Anime or Cartoons

[Gyro]

Which do you like better Japanese animation or American animation? I like anime better than cartoons. I don't know why, I just do :D

[Galaxia]

It's a toss-up between the 2 for me...I can't decide! :p :D :yakko:

[Watagashi]

Well, for animation, I'd go with anime no contest. But for comic books, I would have to go with American style any day. I just love those Spiderman and Young Justice comics too much! :D

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Anime _are_ cartoons. Therefore I like cartoons.

[RogueMartian]

America's got some good cartoons and comics, but we don't even play on the same level as Anime and Manga. Their themes are more varied, their animation is more complex and by far has more fascinating imagry. So I tend to like Anime and Manga better, its just more interesting (visually and storywise). I would love to see some cartoons that are as good, but as long as we have the "cartoons are for kids" mentality it will not be economically feasible and thus won't happen. My favorite american cartoon of all time is Gargoyles, but IMO it's easily beaten by a dozen or so animes that I've seen.

[mbaker]

Anime is usually better, but there's good & bad in both anime, and cartoons. All they have in common is that the're made from paper, boards, pencils, ink, paint, and accitate. You gotta know where to look.

[Memphis Bleek]

Japanese animation is artform in Japan. In America most cartoons are made simply to make money with little or no quality. Anime is made to make money, but time and effort are put into to the product to make it great.

[Momijii]

American cartoons or Anime?

I like both, as long as there's a good story behind it all.

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

SAID BY MOMIJII: I like both, as long as there's a good story behind it all.

BINGO! This is exactly the kind of stuff that I'd say. It doesn't matter, both have ups and downs. Anime is an artform, but U.S. cartoons are the best thing for laughter in my opinion. So it all evens out in the end.

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

SAID BY MOMIJII: I like both, as long as there's a good story behind it all.

BINGO! This is exactly the kind of stuff that I'd say. It doesn't matter, both have ups and downs. Anime is an artform, but U.S. cartoons are the best thing for laughter in my opinion. So it all evens out in the end.

[Patrick]

Originally posted by BourgeoisBuffoon


BINGO! This is exactly the kind of stuff that I'd say. It doesn't matter, both have ups and downs. Anime is an artform, but U.S. cartoons are the best thing for laughter in my opinion. So it all evens out in the end. I like anime and usa cartoons.

[Gyro]

I like both, I just like anime better.

[Patrick]

Originally posted by Gyro
I like both, I just like anime better. Yeah same here

[batboy2001]

Originally posted by Leaping Larry Jojo
Anime _are_ cartoons. Therefore I like cartoons.

Ditto, I like "animation/cartoons".

[Jimmy Kustes]

I have liked more American cartoons than animes.

[Barb Gordon]

As had been said, and if we're going for the general term, Anime=Cartoons, just not in the US. Hence, since I enjoy cartoons, I enjoy Anime. But, if we're going for whether I like Japanese cartoons or American, I'd say it's a toss up. There have been some pretty lame, and some pretty incredible 'toons from either country. And though both make cartoons for profit, like every business needs to do, animation in Japan as a lot greater history, and anime seems to really tell a story. Also, there are some big difference with anime and US cartoons, and that's that anime tends to have a beginning, middle and end. There are very few US cartoons that have actually ended. Yes, they may have their plug pulled on production, by the story never actually had an ending, anime does. But, either way, I just love watching animation, provided it's good animation, and the story is decent.

Barb^-^

[Gyro]

anime tends to have a beginning, middle and end That's one of the things anime has over cartoons. I think it makes the stories more dramatic.

[I.R Joey]

I like them both, it's more a matter of how well the animated show or movie is put together.

[Sir Gatts]

Japanese anime in my opinion are better than American cartoons because I have not yet seen a badly made Japanese anime before compared to the many bad and good American cartoons that I have seen in the past.

[Mr. Obsession]

Originally posted by Leaping Larry Jojo
Anime _are_ cartoons. Therefore I like cartoons.
Exactly.

Personally I don't care if it comes from North America, Japan, Europe, or anywhere else, if I like what I see than I keep on watching it otherwise I'll just move on.

