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ANIME: A MEDIUM BEYOND CARTOONS

"The world's not perfect, but it's there for us, trying the best it can. That's what makes it so damn beautiful."


Does this quotation sound like it belongs in a cartoon? It comes from the Fullmetal Alchemist anime. This is just one of the innumerable instances of how beautiful anime can be.


Anime is not only a genre of its own but a medium of storytelling that can cover many different genres and themes. Anime showcases the features of animation up to an extent that can make people feel a spectrum of emotions, be it bliss, grief, excitement, or uncertainty. Personally, the element of surprise is what fascinates me the most. You are always on the edge of your seat, with no idea what is going to strike next. Before getting into the nitty-gritty of the topic, let us bust some myths about anime.

● Animes are mainly for kids

There is a wide range of genres in anime, including drama, action, romance, horror, and more, which can appeal to viewers of all ages. Some anime series may be geared toward children, but there are many anime series that are intended for older audiences.

● All anime is violent or sexually explicit

While some anime series might feature violence or sexual content, not all anime is like this. As with any form of entertainment, there is a wide range of content in anime, and viewers can choose to watch series that align with their personal preferences and values.

● All anime is made in Japan

Although Japan is the birthplace of anime, there are now many countries around the world that produce anime-style animation, such as the United States, South Korea, and China.

One of the unique characteristics of anime is the attention to detail in its storytelling. Anime often tells complex and layered stories that explore themes of love, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and more. Anime shows are known for their emotional depth and complex characters.

It takes a lot to create such projects from scratch. There are corporations involved who have specific instructions to create a masterpiece. One of the most essential soldiers who ignite the spark are voice actors. They can bring characters to life by giving them personality, emotion, and depth. They use their voices to convey a wide range of emotions, from happiness and excitement to sadness and despair. Voice actors have the power to create emotional connections with fans through this medium.

The other crucial players in the industry are the animators, who are responsible for creating stunning visuals that bring the story and characters to life. They use their artistic skills to design and animate characters, backgrounds, and special effects, which create a rich immersive world that draws viewers in. They play a critical role in enhancing storytelling by using visual cues to convey information and emotion. Nonetheless, true anime fans recognize the effort put in by the creators and try their best to give back to the community.

Anime has become so popular that it has spawned a whole subculture of anime enthusiasts, cosplayers, and even anime-themed cafes and stores. It is a medium that offers something for everyone, from action-packed shows to heartwarming romantic comedies and everything in between. Some anime fans have taken their love for the medium to the extreme by creating their own anime-inspired artwork, fan fiction, and cosplay costumes.

Anime and video games have a close relationship, with many popular video game franchises being adapted into anime series and vice versa. For instance, there are video game versions of the Dragon Ball Z series.

Believe me! There is undoubtedly much more to what the anime universe holds; I've just begun to scrape the surface. If any of this piques your interest, try it out and see what anime offers.


-Sahitya Bajpai

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