East versus West: Adult Animation
This is a topic I have been pondering for a while, and this recent post of Cibbuano's has once again brought it to my mind.
There are marked differences between adult-orientated animation in the west, and that of Japan. Even with the proliferation of cartoons, there is still a stigma attached to animation, and it is seen as live-action's crude and somewhat juvenile little brother.
In the past, animation was seen in the English-speaking world as purely children's entertainment. However, The Simpsons changed the perception, and opened the door for a host of adult-orientated cartoons. This breed of programmes are usually humour-focused, and encompass a wide variety of animation styles, and realistic visual representations are generally not strived for. These characteristics are evident throughout the western world, and include South Park (United States), Bromwell High (United Kingdom/Canadian co-production) and bro'Town (New Zealand).
In comparison, Japanese animation (better known as Anime) has been targeting teenage and young adult audiences since the 1960s.
The 1980s brought about a surge in its popularity and production, leading it to become far more mainstream. Unlike the humour-focus of the west, Anime covers the spectrum of genres, with adventure and science-fiction being popular categories. The animation tends towards stylised realism, although face faults are often employed for comedic or dramatic effect. Various demographics are targeted, with the most notable being Shonen (generally adolescent males, shows such as Bleach) and Seinen (towards young adult and more mature males, shows such as Cowboy Bebop).
In Cibby's post, he linked to an interview with Star Wars creator George Lucas, who when speaking of his latest project, wrote that:
Whatever your thoughts on Lucas once again milking all he can from the Star Wars franchise, this statement highlights the divide that I have mentioned - there is currently nothing produced in America or elsewhere that fills this niche. However, it could certainly be argued that Anime fills the void for those who are willing to watch.
There is no doubt in my mind that western animation is capable of taking a more dramatic stance - the Futurama episode Luck of the Fryrish is a testament to this fact, and contains some incredibly poignant and moving moments. The medium also carries additional benefits for more marginalised genres, with animated science fiction and fantasy effects being both cheaper and easier than their CGI counterparts.
Do you think that the west should step up to the plate, and branch out in the animation it produces? Or should the niche simply be left to Anime, to do what it does best?
Also remember to check out Yuki Anime Reviews for a by far more knowledgeable look at Anime than the one presented here, as well as downloads of current shows.
*Image courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing to identify the subject in question.
There are marked differences between adult-orientated animation in the west, and that of Japan. Even with the proliferation of cartoons, there is still a stigma attached to animation, and it is seen as live-action's crude and somewhat juvenile little brother.
In the past, animation was seen in the English-speaking world as purely children's entertainment. However, The Simpsons changed the perception, and opened the door for a host of adult-orientated cartoons. This breed of programmes are usually humour-focused, and encompass a wide variety of animation styles, and realistic visual representations are generally not strived for. These characteristics are evident throughout the western world, and include South Park (United States), Bromwell High (United Kingdom/Canadian co-production) and bro'Town (New Zealand).
In comparison, Japanese animation (better known as Anime) has been targeting teenage and young adult audiences since the 1960s.
Cowboy Bebop*
In Cibby's post, he linked to an interview with Star Wars creator George Lucas, who when speaking of his latest project, wrote that:
This is, like Star Wars, sort of in between those two things. It's a lot of battle stuff, and it's obviously the Clone Wars, so it's a war picture. So it's kind of a PG-13 animated TV series, which is something that has never been done before and obviously doesn't fit in any of the conventional slots that these things fall into.
Whatever your thoughts on Lucas once again milking all he can from the Star Wars franchise, this statement highlights the divide that I have mentioned - there is currently nothing produced in America or elsewhere that fills this niche. However, it could certainly be argued that Anime fills the void for those who are willing to watch.
There is no doubt in my mind that western animation is capable of taking a more dramatic stance - the Futurama episode Luck of the Fryrish is a testament to this fact, and contains some incredibly poignant and moving moments. The medium also carries additional benefits for more marginalised genres, with animated science fiction and fantasy effects being both cheaper and easier than their CGI counterparts.
Do you think that the west should step up to the plate, and branch out in the animation it produces? Or should the niche simply be left to Anime, to do what it does best?
Also remember to check out Yuki Anime Reviews for a by far more knowledgeable look at Anime than the one presented here, as well as downloads of current shows.
*Image courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing to identify the subject in question.
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MS Paint Art
Loved it all.
katyzzz
Flashes of memories
Personally I love animated movies. I was never really a fan of Anime until I saw one movie a few years back (which I cannot recall the name of!) and my views were transformed.
I`m not sure if I would like to see the West try their hand at this one - I reckon it would be like George Clooney trying to play Jackie Chan, if you get my drift.
I would like to see more spotlight on this type of film though. Once a few good ones do the rounds I reckon it could take off.
Ash
Rugby World Cup 2007
What I really want to know is...will you watching/reviewing 'Bionic Woman'??
I love animated films/series but am not really into Anime.
Ash...ha ha!...that's a great analogy!
I know one of the more prominent anime films of recent years was Spirited Away - could that have been the one you saw? I am yet to watch any anime films yet, but have been watching a few TV series, and have really enjoyed them.
Hope you are well, Dusk.
Nina
Flashes of memories
I saw Spirited Away but that wasn`t the one I was thinking about. It was quite a dark one and I just remember how brilliantly they had done the girls hair (random I know!) I`ll have to go in search of it!
Ash
So is the latest anime series called Ergo Proxy.
There is nothing in the West that is even coming close to this.
I've been watching Ergo Proxy as well, although I missed a couple of the early episodes. Its very deep and a tad confusing at times, but I love the themes and references to philosophy that run throughout the show.
Flashes of memories
argh! it has been bugging me Nina
But yeah that was the one that I was thinking of! Their hair in it is great - I need to watch it again now that I have found it so that I can recall what the story is about!
The Tube Blog
Animation is just for kids... very sad state of affairs.
yoda, the 'just for kids' attitude is one that prevails in much of the community. It's a bit strange really, as animation is an art form like any other.
The west has become quite proficient at humourous adult cartoons - in fact, the sub-genre of using characters or footage from old children's cartoons (such as Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law) draws on this and harks back to the attitude mentioned.
The Tube Blog