The Dirty Word: Anime

A Brief History and Introduction to the word Anime

Many of us grew up on Disney. Whether you were born in the 1940s, the 1990s, or after the turn of the millennium: chances are you were shown films such as Dumbo, Bambi, Lady and the Tramp, or any from the myriad Disney animations available. By now, you may have shown them to your children or even your grandchildren. Indeed, some of these films are so timeless that I’m sure many would be surprised to learn that Bambi, for example, was first released in 1942, yet it is still just as poignant today as it was then. We still show these films to our children, we still talk about them with our friends, we remember watching them and I daresay we’ve all heard someone lament something along the lines of “cartoons aren’t as good as they used to be” with a wistful look on their face. Now, Disney wasn’t the only company raising us on animated films. We also had wonderfully high-quality animations released by DreamWorks: The Prince of Egypt, The Road to El Dorado, Spirit. The point is that animation has been a significant part of many young people’s upbringing - and I do apologise if I’ve neglected to mention your childhood favourite so far.

Alongside Disney and DreamWorks, both American companies, we also have Studio Ghibli in Japan. Amongst Studio Ghibli’s most well-known releases are films including: Spirited Away, Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbour Totoro, and many others. Studio Ghibli can be considered in parallel to the likes of Disney as they have been permeating Western culture since the 1980s with English dubbed versions of their productions being developed by Western companies. Even Disney were involved in a partnership. This pseudo-lesson in the history of popular animation leads to a strange disparity in the current viewing climate whereby the idea of watching ‘Anime’ is off-putting for people for no other reason than the stigma surrounding the word. In reality the word Anime is simply an English colloquial term for Japanese animation which refers to any animated work produced in Japan.

Chances are You have Already Watched and Enjoyed Anime

If you grew up watching Pokémon, Dragonball Z, or Yu-Gi-Oh; then I’m sorry but you grew up watching anime, likely before you knew there was a separate word based on where it was produced. Now, this isn’t an accusation, nor am I going to attempt to shame anybody for liking or disliking anime, or even cartoons in general. Cartoons and anime are inherently the same thing after all, but we almost cage an entire industry, and many genres within these terms in a rather unfair manner. We’ve stigmatised the enjoyment of anime because we perceive it as a different hobby to watching a cartoon like The Simpsons. There are even people out there who may consider the film they watched as a kid about the young girl in the bathhouse for spirits; to be an entirely more acceptable pass-time than watching literally any non-Ghibli animated film or tv series. I think this happens because Anime has become a dirty word. A group you can’t admit to being a part, even to the point of pretending to shame others who openly partake. We have words for people who like anime: Nerd, Weeb, Weaboo, Otaku, Loser - I’m sure there are more. Some feel like insults and are often used with the intent to insult or belittle, some are just downright insults, which doesn’t help. Now another quick disclaimer: I’ve never suffered social outcast by being labelled a ‘Weeb’ or a ‘Loser’, and so I’m not going to speak out as a social activist calling for more inclusive language. I have, however, felt like I shouldn’t openly admit to liking anime and only in the last few years have started surround myself with people who I can comfortably enjoy whatever I want to and not feel ashamed. Though, I know that some of my friends would dismiss the idea of joining me to watch an animated show because it is anime and because they see it as inherently ‘nerdy’ or weird.

Now, to anyone who is thinking, ‘but there is so much weird anime, it deserves my scepticism’ - you’re right, honestly, there are a lot of extremely bizarre animated films and series. However, it’s time to be honest with ourselves and admit that there are plenty of strange western cartoons too: Spongebob Squarepants, Beavis and Butthead, Courage the Cowardly Dog: but they’re ok because they’re ‘meant to be weird, that’s why they’re funny’. Perhaps I got there before or as you were thinking it. I’m afraid to say that it’s the same with anime: One Punch Man, Kill la Kill, KonoSuba. If you googled any of these, they would probably look pretty strange or over the top, you may even see some images embodying all of the things you consider wrong with anime. We’ve got over-stylised characters, sometimes in skimpy or suggestive clothing, and people think ‘yep, this is it, this is why I just can’t take anime seriously’ - but, series like these are predominantly satirical and not intended to be viewed with complete sincerity and seriousness. Before I get to recommending specific shows/films, I would highly recommend anybody who has been put off by ‘the worst’ of anime to remember that there is a worst side of all industries and that often many of the people actively engaging with them are watching them to enjoy how bad or full of tropes they are. Consider, Sharknado or Bee Movie, most of us don’t watch them for the cinematic brilliance, rather how absurd they are. So if you are prepared to give anime a go but want it to be a bit more serious or relatable then you’re in luck because there is just as many of those available as there are the serious live action shows you already enjoy. For example, the previously mentioned Studio Ghibli have produced some fantastic films which are frequently included in ‘Top X movies of all time’ type lists. You will struggle to find a film more sincere (and devastating) than Grave of the Fireflies, or more earnest with clear morals than Spirited Away.