[Mr. Obsession]

Originally posted by Sir Gatts
Japanese anime in my opinion are better than American cartoons because I have not yet seen a badly made Japanese anime before compared to the many bad and good American cartoons that I have seen in the past. Trust me, the Japanese are just as capable of producing a craptacular animated show as we are. If all you have access to are the commercially distributed animes (and there's nothing wrong with that) then you're getting a distorted picture. The majority of what's distributed stateside is either usually very popular in Japan (giving the distribution companies an idea of how well the series will probably do here), already have a huge following here, or just doesn't suck (and of course that right there is always a matter of opinion).

[Ruffian]

American. Such as the Disney Afternoon line up when they had Ducktales, Chip 'N' Dale Rescue Rangers, Tale Spin, and Gargoyles. Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, Tom & Jerry are just classics I grew up watching. Animaniacs, Pinky & the Brain, and Tiny Toons the "new" classics that were just as entertaining, moreso actually. My all time favorites are He-Man and She-Ra, especially She-Ra. :D

I'm just not an anime fan. I don't find it appealing, I don't like the animation style, the way the people are drawn. I won't argue that some of their stuff is definitely cleaner in animation, there's more care to detail, or that some of the stories are deep, but all in all, it just doesn't strike a chord with me. I can't even sit through DBZ for 5 minutes. I've tried to watch that show, but I just can't watch it. I saw Totoro in class, it was okay, but it didn't wow me either. Sailor Moon... eh, She-Ra's way better. ;)

Based on what I've seen, I do agree that American cartoons have the edge in humor. Which I guess could be debated, because different cultures, different humor. But this is my opinion we're talking about and I love the humor that Japanese animation cannot give me.

[RogueMartian]

I have to say I disagree with the opinion that anime can be called cartoons and thus be put on equal footing. From what I've seen of american cartoons, our series are either for kids and can be either well or poorly drawn, or are for adults and thus tend to have VERY poor animation. Our animated films also tend to be VERY simple in themes and plot. Don't get me wrong, I like many american cartoons, but Americans just don't use the medium to its full potential.

Twilight, how many anime titles have you seen? DBZ, while it is a show that I enjoy, is probably a pretty poor representation of the range that anime covers. Toonami shows anime that is mostly for kids. Shows like Evangelion, Gundam Wing, Trigun, Read or Die, Cowboy Bebop, FLCL, or movies like "Grave of the Fireflies", "Princess Mononoke", "Ghost in the Shell", and many others represent anime SO much better. Although some people just don't like anime, my aunt is like that, she just won't watch it because the idea of cartoons being something other than comedy doesn't suit her palette either. I'm not saying you should change, I just think you don't want to miss out on some really good things.

[ccffan01]

I really like both, there are some really crappy animes and some really crappy non-anime.

[Sumi_Masen]

I prefer anime over american cartoons. They're both good(well, it depends on the show...), but I just like anime better. :)

[atari_14]

I like anime better, although i like american cartoons. Like looney toons. most of todays cartoons (no affence) aren't well made, like people have been saying. Just put together. Some don't even have a point to them. I guess i kindda like them both if they have a good story or point.

[Ruffian]

Originally posted by RogueMartian
Twilight, how many anime titles have you seen? DBZ, while it is a show that I enjoy, is probably a pretty poor representation of the range that anime covers. Toonami shows anime that is mostly for kids. Shows like Evangelion, Gundam Wing, Trigun, Read or Die, Cowboy Bebop, FLCL, or movies like "Grave of the Fireflies", "Princess Mononoke", "Ghost in the Shell", and many others represent anime SO much better. Although some people just don't like anime, my aunt is like that, she just won't watch it because the idea of cartoons being something other than comedy doesn't suit her palette either. I'm not saying you should change, I just think you don't want to miss out on some really good things.

Not much compared to the avid fans. I'm aware of the titles that you mentioned, but I'm just not interested in anime. It doesn't attract me, so therefore I don't think about watching it. I don't hate anime, I respect it as I respect anything else. We'll see if I get the chance the see those, I will, but I doubt it'll change my mind about anime, because it just doesn't appeal to me. I have a feeling I'll get to see "Ghost in the Shell," and that one a friend recommended too, and he isn't a anime fan like me either. :p

The only two anime based shows I really, really liked are Voltron and Robotech. Old school and corny, but it's nostalgia. And transforming lions and veritechs are cool. :)

[Blue Priestess]

Why does this even have to be a debate or choice? Is it too much anymore to ask if people can take individual shows on individual merits, instead of lumping them into vaguely defined genres based on areas of origin & the stereotypes associated therewith? I've honestly burnt out violently on the whole "anime is not cartoons--it's better, etc., etc." but I still watch the series I like, and a goodly deal of stateside things that are trying too hard to live up to that image of anime & wound up being just plain dumb. In the end, both look sorta stupid. Look at the shows and decide based on that, please. Don't be an EGM-worthy fanboy about it.

