The Evolution Of Anime

Summary

This video takes a deep dive into the rich history of anime, tracing its origins back to the first anime film, *Namakura Gatana*, created in 1917. From its humble beginnings to the rise of iconic studios like Toei Animation and Studio Ghibli, the video highlights how anime evolved through wars, cultural shifts, and technological advancements. It explores key milestones such as the influence of Disney, the impact of *Astro Boy*, and the global success of *Spirited Away*. Today, anime continues to thrive, with platforms like Netflix bringing new, original content to international audiences, securing its place as a mainstream entertainment medium.

Takeaways

• 😀 Anime's origins date back over a century, with the first known anime, *Namakorogita* (The Dull Sword), created in 1917.
• 😀 Early anime faced challenges in preservation, as films were often lost or damaged due to the lack of digital copies and events like the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923.
• 😀 Oten Shimokawa, a key figure in anime's early history, created one of the first true anime films, *Emo Cow's Moo Cow* (1924), using unique materials like chalk and wax.
• 😀 Disney's success in Japan was both a source of inspiration for anime creators and a barrier, making it difficult for local animators to compete financially.
• 😀 The first anime with sound was created in 1933 by Kenzo Masuoka, titled *Within the World of Power and Women*.
• 😀 During the Second World War, anime was used for propaganda purposes, but some influential works like *Momotaro: Umi no Shinpei* (1945) emerged despite censorship.
• 😀 In the 1950s, Toei Animation produced Japan’s first color feature film, *The Tale of the White Serpent* (1958), and established itself as a major player in the industry.
• 😀 Legendary animator Osamu Tezuka, often called the 'God of Manga,' founded Mushi Production in 1961 and created groundbreaking works like *Astro Boy*.
• 😀 The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of mecha anime like *Mobile Suit Gundam* and *Space Battleship Yamato*, alongside shows catering to different demographics like *Candy Candy* and *Rose of Versailles*.
• 😀 Studio Ghibli, founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, revolutionized anime in the 1980s with films like *Castle in the Sky* and *My Neighbor Totoro*, leading to worldwide recognition of the art form.
• 😀 The 1990s and 2000s marked anime's global boom, with shows like *Dragon Ball Z*, *Sailor Moon*, and *Pokemon* gaining international popularity, and films like *Spirited Away* winning prestigious awards like the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
• 😀 Streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime have played a significant role in the 2010s by licensing anime, making it accessible to global audiences and fostering collaborations with Japanese studios to create original content.

Q & A

What is considered the first anime ever created?

The first anime ever created is a short film titled *Namakorogita* (1917), directed by Jun'ichi Kōchi. It was a silent, four-minute film about a samurai with a dull sword.

Why is early anime history difficult to recall?

Early anime history is difficult to recall due to the lack of digital copies. Films were run on physical film reels that were often broken down into individual frames for profit, leading to poor preservation of works from that time.

Who was Oten Shimokawa and what role did he play in early anime?

Oten Shimokawa was a pioneering animator who worked for the magazine *Tokyo Puc* and created one of the first true anime films, *Emo Cows Moo* (1917). He is considered one of the primary founders of the anime genre.

What was the impact of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 on the anime industry?

The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 had a devastating impact on the anime industry, destroying many early films and further hindering an already struggling medium. It delayed the growth and development of the anime industry in Japan.

How did Disney influence the anime industry in Japan?

Disney's success in Japan was both a blessing and a curse. While it inspired many Japanese animators, it also made it difficult for local creators to compete due to Disney's low-cost films flooding the Japanese market, limiting the profitability of domestic anime production.

What is the significance of the 1933 anime *Within the World of Power and Women*?

Produced by Kenzo Masuoka, *Within the World of Power and Women* (1933) was significant as the first anime with sound, marking a major advancement in anime technology and storytelling.

How did World War II affect anime production in Japan?

During World War II, anime production in Japan was heavily influenced by government control. Much of the content created during this time was in the form of propaganda films, limiting the creative freedom of animators.

What role did Toei Animation play in the development of anime in the 1950s and 1960s?

Toei Animation was instrumental in the development of anime in the 1950s and 1960s. They produced Japan's first color feature anime, *The Tale of the White Serpent* (1958), and helped establish anime as a commercially viable medium.

How did Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki contribute to the evolution of anime?

Studio Ghibli, co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki, contributed significantly to the evolution of anime with films like *My Neighbor Totoro* and *Spirited Away*. Miyazaki's work helped elevate anime to global recognition, showcasing high-quality animation and storytelling.

What factors led to the anime boom of the 1980s?

The anime boom of the 1980s was driven by growing international interest in Japanese culture, successful franchises like *Dragon Ball*, and the influence of space-themed films. Anime became a profitable venture, attracting both domestic and global audiences.

How did streaming services like Netflix impact anime in the 2010s?

In the 2010s, streaming services like Netflix helped bring anime to a wider global audience by licensing popular series and even producing original anime content. This expanded anime's reach and further solidified its place in mainstream entertainment.