Forum - View topicCan Anime be produced outside Japan?
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KyuuA4
 Posts: 1363 Location: America, where anime and manga can be made |
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Say... the United States. Can anime be produced outside Japan? Why, or Why not?
Oh, and I shall give this nice editorial some attention: animenewsnetwork.com/editorial.php?id=32 Thanks. 
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KyuuA4
Posts: 1363 Location: America, where anime and manga can be made |
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Then I shall elaborate a little.
Upon several discussions involving this question:
I stand on the notion that content defines anime - which implies, location of origin is non-relevant. Thus, any group can produce work that can be considered "anime". Naturally, this may require some careful consideration in categorizing items within the set "Animation" and separating between "Anime" and "Non-Anime". Unfortunately, the only set bounds definition for Anime other than "animation from Japan" or "animation style of Japanese origin". Yes, these two definitions are distinctly different. |
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PantsGoblin
 SubscriberEncyclopedia Editor  Posts: 2969 Location: L.A. |
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I can just repost it...
Similar thread, but just the question kind of reversed. The answer to your question would be in there. Short answer is "no" though. Atlthough, I think there may be some exceptions and gray areas.
I didn't read that yet, but that's from 4 years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if it's outdated. Looking at your next post, I see your question was more of rhetorical question that you weren't looking for a definate answer for... For me, the "definition of anime" isn't really a topic of discussion. It's generally accepted that it's animation that comes from Japan. That's it, nothing more. It's pretty pointless to discuss any further. |
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selenta
Subscriber Posts: 1774 Location: Seattle, WA |
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I completely agree, for now. I think in a couple decades there may be an industry here in America that can and does produce anime, but until the style is nearly indistinguishable in feeling from what is produced in Japan, there's no way to even consider what is produced anywhere else 'anime'. |
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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Anime is Japanese, for once and for all. The term is used to refer to the animation coming from Japan, it the original story doesn't come from Japan, it's not anime. Period.
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beezis
 Posts: 76 Location: BC Canada Eh? |
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I think that's a little bit of too strict of a judgement but i respect your opinion (by the way, Seahawks own the Rams). Where I run into problems is, what does that make Gankutsuou? It is based on the French novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas (wonderful book) but is it any less of an anime than Gundam Wing because its idea didn't originate in Japan? What about series or movies based on actual historical events outside of Japan are they any less of an anime? My personal opinion is that the art must simply have a connection to Japan without being a simple emulation (sorry Martin Mysteries) |
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KyuuA4
Posts: 1363 Location: America, where anime and manga can be made |
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Bingo. As the editorial notes -- it is inevitable for cultural influences to leak into other cultures.
While we can easily categorize certain works as anime (like any anime we enjoy and watch) and non-anime (such as material from FOX) -- on the contrary, we do have borderline works. Already we have seen anime tendencies in series already declared as non-anime - like Teen Titans and Totally Spies.
Hmm... indeed. 4 years ago. To think, the editor in chief here noticed anime styles back then transferring over to works outside Japan.
Unfortunately, many who will want to emulate an anime will face this kind of resistance. After all, we've already had decades of anime; and some people have created works of the anime style. Transitionally, we can say the same thing for the manga style. It is rather nice to see Van Von Hunter sold as volumes in the manga section of bookstores. Not to my surprise, this is labeled as a comic. Thus, the above claim states: "No one can ever produce anime -- unless such a production group is Japanese." Already, I can tell you about other mediums where such a concept does not apply. Particularly -- Music, Martial Arts, and Cooking -- which are also, Art Forms. Music is an audible art. Martial Arts is physical and visual. Cooking is visual and palatable. In addition, animation is visual. As we can see with any art form, they are transferrable between different groups of people spanning multiple countries. For example, we have Asians doing rap -- Americans learning Karate -- a Iron Chef specializing in French culinary - and teenagers buying "How to Draw Manga" books. (Yes, I will have more on this point.) 
Da Bears!
Considering the set - "Animation" - which includes all animated works. What defines the subset "anime" and "non-anime"? For now, I am examining just with the art styles -- for the sake of simplicity. Later on, story-writing style. === By the way, while I make this argument, I am shamelessly limited to stick figures.  
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Ohoni
Posts: 3421 |
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No, an animation cannot be anime unless it is created primarily by Japanese talent (filling the majority of the Writer/Director/Character Designer/Keyframer positions). This is about culture, not race, so it doesn't matter whether the Japanese talent in question is of Japanese decent (they could be white, black, whatever, if they grew up in Japan, among Japanese, speaking and writing Japanese as their first language), and a second generation Japanese-American counts as American, not Japanese for the purposes of the definition.
Growing up thinking in Japanese, learning to first speak and write Japanese, growing up as a part of the unique Japanese cultural systems, it all seems to be a singificant part of making anime/manga what it is. Now anime-esc shows can be made anywhere, to varying degrees of success, and "anime" should not be taken as a qualifying term (as in "'anime' is good, 'non-anime' is teh suck.") Animation can be good or bad whether it is anime or not, and anime can be good or bad even if it is anime. It's no slight again your favorite non-anime that it happens to not be anime. |
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KyuuA4
Posts: 1363 Location: America, where anime and manga can be made |
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Is Yoko Kanno's music Jazz music? Particularly, the Cowboy Bebop opening. How about Rap used in Samurai Champloo's opening? How about anime whose setting is outside Japan? For example, NOIR - starting in France with Mirielle traveling to other countries. Did this require Japanese culture? Not exclusively. This can be a long shot -- it can be possible to import other cultural ideas (like Gangsta) into Japan -- and make it into an anime - from Japan. What then?
