What is Anime?

Anime is the term used for animated cartoons produced in Japan.

It is derived from the word “animation,” but is used worldwide exclusively to refer to the distinctive style of Japanese cartoons.

Anime is generally recognized by:

• Bright colors
• Exaggerated emotions
• Distinctive hair styles and large eyes
• Complex narratives
• and more.

🕰️ How Did Anime Emerge?

• Anime’s origins developed in Japan in the 1950s through the work of cartoonist Osamu Tezuka.
• Tezuka created comic strips (manga) designed to be staged like films, and this style evolved into anime.
• The first feature-length anime: Hakujaden (The Legend of the White Snake) (1958)
• It spread globally after the 1980s.

Today, anime is an art form beloved by children in many countries, including Türkiye.

📚 The Difference Between Anime and Manga

• Manga: Japanese comic books. Drawn in black and white. Typically read in book form.
• Anime: Animated, colorful cartoons viewed on screen.

Many anime are first published as manga and later adapted into animated series if they gain popularity.

(Generated by artificial intelligence.)

🌀 What Themes Are Explored in Anime?

Anime does not only depict battles or heroism—it explores every emotion that can arise in life:

• A child trying to adapt to school
• A young person striving to achieve their dream
• Someone pursuing friendship or love
• Heroes working to protect nature
• A child missing their family...

And these are just the beginning! Sometimes anime features giant robots; other times, it tells quiet stories of friendship beneath a silent tree. Because anime can explore any subject.

🧠 Aesthetic Features of Anime

• Large eyes: To express emotions more clearly.
• Colorful hair and distinctive clothing: To make characters easily distinguishable from one another.
• Slow scenes and detailed emotions: A single glance or a leaf drifting in the wind can convey deep meaning.
• Closely framed shots: To deepen the viewer’s emotional connection with the characters.

This aesthetic captures the viewer’s attention and makes scenes unforgettable.

🌏 World-Famous Anime Examples

• My Neighbor Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro)
• Naruto, One Piece, Demon Slayer, Pokémon, Spirited Away

These anime have been watched by millions and have introduced Japanese culture while exploring universal values.

Anime in Türkiye

In Türkiye, anime began airing on television in the 1990s. Series such as Pokémon, Sailor Moon, and Dragon Ball became extremely popular among children. Today, many anime are available on digital platforms with Turkish dubbing or subtitles. Additionally, Türkiye has started producing books, magazines, and festivals specifically for children who enjoy anime.

References:

Candan, Ayça. Kayıp Keşif Yolculuk: Japon Sineması, Manga ve Anime. Istanbul: Ayrıntı Yayınları, 2020.

Özkan, Seda. “Çocuk Edebiyatında Anime ve Manga: Kültürlerarası Estetik Deneyim.” Çocuk ve Medya Dergisi 5, no. 2 (2023): 34–51.

TRT Çocuk Medyası Konferansı. “Çocuklara Uygun Anime Yayıncılığı ve İçerik Tasarımı.” Access date: 5 May 2025. https://www.trtcocukmedyasikonferansi.com

https://www.tursak.org.tr

Yıldırım, Aslı. “Manganın Sanatsal Dönüşümü: Gekiga, Shoujo, Shounen ve Otaku Kültürü.” Sanat, Tasarım ve İletişim Dergisi 9, no. 1 (2022): 89–108.