Mela

[Borg4of3]

Originally posted by MTDiva
Why does this even have to be a debate or choice? Is it too much anymore to ask if people can take individual shows on individual merits, instead of lumping them into vaguely defined genres based on areas of origin & the stereotypes associated therewith? I've honestly burnt out violently on the whole "anime is not cartoons--it's better, etc., etc." but I still watch the series I like, and a goodly deal of stateside things that are trying too hard to live up to that image of anime & wound up being just plain dumb. In the end, both look sorta stupid. Look at the shows and decide based on that, please. Don't be an EGM-worthy fanboy about it.

Mela

Woohoo! I like that view. :)
Tho, Anime generally does have a certain artistic style to it that one could like or dislike. And it is the general opinion, of most execs here at least, that cartoons should be made for kids, tho there are quite a few that aren't. Lousy execs... But still, I like that view.

[RogueMartian]

Why does this even have to be a debate or choice? Is it too much anymore to ask if people can take individual shows on individual merits, instead of lumping them into vaguely defined genres based on areas of origin & the stereotypes associated therewith? I've honestly burnt out violently on the whole "anime is not cartoons--it's better, etc., etc." but I still watch the series I like, and a goodly deal of stateside things that are trying too hard to live up to that image of anime & wound up being just plain dumb. In the end, both look sorta stupid. Look at the shows and decide based on that, please. Don't be an EGM-worthy fanboy about it.

Nobody here is asking anyone to make a choice, the question is simply which you generally tend to prefer. Some tend to prefer american cartoons and some prefer anime. Good toons is good toons, end of story. The only point i was trying to make is that comparing anime to american cartoons is like comparing apples and oranges. Our two cultures view the medium differently and treat it differentlly. That is all.

Twilight, definitely give Ghost in the Shell a shot, you may want to check out Princess Mononoke(VERY VERY GOOD), or if your into really weird movies Perfect Blue(A lot like a Hitchcock movie). These three are better than many American Films that I've seen.

[Gyro]

Good toons is good toons, end of story Heh, I like that :) . He's right though, no body is asking anyone to make a choice.

[Borg4of3]

Originally posted by RogueMartian


Nobody here is asking anyone to make a choice, the question is simply which you generally tend to prefer. Some tend to prefer american cartoons and some prefer anime. Good toons is good toons, end of story. The only point i was trying to make is that comparing anime to american cartoons is like comparing apples and oranges. Our two cultures view the medium differently and treat it differentlly. That is all.


Actually, I think whats being said is that you can't say you like Anime or American, because both are, while not cartoons (which seems to be an offending term to some people), animated entertainment. Intead of saying that one prefers anime, it would be better to say I like Slayers, Excel Saga, Jackie Chan's Adventures, Evangelion, Simpsons, Futurama, Spongebob Squarepants, Invader Zim, Pokemon, etc. (which I do :D) So its the general consensis that one can't 'prefer' anime or american, unless you're a big fan of a certain aspect that all Anime/American share... or a biased twit :p (relax, i'm being sarcastic there) .What you said about preferring Anime or American contradicts your, "Good toons is good toons" quote, which I do agree with :)

Oh, and call me ignorant, but what is an 'EGM-worthy fanboy'? Are you talking about Electric Gaming Monthly and console-based fanboys? Is so, then yah, they are the lowest rung of human civilization (note: exaggeration). :p

[RogueMartian]

I don't think its a contradiction. A good cartoon is a good carton, no matter where it was made. I simply prefer anime to american cartoons regularly because anime is just...so much better (for reasons I stated before). That doesn't mean I don't like Batman Beyond, Gargoyles, Powerpuff Girls, and many other american cartoons, they are very good. I'm just saying that I like anime more. Its not a contradiction, just a varying degree of taste.

[Dante Bunny]

Originally posted by Gyro
I like both, I just like anime better.


