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Compare and Contrast American Cartoons vs. Anime

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Compare and Contrast American Cartoons vs. Anime

Introduction

     The contest of superiority always triggers the comparison and contrasting of Western and

Eastern cultures, especially in entertainment. While some individuals find cartoons superior for

their comedy, others rank anime higher because of its depth (Adams, 2015). In this context,

Japanese anime and American cartoons have always contested for audiences. There are some

similarities and differences between these two art-forms, which attract diverse viewers for

different reasons.

     The apparent similarity between the two productions is that both are animated caricatures

(Lefler, 2019). Anime and cartoons both include the use of drawings. They also address similar

target audiences and are aired on similar platforms.

     However, there are more differences, the most remarkable of which is the limited movement

in anime compared to mechanical mobility in cartoons. Anime originates from Japan and takes

the same formats that all other films do. In contrast, American pictures are two-dimensional

visual arts that are less proportional and are not designed to mimic reality. In themes, anime

focuses on the psychological and human aspects of life, while cartoons focus on humor and

satirical situations. The segmentation of cartoons and anime are also different. Whereas

American animations take about five to nine minutes per episode, anime can last half an hour-

long, and the median length is about twenty minutes.      

     The visual nature of anime also differs sharply from cartoons. The facial expressions in anime

are always exaggerated, with notably huge eyes and tiny mouths. This is well noted when Kenshi

is surprised in an episode of Samurai-X. There is the use of speech bubbles, unrealistic speed,

flashing images and many other devices to emphasize drama. In cartoons, the visuals can be
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close to reality like in Batman and Robin, or extremely bizarre like in The Grim Adventures of

Billy and Mandy. 

     Although the storyboards, voice-overs, and styles of production are the same, there is more

mobility in cartoons. In anime, there are the repetitions of identical frames of images to create

the illusion of movement. Generally, anime is also intended to send a specific educational

message such as the importance of honesty, the virtue of courage, and the honor of forgiveness.

This is because anime is used as a tool for propagating traditional values in the contemporary

world. On the other hand, cartoons are drawn to make children and the young at heart laugh.

Instead of profound lessons, they contain a lot of trivia and silliness. While characters in anime

like Pokémon pursue destinies, in Ed, Edd, and Eddy, all the boys want by the end of the lesson

is some outdoor action and a dollar for a jaw-breaker. 

     However, a different brand of cartoons exists in the form of South Park and Family Guy,

which target adults with adult themes. In these, political satire, pop culture, and global issues are

addressed from satirical and explicit perspectives. Similarly, some anime is rated and covers

themes of sex, betrayal, and murder, which would not be befitting for the traditional audience,

which comprises of children. 

     Entomologically, anime is primarily considered to be a further abbreviation of the words,

Japan animation, and cartoon is derived from the word carton, which refers to the material that

makes boxes. The first cartoons were drawn on similar types of paper like these. Currently, the

internet has made these two forms of animation equally popular in all parts of the world. 

     In conclusion, anime and cartoons both aim to tell differing narratives similarly (Sanders,

2020). Finally, as Sanders contends, any superiority of the two is subjective and based on the

preferences of viewers.
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References

Adams, J. (2015, September 9). Why Japanese Anime is Superior to American Animation. The

Daily Utah Chronicles. https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2015/09/09/why-japanese-anime-

is-superior-to-american-animation/

Lefler, R. (2019, September 12). Anime vs. Western Comics and Cartoons. Reel Rundown.

https://reelrundown.com/animation/Anime-vs-Western-Comics-and-Cartoons

Sanders, A. (2020, March 19). What's the Difference Between Japanese and American

Animation? Livewire. https://www.lifewire.com/japanese-vs-american-animation-141033