Cross cultural influences in Japanese and Western Cartoons.

[I.R Joey]

Has anyone noticed that now a days it seems like the two are influencing eachother left and right? I mean how you seem to be catching how they refrence each other, and borrow styles from eachother more frequently. Case in point Sunrise's shows Big O and the crittically acclaimed Cowboy Bebop, they seem influenced by not only the American cartoons of the 60's, but also of some newer ones especially those in the Batman/Superman family. I mean I know the Anime style stemmed alot from post WW2 Disney classics like Snow white or even pre-war like Betty Boop, due impart to the tremendous flood of cultural influence that came upon Japan during it's post war construction. But maybe I'm just seeing it more.

Then we look at the west (American and Canada in particular) and we seen that more cartoons are adopting the angular style more commen in Japan (look in comparison to Rankin's Bass's or filmations shows of the 1980's compared to say The Zeta Project of Static, or morst obviously something like Samuri Jack which is proud of it's anime influences. Or even in commedic shows like Teletoon's Totally Spies (I think they made the show) the wild takes and even the drawing of facial muscles are more reminicent of traditional Jappanesse style then Western.

I personally love it, cultural exchanges rule!!!!!!!

[I.R Joey]

And darn it nobody cares about broadining their horrizons, shame on you Toonzonies where's your cultural awareness.

[kiddiesunshine]

cool your jets, mister! i know what you mean. anime has had a huge impact on me. in my comic book series, bonnie & clyde, half of planet suibom speaks suibomese, which is derived from japanese. bonnie only speaks it when she's excited while clyde rarely speaks it.
look at this character list and tell me there's no influence:
kayin masayuki
yuka masayuki
shigeru shiraiwa
ryuken
those are just a few.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

That is one comic book series I'd like to see animated, LOL!

[kiddiesunshine]

you like my comic?! how flattering. i can tell you more if you want! i'm on #7 right now. go to my website to read up on a few past eppies.