Created by Nickelodeon Animation Studios, this is the biggest anime title to be produced in America. Views per episode were estimated to be above 3 million, broadcasting to over 105 countries worldwide. Voted as the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards "Favourite Cartoon" in 2008, the series has evidently had quite an impact.
Pronounced "a-nee-may," this is a name that has become widely synonymous with animation originating from Japan. Though it is simply an abbreviation for the word "animation," it is acknowledged alongside Japan for the fact that it is also a unique style of animation developed and made wordly famous by them.
At present day, Anime has become a worldwide phenomenon extentending beyond development in just Japan. A popular example is "Avatar: The Last Airbender" produced in America whose hype was large enough to fuel a real life movie adaption.
With this kind of reach, it is no surprise to learn that the field grosses a very healthy sum for it's productions. On average, production costs of a single single episode (± 24 mins) can be up to 10 million YEN (over 83 000 USD) whilst some series boast episode count of +300.
To understand/classify Anime, we need to look at 4 particular traits that make it what it is.
Anime is described as making use of characters with exaggerated features, and though this is a description that stands true for all cartoons, anime still aims to follow reality's guidlines. This helps keep it in touch displaying authentic scenarios and stories that feel as though they still involve actual people.
Part of the Anime's captivating features is that because it still amintains a sense of realism, it provides an "easy to imagine" world of fantasy, both science fictional and non-science fictional. This is really brought out it the colouring schemes with bright dazzling colours, or sometimes, dark and ominous hues to go with the unique feel of the show's story and atmosphere.
Conceptualized by a 2D drawing scheme, to bring about animation, frames are individually drawn and strung together and played in sequence to create the illusion of movement (animation). On average, a single episode can consist of up to 5 000 individual frames (each costing about 230 yen to produce).With this in mind, it is easy to see why studios consist of several upon several categorized artists working on a show.
This, undoubtedly one of Anime's largest perks, is something not often attended to callously. Anime is well known for its incredibly robust, fantastical or sensetively dramatic, intimate stories.
Regardless of the theme, Anime is able muster amazing stories (a lot of which are even relatable) that some would argue compete with Holloywood box office titles in quality and soap operas in length. In this way, it acheives great depth in material produced providing entertainment that entices many.
Most themes, naturally, are centered around japanases folklore and traditions, incorporating old cultural past-time stories or current viewpoints. However it also stems into human psychology and social structures making it easy for people of all backgrounds to relate to.
Anime is broadcast in under a variety of categories and age specific ratings as its range is just as expansive as the movie industry. Several genres are on hand to skim through with several shows released on a seaonly basis.
Social View
With all the previously mentioned details, it would be extremely (perhaps outrightly wrong) to regard Anime as a genre of anything. Anime is an entity in its own defined by a number of things making it so popular around the world.
However, for all the appeal, Anime isn't seen in that same light by all. In fact, By general social standards, one interested as such are regarded by community as being an "Otaku" (a person deeply infatuated with Anime and video games with no social or professional life) though the term is more loosely used nowadays to imply the not-so-extreme equivalent.
This type of view is a product of the interest that Anime generates in the diversity of the material it produces allowing people to build up massive repetoires of it. Many websites exist today allowing users to search for and view aired/airing shows or compile personal lists to help them organise they're viewing and communicate with a the online communtity of Anime viewers such as MyAnimeList.