I like cartoons cause of the comedy and action, same as Anime. Heck, I like both =)

:yakko: :wakko: :dot: ^^

[JohnStewart-GL]

cartoons

[Blue Priestess]

Originally posted by Borg4of3


Oh, and call me ignorant, but what is an 'EGM-worthy fanboy'? Are you talking about Electric Gaming Monthly and console-based fanboys? Is so, then yah, they are the lowest rung of human civilization (note: exaggeration). :p

Hoo, yeah. I got a free year's worth of EGM, and I was gonna pay to keep getting it, but after the umpteenth "We don't like non-ubermacho heroes" whining and generally being a bunch of stuck records embodying what they hate in the characterization angles of the games, I decided that there's no way in Hades these overgrown kiddies are getting my money. If you don't like the characters, don't play the game--it's not that hard. Sorta like TV--if you don't like the show, don't watch.

Mela

[True Red]

Both, equally. I like the variety of art styles that are found in American cartoons, but I also like the Japanese anime style too.

After that, it's whether or not I like the story, plot, humor, etc. that makes me want to see the show/movie or not.

[Bic]

For me, I love animation period, no matter where it originated from. I'm a little strange in that I don't see animation as an indivdual catagory. Because animation, for all intents and purposes, is another storytelling device.

Instead I group my viewing choices by genres that just happen to be animated (ex: Drama: Umi ga Kikoeru (Ocean Waves), Ruroni Kenshin OVAs (Samurai X); Sci-Fi Action: Batman:TAS, Read or Die OVAs, Atlantis. Batman Beyond:Return of the Joker; Adult: Fritz the Cat, La Blue Girl; Etc.).

That said, I do watch more Japanese and European animation than American because I love dark twisted stories (besides mysteries and poltical or technological thrillers) that don't end like the by-the-numbers standards of Hollywood (which is why Alias is one of the best TV shows I seen in a while).

If I see an animated movie or show on the shelf at my local Blockbuster (which has a limited supply of animated titles) I rent them and gauge them on how I would do a regular series, movie, or book. Was the story engaging? Did I feel for the characters?
For example: I tried to enjoy DBZ but after a couple of episodes it was just a fight-of-the-week, testosterone(sp?) heavy, simple minded plot which made it better than the WWF but not much. I could switch the dialogue from one character to the next and it would still work. Likewise the StarShip Troopers: Roughnecks series also falls into the same trappings: bug hunt, rest, bug hunt, repeat. Again change a character's dialogue to another character and it the story still flows.

One thing I do dislike: the social meaning of the word Cartoon. It's a great word and I am a amateur cartoonist, but as a society in America the term cartoon is associated with Children's Entertainment . So I use the term Animation or Animated instead.
For example: My co-worker was told that Princess Mononoke was a cartoon by her friend, so she didn't want to watch it. I asked her if she wanted to go see an animated film she whole-hardily agreed and really enjoyed Princess Mononoke.

Sorry for the length of the post.... and I hope I made sense. :o

[Borg4of3]

Perfect sense! Wow! I was certain when I originally came to this thread that we'd have a ton of fanboyish fights and arguments, but everyone here has brought a very intelligent air to this discussion. :)

[Deltamon]

I'm going with the 'Good toons is good toons' philosophy as well.

While I'm currently being a fangirl towards several Anime shows, I will not disreguard any American or European-made shows that I've liked in the past. Before discovering Sailor Moon, I'd jump for TMNT. Before the name Gundam came on to Cartoon Network's screen, I was (AM!) a rabid Sonic The Hedgehog fan (arguably the character was created in Japan, yet the SatAM and syndicated shows based on him were US-made, so it counts in my book).

Ironically, while I also prefer to refer to anything animated as, well, animation, I tend to consider myself a 'cartoonist', despite rarely drawing humor-themed drawings and occasionally drawing 'Anime/Manga' style. Ah well :P :P :D

[Scythemantis]

I go by that as well. Animation is animation. I don`t see at all why so many people automatically put anime higher than anything else and drool all over it. I just don`t see the difference! Even if you think all anime IS written or designed better than our stuff, I don`t think that has to do with it BEING anime. It would just mean better writers happen to live in japan, which would be due to their superior education system anyway :)

[oranthal]

anime or cartoon? i hate both. nah. i don't really have preference; whatever seems to tickle my fancy i'll watch. not all anime are good/bad and not all cartoons are good/bad.

[The Mad Hatter]

If it's good, I'll watch it. Where it comes from doesn't even enter into the equation.

[Blue Priestess]

Originally posted by The Mad Hatter
If it's good, I'll watch it. Where it comes from doesn't even enter into the equation.

AMEN!! (Sorry, just had to give a shout-out)

Mela