Can a white person make descent Sushi? Give a man some time and practice - I bet you it can be done.
Unfortunately, that can be the case. Even myself - I consider "anime" to be the best form of animation. Naturally, that is my opinion.
Agreed. Of course, I do enjoy other types of animation. I do express my delight for the resumption of Futurama in 2008 on Comedy Central. It'll be nice to look forward to that. === In a separate discussion, I am disposing of the word "style". Instead, I shall use "type" - by which, anime is a type of animation. It's more concrete. |
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selenta
Subscriber Posts: 1774 Location: Seattle, WA |
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Oh ho ho, I disagree here. This is nearly the same deal as champagne. According to the French, if it is not grown and produced in the Champagne valley, it is bubbly wine, not champagne; however, here in America, nearly all bubbly wine is called champagne. Who is right? On the one hand, you can argue that "the fact that it is made in Japan is the only qualification needed for it to be anime" and then, by your own definition, you are correct. Nothing made outside Japan can be anime. However, if you define anime based on the style of the show, rather than the location it is being made, then of course then answer is that anime can in theory be made anywhere. Personally, I think the idea that anime can only be made in Japan is rather close minded. People make anime, not the country. There are undoubtedly far greater differences within the Japanese culture than there is between Japanese animators and American animators. It is silly to try and claim that given enough effort, animators from some other part of the world would be incapable of producing an animated show that is indistinguishable from an anime. If it is indistinguishable, I see no reason to not call it anime; just as I have no problem with the bubbly wine produced in the Napa valley being called champagne. There are brands that are almost exactly the same from the two places, so if there is only a negligable chemical difference between the two, it just sounds elitist to me to make the distinction when it makes no practical difference in the product. Like I said, I agree that it is practically unrealistic to produce anime outside of Japan right now, but as anime percolates other cultures and becomes more and more widespread. Youths from other countries will grow up in a very similar environment to those currently producing anime in Japan; maybe then we'll start to see some real contenders. |
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PantsGoblin
Subscriber Encyclopedia Editor Posts: 2969 Location: L.A. |
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By exceptions and gray areas, I was specifically refering to animated works that are co-produced by Japanese and American, French, etc. companies. There aren't any grey areas or exceptions in animation that is purely produced outside of Japan. It isn't anime, period. Last edited by PantsGoblin on Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:58 am; edited 1 time in total |
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adonais
Posts: 302 |
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The French, of course 
That doesn't mean that the rest of the world cares one jot, but they are in the right nonetheless. As to anime, in my uninformed opinion, it might be prudent to reserve the term for japanese animation, simply to make the distinction from non-japanese animation. If we started calling everything anime, the question would constantly arise, "so is that a japanese one or an american (or whatever) one?", which seems kind of awkward. Incidentally, could someone inform me, is "anime" an imported word in Japanese, or does it have a kanji? Last edited by adonais on Fri Sep 29, 2006 6:11 am; edited 1 time in total |
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KyuuA4
Posts: 1363 Location: America, where anime and manga can be made |
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Ironically, anime itself is spelled out in Katana based on English word "animation". So, if anything, the Japanese imported animation and improved it. Just like how the English invented Soccer but the Brazilians improved it. (so on so forth)
I'm willing to argue The Boondocks qualifying as anime. Yes, I'm willing to take it that far. At most, this series belong in the supposed "Grey Area". Why do I make that assertion? Simple. 1. Large color depth. 2. Detailed scenery. 3. Adult themed. 4. Inclusion of the taboo. 5. The "Laws of Anime" can be found. While anime isn't clearly defined beyond its source of origin -- some characteristics can be found and comparisons can be made. NOTE: I'm referring to the TV series; not the comic it is based off of. Plus, who says anime can't be based off of a comic? --- Also, allow me to present two openings: Samurai Champloo and The Boondocks. Samurai Champloo Opening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx_CWpOIb_o The Boondocks Opening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0u3mosnEjU Note one of the Boondocks characters holding a sword. Isn't that interesting? --- As an additional measure, here is the Cowboy Bebop opening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hogFmuVkDzQ --- Looking at all 3 openings - they are rather similar. Yet, two are considered anime, while one is not. --- Furthermore, a Boondocks AMV (as in Anime Music Video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxawicFwAlE For the record, I am not a fan of Rap music. 
--- By the way, in other discussions on Anime Forums, the one main counterclaim to Boondocks being anime -- it is not made in Japan. In any case, the line defined by "Anime Made in Japan" is being crossed. === Also, I can also claim that Totally Spies could be anime. However, something about it made me think otherwise. This was due to the mechanics used in this series. For example, the non-realism of the girls being sucked (or "whooped") through a hole the size of a mail slot. |
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PantsGoblin
Subscriber Encyclopedia Editor Posts: 2969 Location: L.A. |
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Please, those are in no way characteristics of anime as a whole. I can think of numerous anime that have absolutely none of those qualities. FYI, a huge amount (probably the majority) of anime is not adult themed. |
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MonkeyFunk
 Posts: 93 |
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Simple answer:
Don't bother using the word "anime".
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