Recommendations

I’ll begin recommendations with a bit of a rapid-fire round of what to watch if you’ve enjoyed a Studio Ghibli film in the past. Then I’ll briefly discuss similar shows to the likes of Pokémon before moving on to recommendations based on genres.

There are plenty of side-by-side comparisons to be made with Studio Ghibli productions and as you’d expect many film makers are influenced by other animated works so there are many similar themes, stories, styles, morals, etc. A clear example is the popular message in Anime that the development of urban society is dangerously harming nature. You’ll see this recur frequently, notable examples are Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and Origin: Spirits of the Past, produced by Gonzo - another Japanese animation company. Alongside nature, the sea features in many: Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo; Children of the Sea, a very recent production; and Big Fish and Begonia, a Chinese production this time with some really stunning visuals. There are so many productions out there with the same whimsy as seen in Studio Ghibli’s works. Lu Over the Wall, Mary and the Witch’s Flower, Wolf Children, I’m confident you’ll enjoy any of these if you find you’re enjoying or have enjoyed a Studio Ghibli production in the past.

Sadly, there are too many to go through individually. I could talk at length about some really amazing anime films but then there would be no time left to watch them. Putting films to one side for now, there are many great series out there too. Believe it or not, Pokémon is still ongoing with fans anticipating the 24th season to be released this year so you may well fancy seeing if it’s still something you can enjoy. However, if you feel you’ve likely outgrown Pokémon by now then there are plenty of fun action/adventure series out there. An extremely popular anime series is Cowboy Bebop, it is a far more adult story with surprising sophistication for anyone who considers anime wholly representable as schoolgirls in sailor outfits. It may sound like a bias but it is fact popular opinion that there is nothing really wrong with Cowboy Bebop and so it is rather hard not to appreciate. It is largely episodic with a larger story being tied together as it progresses somewhat haphazardly, the main cast features an eclectic array of personalities, and the animation is high quality. The show comfortably jumps between seriousness and silly moments, tackling themes of loneliness and regretting past mistakes while also maintaining an often very light and fun series of adventures. You might take a look as see the main protagonist, Spike, as your typical ‘cool-guy-detective’ character with his edgy turned up collar and long drags of his cigarette but he, like all of the characters, is well-developed and the relatability isn’t held back by the lack of a real person’s acting in front of you. You still get to hear a real person speak all the lines at the end of the day, which tied with the atmosphere of a given scene will work just as well as any of the most accredited scenes in cinema. Fans of the show will recognise the soundtrack anywhere, especially the opening theme, and I’m sure will agree that the soundtrack throughout the series is not only appropriate but adds yet another reason to watch on top of an already highly recommendable show. I mention Cowboy Bebop first as it is often seen as a ‘gateway’ anime which can help break down the pre-conceived barriers between anime and ‘normal’ tv.

Wider Recommendations

I’ll now list some recommendations by genre, including series and film. I will try to relate the examples given to similarly themed Western productions to help narrow down any searches or curiosity.

A great film to start with is Satoshi Kon’s Paprika, a core inspiration for the popular Hollywood blockbuster, Inception. Inception is known for being a mind-bender with great visuals, a gripping story, and a pretty unique seeming premise. If you enjoyed Inception, then you will almost certainly enjoy Paprika for many of the same reasons. Both films revolve around the technology to enter another’s dream, but Paprika’s story plays out more wildly than Inception with the borders between dreams and reality being even less clear at times. There are plenty of moments which will leave you questioning what just happened and the animation is brilliantly playful allowing it to represent such a crazy story really aptly. Both fall under the same genres: action, adventure, crime, thriller, mystery, science fiction, psychological, etc.

If romance is more your thing than wondering what on earth is happening, then if you want films, consider: Your Name, A Silent Voice, or Weathering with You. All are modern releases with wonderful animation quality. I think many of us would be surprised at just how high-quality animation is becoming nowadays and how far it can be pushed to resemble reality. Your Name is probably one of the most popular modern animated films at the moment; the story follows a teenage boy and girl continuously waking up in each other’s bodies with no knowledge of the who the other person is or why it’s happening. They leave messages for each other and naturally grow closer together through this indirect communication, as well as sporadically living each other’s lives for short instances. The story reaches a dramatic and emotional conclusion with a twist in the middle. I think it is quite suitable to say that Your Name feels surprisingly meaningful when you could easily dismiss it as a teenage romance film with little attraction for adults in the real world. Weathering with You has a very similar atmosphere to Your Name and has all the same ethereal feelings of magic and fantasy. Once again, the animation quality is breath-taking and the story is surprisingly unique, playing on a far more mundane seeming magic of a girl being able to make it sunny and a boy who supports her in turning it into a service for the people of a city currently suffering a constant rainstorm. A mix of very light-hearted moments and sincere romance makes it a very enjoyable film to watch. A Silent Voice is less magical and more romance but is no less brilliant than the other two. The main protagonist is a teenage boy who bullied a deaf girl who joined their class in elementary school, the result of his sometimes-awful behaviour is that he is ostracized by his class and becomes incredibly anti-social. The story follows him as he re-encounters the girl from he bulled and tries to sincerely apologise and make amends, slowly falling in love with her. There’s a certain charm to A Silent Voice that many other romances lack, and part of it is in in the animation style. There are, of course, some tried-and-tested tropes but ultimately it is very earnest and worthwhile for anyone who likes a well-deserving romance.

