Differences between cartoons and anime

This post will help you to identify the differences between these two forms of animation.

Anime is a Japanese animated production that can come in a number of types of formats, such as TV series, short films and full-length feature films, while a cartoon is a form of illustrated visual art that is two dimensional in nature. Though the definition has changed in the course of time, in the modern sense of the term, a cartoon is a non-realistic or somewhat semi-realistic drawing/painting that is intended for satire, caricature or humor.

Animation Techniques

While anime and cartoon animation both make use of conventional animation production steps like creating a plotline, voice overs, creating and designing characters and production of cel, there are a few differences. Anime, unlike cartoons uses a form of limited animation to make the production costs much lower by reusing common features between frames instead of actually drawing out every frame. This actually helps to fool the human eye into thinking that there is more movement than there actually is and can help to lower costs significant. Anime also has an emphasis on 3D views with emphasis on the background.

Subject Matter

Cartoons are generally humorous and are intended to evoke laughter. While some cartoons do attempt to mix education and humor, they are generally directed towards toddlers and kids.

Anime, on the other hand have no general concepts. The stories can be humorous in nature or may be serious. Anime movies generally have a binding plotline that does not digress too much and is much more complex than general cartoons. The subject matter can include deaths and wars and can be quite gruesome at times, and with the developing time, anime directed towards adults are also being created which influences thought. The general differentiation, therefore can be made that anime is meant for people who can hold attention for longer periods of time.

Visual Characteristics

Anime traditionally uses exaggerated physical features to depict the characters. Anime can be differentiated from cartoons by virtue of their physical traits. Anime characters generally have large eyes, elongated limbs and long and exaggerated hair. In the case of manga or written comics, the comics feature dramatic speech bubbles, onomatopoeic typography and speed lines. Cartoons are more approximated to reality and have traces of daily lives in their depiction. Very striking resemblances can be seen, however, they are still caricatures and therefore, often diverge from reality, such as talking animals.

Facial Expressions

Facial expressions of anime characters differ greatly from those of their western counterparts. For example, one of the stock facial expressions that have become almost one of the identifiers of anime is the appearance of a massive drop of sweat in characters who are either stressed or embarrassed. Shock or surprise, similarly produces an exaggerated facial expression, which is called a face fault. Angry characters may form a vein or a stressed effect with bulging veins. Angry female characters often strike others with objects, mainly for comic relief and male characters often get a runny nose in front of their love interests to depict arousal.