Comparison of Animation styles: Anime Vs Cartoon

Red Apple Learning
4 min readApr 19, 2022

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Comparison of Animation styles: Anime Vs Cartoon

It’s no secret that animation has grown in popularity over the years. In animation cartoons and anime are two popular forms. Here are some things to know about these two distinct forms of media. Anime and cartoons are both sub-genres of animation, which generally consist of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional representation of characters. Although, some people generally misinterpret the differences and distinguish both forms as the same thing. So in this article, we will try to understand the comparison of animation styles.

Children love cartoons for their humorous stories but anime has a broader appeal to the adults thanks to its mature themes. While they are similar to each other, there are definite distinctions between the two animation styles.

Comparison of Animation Styles: A Splash of History (Cartoon V. Anime)

Taking a look at both concepts from a historical standpoint, it is clear that the origins of each differ significantly. For one, anime has a strong connection with Japan, unlike cartoons that have a western origin. Japanese animated production emerged in the latter half of the 20th century. The animations which were produced by these companies were known as “anime”. The animation style of this particular subgenre varied from seasonal television series to short films.

“Cartoons” meanwhile have been around since 1499, when they were first used as visual guides when studying a painting or model. The cartoon is a two- dimensional work of art and comes from the word “Karton” which means a sturdy piece of paper. if we compare the cartoons with anime, the anime closely reflects possible occurrences and mirrors the reality of the real world but in an exaggerated form.

It is also important to note the difference between anime and cartoons in regards to the art styles. Since most anime come from manga, the art style is typically detailed. Anime series like Jojo Bizarre Adventures, Fate, and, Attack on Titan reflect the production studio’s dedication to making every detail count. Faces are thus easily recognized, and in an entertaining anime, the expressions are sometimes exaggerated to catch the viewer’s attention.

How Anime Differs From Cartoons: Comparison of Animation Styles

Aside from facial emotions and expressions, anime environments and backgrounds are significantly sharper than other cartoon designs. Although there are cartoons that put a lot of work into the designing of the landscape, such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, anime still has a superior understanding of the subject. It’s even been said that anime was a big contributor to shifting of cartoon art styles that began in the early 2000s. There are several animation styles. Here you can get the list and description of types of animation.

Another difference between the two animation subgenres is the concept of hero and villain. There are implicit conventions about the role of a hero or a squad of heroes in cartoon-based narratives. People believe the fact that most the teams of superhero have few female leads is a popular assumption in cartoons. one example is Wonder Woman in Dc’s Justice League She is the only notable female in a team full of male heroes. But Anime in the end breaks this gender bias.

Anime is Better Than Cartoons?

Anime, in the end, overcomes this prejudice. In anime, a hero or a group of heroes can be girls or even non-human beings like dragons or slimes.

When it comes to villains, cartoons frequently depict them in a common and basic way, such as being malevolent or disfigured. In terms of anime, though, anyone may play the villain, which keeps things going all exciting and unpredictable. The villain may be the lovely neighbor next door or a quiet child in class. Ayanakouji from the Classroom of the Elite is a superb example of anime villainy. In the series, the character who is sociopathic wears an uninterested expression to hide his less-than-ideal objectives. The anime didn’t reveal his inner thoughts until the end of the first season, which surprised everyone.

Storylines are one of the biggest differences between anime and cartoons. A large number of famous cartoons are usually without any specific storylines. For instance, western cartoons like the Simpsons, South Park, and The Amazing World of Gumball lack in specific plot lines, which is understandable as the aim of such shows is to elicit humor. However, with its comedy as the ultimate goal, anime shows still have better storylines, like Mob Psycho and One Piece .

With a perfect amalgamation of action, comedy and adventure, these anime provide a quality experience for fans and viewers alike. Also, most anime storylines reflects brilliance and creativity. Attack on Titan is one such anime. With every season, the main focus of the anime changed in a different direction than most fans could not predict.

One of the most surprising aspects of anime is the way it unveils information that shocks fans, illustrating the skillful nature of anime plot lines. Anime also has lots to offer aside from the anime itself. The opening itself is amusing and diverse, in contrast to more repetitive cartoons. These were the comparison of animation styles.

Quick Fact

If you are passionate about both of the animation styles and want to make a career in this industry then there are plenty of animation courses in Kolkata which can help you to get into this industry.

Conclusion

Anime may not be as old as cartoons but it is definitely a broader franchise with many choices that you can choose from, depending on your preferences.

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Red Apple Learning
Red Apple Learning

Written by Red Apple Learning

Red Apple Learning, runs programs in Game Design, Content, Asset and Development Programs; taught by industry mentors who have worked on best-selling games.

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