I’ve largely neglected series under the romance genre as there are simply too many to highlight a couple or explore why you should watch some rather than others. However, since I have discussed three films with teenage casts (I should also clarify that teenage casts does not mean adults cannot enjoy them, nor does it mean they aren’t aimed at adult audiences just as much as younger ones), I will mention some more adult series. It’s easier to base recommendations here on personal favourites so I will recommend: Spice and Wolf, Golden Time, and Nodame Cantabile. You will perhaps find these more relatable as an adult who is perhaps further from their youth than they might wish. There are also many great romantic anime series out there which may start with young casts but develop into adulthood.

If you want a thriller or at least a show with more action, cool fight scenes, or magic, or it doesn’t matter but it needs to be energetic and high impact then consider: Fullmetal Alchemist, Death Note, Terror in Resonance, or Steins;Gate. All of these series have a well-developed and interesting story, and all of them have the potential to keep you on the edge of your seat. I’ll highlight Fullmetal Alchemist in particular as it is one of the most deeply genre-mixing shows I’ve ever seen. If you decide to give it a go then you’ll notice how the animation can change from serious and high contrast to childish and quite abstract with no warning. Indeed, the manipulation of animation styles allows a profoundly disturbing story to not get overbearing. Long-time anime fans will likely accredit some of the most brutal and horrific scenes to Fullmetal Alchemist. There are many meaningful themes which make the series worthwhile and relevant: the atrocities of war, arrogance, greed - it probably sounds pretty heavy but there is also romance, and comedy sewn in. All in All, Fullmetal Alchemist is one of those shows that will stick with you and potentially change somebodies mind about whether watching anime is acceptable or not.

(note: there are two versions of the series, Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - the latter is generally considered to be better developed with some key differences in the progression of the story)

I’ll finish thrillers with a deliberately vague mention of a series, and some films under the title Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Try to go in knowing as little as possible, and I’ll say only that you have likely never been more wrong about a show than you will be about this one before watching it.

I’ll now start to close up with comedies. We all have our own idea about what is funny and what isn’t so I won’t try to explain to you with objective reasoning as to why you should enjoy any of these. I have found them funny and I daresay you will be able to find any one of these funny too. The first is Nichijou¸ incredibly light-hearted and fun, and rather ahead of its time humour. This is the kind of series I recommend to people who wouldn’t usually watch anime but want something fun and easy to watch. Very episodic, with the actual episodes even being broken down into much shorter and often random increments. To me, this is amongst the funniest anime available in terms of silliness and playfulness, with a healthy mix of slapstick, bizarre, and highly specific yet relatable inconveniences of daily life. Next is Gintama, there’s a whole lot of it so if you enjoy it you’re in luck. The show is unbelievably over the top and spends a great amount of time making seemingly pointless running jokes about usually arbitrary things. Gintama revels in its absurdity, in both premise and deliverance. You will be hard-pressed not to find something you can laugh to amongst the madness that is Gintama. For movies, there’s plenty of fun to be had in Tokyo Godfathers, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and of course many Studio Ghibli productions.

Finally, I’ll mention some shows which can be recommended purely on their animation. Mekakucity Actors is a quite bizarre and seemingly chaotic series with many strange and fantastical perspectives in the scenes. The art style can go from being quite standard to being pretty overwhelming with strong contrasts and extremely complex messes of objects like streetlights or electricity cables. Mekakucity Actors is a fun story with a lot of ‘wait what’ moments and it actually unravels really nicely. Another is Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, a hugely popular show which is frequently reference online or in other series. The series displays endless extremely chiselled, beautiful, and exaggerated characters while clearly having a great time playing around with overly dramatic scenes and a fast-paced story. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure has a cult following of those who view it as the best anime out there, and there are indeed many things to enjoy.

That’s probably enough for anyone thinking of trying anime to be getting on with. I hope you find something you can enjoy, even if it isn’t mentioned here. At the very least, I’d encourage everyone to be open-minded when approaching anime, there is a lot to love but there will inevitably be series with great reviews but that just aren’t for you. It doesn’t matter if you drop a popular series after 2 episodes or find you love a series which everyone else thinks is a 4/10. Just have fun, like any other hobby.