Anime refers to the Japanese version of an animated cartoon series. However, the Japanese and other Asians prefer to call it anime. These films feature characters that have doe eyes. As a matter of fact, anime is a free-standing industry in Japan just like Hollywood is huge in the United States. There are actually many private colleges in Japan that offer training to anime voice over artists. However, there is so much that’s not known about anime despite the fact that the animated films enjoy a large following from all over the world. Here is a collection of facts about anime that you should know.
- It’s Watched by All Ages
Unlike ordinary cartoons that are watched by children in different parts of the world, Japanese animations are popular among people of all ages. An adult found watching a cartoon in western countries would look weird and childish. But the situation is different in Japan. It’s not surprising to find several adults watching animations like a movie. Interestingly, most of the content is watched by grownups. Although the majority of the fans watch Japanese in their homes, there is a considerable number of people that prefer to watch the series in movie theatres. Some of the most popular genres include horror, comedy, adventure and drama, However, there are some series that are ideal for children. The governments of Japan and China have in the recent past banned animations that were believed to be influencing children negatively. Death Note was specifically banned because it incited children against their teachers.
- Coded Language is Used Widely
While the rest of the world watches anime for entertainment purposes only, the Japanese like it because it contains characters that they can relate with. Besides that, the series usually have elements that have hidden meaning or in other words, coded communication. Such elements are used in instances where there is a sensitive issue that can’t be discussed in public. As an outsider, you may not be able to crack the meaning of coded elements. This means that the films are also used for delivering a message to the masses discreetly. The good thing is that the producers of anime films convey their messages without complicating the storyline. In fact, you would need to be a keen observer to identify the coded language in these series.
- Majority of Shows Not Aired During the Day
Like mentioned earlier, Japanese animations have more adult followers than children. And perhaps that’s why the shows are aired late in the evening. This ensures that grownups can watch the shows after arriving home from work. Even advertisers pay a premium price to promote their brands in the shows that are aired at night. If you opt to watch TV during the day, you will actually miss a lot because you will only get content that’s not tailored for adults.
- Most Content is Borrowed from Adult Films
Although the Japanese government prohibits the airing of animations that contain content that’s not appropriate for children, most of the films that are meant for mature audience have themes and elements that originate from adult films. Funny enough, this feature is not only used in the erotica genre. This explains why the majority of TV stations in Japan prefer to broadcast anime films late into the night.
