Anime might look like just another type of cartoon to many people. However, this isn’t actually the case! While both anime and cartoons are animated, anime is very different to cartoons as most people know them.
Because of this, anime isn’t really referred to as a cartoon.
Over the years, anime has become incredibly popular all over the world. This specific form of animation is famous in countries such as Japan. Traditional cartoons, on the other hand, can be found in many cultures around the world.
Anime has changed the once simple “cartoon” definition and has revolutionized it.
If you want to find out more about the differences between anime and cartoons, keep reading. We’ll be covering everything you need to know.
What Is A Cartoon?
Cartoons were first created in 1908, so they’ve been around for over a century! Even to this day, they are still immensely appreciated and loved globally.
Cartoons can be described as an illustration style with animated characters. These characters have been human, animal, and anything in between.
Most cartoons are aimed at younger audiences. Of course, there are age ratings for cartoons, like there are regular movies. However, if you look at famous cartoons like The Simpsons, Looney Tunes, and Mickey Mouse, most are aimed for children.
With that being said, it’s important to note the difference between a cartoon and an animated movie or TV show. Cartoons are animated TV shows or movies, but animated shows are not always cartoons.
A cartoon is usually an animation technique that uses a sequence of drawings to show movement, expressions, and everything in between.
Animations don’t necessarily have to be based on drawing like cartoons. Look at popular children’s movies and TV shows now and compare them to ones from the 80s or 70s.
Generally, those older movies are in a cartoon style, as they were hand drawn. Nowadays, movies are done using only animation rather than these drawings.
Cartoons are usually very light-hearted and typically have a comedic nature to them.
It would be unusual for a cartoon to have dark themes, as they wouldn’t be very suitable for children. Not only that, but cartoons are typically very stylized and use exaggerated shapes and colors for characters and worlds.
Some famous cartoon characters include ones like Garfield, Donald Duck, Goofy, and the brothers from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Each of these characters have unusual and unnatural characteristics that set them apart.
Understanding Anime
Anime is a Japanese term for animation. Over the years, the term has colloquially come to mean “animation made in Japan”, though it technically just means “animation”. Despite this, anime is incredibly popular in countries all over the world.
In terms of anime, this is something that can vary greatly. There are plenty of anime shows and movies that are great for kids, but a lot of them have very mature themes, too. As such, a lot of anime isn’t suitable for young audiences, unlike cartoons.
Not only are the themes of anime usually much darker and more geared towards an adult-audience, but there are also different animation styles. While not realistic, anime typically bases its characters off a more realistic version of humans and animals.
There are always exceptions, though. For example, the anime series Beastars is one of the few where the characters are not human but anthropomorphic animals instead.
Anime is extremely diverse, much like cartoons. However, unlike cartoons, anime typically have characters that are proportional, and it’s rarer for bright colors to be used for things like skin tones.
The level of detail, in both the animation and stories, can often set anime apart from cartoons.
Themes in anime can be very dark, but they can also be simple and lovely. For example, a popular genre in anime is “slice of life”. These kinds of anime often follow people in their everyday lives, like going to school and being with their friends.
Not every anime has some fantastical adventure, which is what often happens in cartoons.
What Is The Difference Between Anime And Cartoons?
Because both are drawings produced into TV, it’s understandable why someone would categorize both as cartoons. Many people will also see both as childish. However, despite these assumptions, there are actually many differences that set the two apart.
Plots And Themes
The plots and themes are incredibly important when exploring the differences between cartoons and anime. As we mentioned earlier, cartoons are usually suitable for young audiences and have humor and very light-hearted themes.
Anime can have these themes, but many of them do not.
Cartoons aren’t something that a lot of adults appreciate. This is because they are often very simplistic or are educational for young people. Anime is something that adults can enjoy, as long as they enjoy animation. Themes can be much darker, and storylines can be very complex.
One anime that is popular among children and adults alike would be something like Pokémon. However, there are many other anime like Attack on Titan, Death Note, Shiki, Tokyo Ghoul, and Parasyte that are not appropriate for children.
These series are not only complex, but they have gory and even horror themes in them.
Character Design
Character Design is another big difference. Since cartoons are typically made with children in mind, characters are often disproportionate and not very scary. Colors might be flamboyant and nonsensical, and that’s pretty normal for cartoons!
Anime will usually have characters that are proportional, with a few exceptions, and colors aren’t usually as bright. On top of that, characters in anime can be very scary-looking and creepy, especially to children.
Though animated, characters in anime typically aren’t as “animated” as cartoon characters. Unless they are in a comedy series, they rarely have exaggerated movements, and there is a lot of focus on expressions.
Attention To Detail
The attention to detail is usually on a whole other level when it comes to anime. These movies and series can have some of the most beautiful and eye-catching animations and details in them to draw you in.
The Garden of Words has some of the most stunning visuals in the anime world, and cartoons simply don’t come close.
This level of detail is something that is unique to anime. Even when you look at hand movements, gestures, body language, and expressions, cartoons are far more simplistic.
Final Thoughts
Despite the many assumptions, anime and cartoons are two very different concepts. Cartoons are, for the most part, child-friendly and have light-hearted themes. Anime can also be great for kids, but they often carry much darker and more horrifying themes.
The character design and attention to detail are also two important things that set these two concepts apart. Anime characters are usually proportionate and resemble real-life a little more, and cartoons don’t.
In terms of detail, the level of detail in every scene in anime is something that has never been achieved in regular cartoons.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
