Anime vs. Cartoons: What’s the real difference?
Do you love anime? Or are you more of a cartoon person? Regardless of which side you’re on, there are some clear differences between anime and cartoons. In this blog post, we will take a look at the top six distinctions between these two types of animation. Keep reading to learn more!
Anime generally have more complicated storylines, and often relies on Japanese culture and tradition. Cartoons, on the other hand, are typically much simpler in both plot and culture.
That’s it for the short answer, but keep reading to learn more about the 5 key differences between anime and cartoons!
Target audience
As a whole, there are more adult themes in anime, which may not be suitable for children. In contrast, cartoons are generally geared towards a younger audience and tend to be less violent.
For example, anime will often feature mature themes such as death, war, and political intrigue. These are topics that children’s cartoons simply don’t cover.
On the other hand, anime isn’t all doom and gloom – there are plenty of lighthearted anime out there as well! It just depends on what you’re looking for.
In terms of audience, anime is typically geared toward an older demographic, while cartoons are meant for younger viewers. Of course, this isn’t always the case – there are plenty of examples of anime aimed at children and cartoons aimed at adults. But generally speaking, this is true.
Animation style
Another big difference between anime and cartoons is the art style. Anime often has very detailed artwork, while cartoons tend to be more simplistic. This is one of the most distinguishing characteristics between the two types of animation.
The pacing of anime and cartoons can also differ quite a bit. Anime usually has a slower pace, which allows for more character development. Cartoons, on the other hand, are typically much faster-paced since they’re geared towards a younger audience with shorter attention spans.
This difference in pacing can also be seen in the length of anime and cartoons. Anime episodes are typically 20-25 minutes long, while cartoon episodes are only about 11 minutes. This is because anime relies on a slower pace to tell its story, while cartoons move at a much faster pace.
Anime storylines vs cartoon
As we mentioned before, anime generally has more complicated storylines than cartoons. This is because anime often relies on Japanese culture and tradition. Cartoons, on the other hand, are typically much simpler in both plot and culture.
One of the reasons for this is that anime is usually aimed at an older demographic, who can handle more complex stories. Cartoons, on the other hand, are meant for younger viewers and thus have simpler plots.
Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule. There are some animes with very simple storylines and some cartoons with very complex ones. But as a general trend, anime tends to be more intricate while cartoons are less so.
Anime storylines tend to be spread out over several episodes, while cartoon storylines are typically resolved in a single episode. This is because anime relies on a slower pace to tell its story, while cartoons move at a much faster pace.
Origins: anime vs cartoon
Anime is Japanese animation, while cartoons are American animation. This is probably the most obvious difference between the two, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.
Anime had been around since the early 1900s, while cartoons didn’t gain popularity until the 1930s. So, anime have a much longer history than cartoons.
The first anime was created in 1917 by Japanese filmmaker Osamu Tezuka. He is often referred to as the “godfather of anime.”
Cartoons, on the other hand, were popularized by American animator Walt Disney. He created some of the most iconic cartoons of all time, such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.
Examples
Here are some examples of anime:
- Attack on Titan
- Death Note
- Naruto
- One Piece
And here are some examples of cartoons:
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- The Simpsons
- Adventure Time
- Regular Show
Comparison table
Here is a comparison table summarizing the main differences between anime and cartoons:
| Difference | Anime | Cartoon |
|---|---|---|
| Animation style | More detailed artwork. | More simplistic artwork. |
| Pacing | Slower pace. | Faster pace. |
| Length | 20-25 minutes per episode. | 10-15 minutes per episode. |
| Storylines | More complicated storylines. | Simpler storylines. |
| Target audience | Older audience (teenagers and adults). | Younger audience (kids). |
| Origins | Japan | America |
Anime fans and cartoon lovers can debate the merits of each type of animation all day long. But at the end of the day, it’s all about what you personally enjoy watching. So whether you’re Team Anime or Team Cartoon, we hope you enjoy your favorite shows! Thanks for reading!
