Over five billion people watched anime in 2021 and over a hundred million households tuned in to at least one anime show in that same period. These statistics clearly show how massive anime is as an entertainment genre. As wide as the genre’s reach is, some people still have no idea what anime is. If you are one of those people and you are asking yourself what is anime? Or rather asking is anime a cartoon? We are going to answer all those questions and more in this article
What Is Anime?
By definition, anime is any form of animation that originates from Japan. The term anime in itself is Japanese for “animation”. What sets anime apart from other forms of animation is the vivid colors, the cinematography, and more recognizably the dramatic close-ups. If you have been following anime for a while, you will agree with me that anime has evolved from being only animation but rather a culture in itself.
From the colorful hair in schools to the headbands to the entire cosplay culture, anime has become an intricate part of many people’s lives. The subgenre has expanded from being labeled kids’ cartoons to sitting high on the entertainment table in the US. Anime has managed to encompass different demographics and it has become so influential that it is difficult to ignore and not admire the growth.
Types of Anime
The extensive nature of the animation discipline has resulted in the genre-breaking into niche categories. There are generally five genres of anime, which are categorized as Kodomomuke, Shounen, Shoujo, Josei, and Seinen. Let’s take a second to dive deeper into what each of these different types of anime are.
Kodomomuke Anime
Kodomomuke anime is undoubtedly one of the most popular types of anime. The genre mainly caters to young kids from toddlers up to preteens. The popular titles in this genre include Pokémon and Yoi-Kai Watch. The “m,” in the name of Kodomomuke, is morality. The action, adventure, and comedy in the genre all point to ensure that the young ones grow up with a well-defined set of morals. If you have watched Dragon Ball Z, you probably noticed these themes are seen throughout out the series and even included in the Dragon Ball Z game.
Other Examples of Kodomomuke Anime:
- Digimon
- Hunter x Hunter
- Fairy Tail
- Attack on Titan
- Astro Boy
Shounen Anime
Friendship and family are concrete values of Japanese Culture. Shounen which translates to “boy” in Japanese is a genre of anime that brings these values to the forefront, with a male protagonist. The genre is quite popular with teenage boys. All walks of life have been appreciating this genre of anime quite extensively.
Shoujo Anime
If you like romance and drama, no better genre of anime will get hyped up than Shuojo. Shoujo is Japanese for the word “girl” and you won’t miss it with its bright animation and an influx of pink. The genre is so popular that it had to be further broken down into two more genres, which are Yaoi and Yaouri.
Josei Anime
The woman is the direct translation of the word Josei in English. This genre of anime has gained prominence for its ability to focus the limelight on topical issues within the lives of women between the ages of 18-30. The genre is not as big as the other ones but it has gained traction significantly within the anime boom.
Seinen Anime
If you are a male aged 18 and over, the Seinen genre of anime will be perfect for you. The genre is mostly action-centric with popular titles like Berserk and Vagabond. From gore violence to some steamy romance scenes, there is nothing more you could ask for from this genre. Even the merchandise is quite provocative, especially the Berserk T-Shirt line.
Where Can You Watch Anime
I know you are already excited. Media platforms are so saturated with anime content that no matter which platform you choose, you are bound to find anime content there. From Apple, Hulu, and Amazon, there are plenty of platforms for you to get your anime fix. If you do not fancy paying to watch content online, you can always use YouTube and even Reddit. In the next article, we are going to be looking at some of the best shows that you can start with on your anime journey. Be on the lookout for that.
As always, thanks for reading. Stay Gritty, Gamers!
