would be interesting to see if any American based production company tried to do something along those lines.