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Anime for All
News: Arts and Entertainment
"Don't
underestimate me!
I don't quit and I
don't run!" the hero
of the Japanese
animated series
Naruto once
proclaimed. The
steadfast young
ninja has been
defending his
village since Naruto
first aired in 2002.
Naruto (center) is the hero of an action-packed anime
The immensely show. Image credit: NARUTO © 1999 by Masashi Kishimoto
popular show is an
example of anime (pronounced A-nih-may). Speaking of things that
get underestimated, there's more to this artform than many
people realize. Anime has influenced entertainment around the
world and won over fans of all ages.
What Is Anime?
The word anime means "animated cartoon" in Japanese. In Japan,
it refers to any animated entertainment, regardless of where it was
made. It might be a Japanese show about the ninja Naruto or an
American cartoon about Mickey Mouse. In other countries,
however, the term anime means animated movies and shows
created in Japan.
Not all Japanese cartoons are created for kodomo (children).
Anime is produced for various audiences. Some series and movies
are intended for kids, while others are for teens or adults. There
are comedies, dramas, and action shows.
The Many Kinds of Anime
What's anime all about? Practically everything. It covers a huge
range of subjects, from martial arts to music, from superheroes
and space travel to student government and sports. The categories
and subcategories are almost infinite. Mecha, for example, is a
type of science fiction anime about robots.
One major anime category is fantasy. These stories have
supernatural settings and characters, such as the hero of Sailor
Moon. This "Guardian of Love and Justice" has been rescuing the
solar system since 1992. But Sailor Moon's magical powers haven't
dimmed, and neither has her show's popularity.
Another common anime category is adventure. Its characters
journey on an epic quest. One Piece: The Movie is about a teen
named Monkey D. Lu!y who dreams of becoming the Pirate King.
He sails the seas in search of a legendary treasure.
Anime and Manga
Many anime series and movies are based on manga (mahn-gah),
Japanese comic books. For instance, Monkey D. Lu!y ruled the
page before he embarked on the screen. The teen pirate got his
start in the best-selling manga series ever published. Sometimes,
however, the typical manga-to-anime script gets flipped. Pokémon
characters appeared in anime before they were in manga.
Manga and anime play a big role in Japanese culture, a point
illustrated by Slam Dunk. The books and series relayed the ups
and downs of a high school basketball team. Its fictional players
scored a big win in the real world. Slam Dunk has been credited
with popularizing the sport of basketball in Japan.
A Continuing Journey
The eye-catching style and compelling stories of anime have
impacted artists and screenwriters far beyond Japan. One glance
at American shows like Teen Titans and The Powerpu! Girls is
enough to spot the influence of Japanese graphics. But anime's
sway isn't just about spiky hair and enormous eyes. You can also
see it in the heroic storylines and ambitious themes of American
shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Anime's journey isn't over. Streaming services and the internet
have expanded its reach and boosted its global fan base. Just like
Naruto, anime seems to be here to stay.
Think about and discuss these questions:
What facts would you select to show that anime can be more
than simple cartoons?
Why do you think anime has become popular around the
world?
TO-DO NOTES VOCABULARY
QUESTION 1 1/8
The article talks mainly about the __________.
A. di!erences between Japanese anime and American
cartoons
B. influence of anime on Japanese culture
C. relationship between anime and manga
D. characteristics of anime and its international
influence
SUBMIT
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