Difference Between Anime and Cartoon

February 2023 · 5 minute read

Main Difference

The main difference between anime and cartoon is that anime is a Japanese style of picture animation, whereas cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art.

Anime Vs. Cartoon

The history of anime started in the 20th century when Japanese movie directors started telling their stories by using various drawing and animating techniques whereas; the term “cartoon” refers to television shows and other short fictional movies that created by the illusion of movement of computer-generated or drawn images. So, Anime is a Japanese style of picture animation, whereas cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. Anime emphasis on art qualities while cartoons emphasis on motion. Anime is made by using techniques similar to the techniques used in creating movies; on the other side, there is no complex technique used in the formation of cartoons. During anime formation visuals are produced before the voice acting on the flip side in cartoons voice acting is performed first then the visuals. Anime is often devoid of humor whereas cartoon usually has a humorous content. Anime is entertaining both for young and adult audiences; on the other hand; cartoons are made for a young audience.

Comparison Chart

AnimeCartoon
A Japanese style of picture animation is known as anime.A form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art is known as a cartoon.
Origination
Anime originated in Japan.Cartoons originated first in the US.
Topics
Anime mostly based on life issues or related to human emotion and has more violent and sexual themes.Cartoons are generally more comical and are made to make people laugh.
Made For
Anime is entertaining both for young and adult audiences.Cartoons are made for only the young audience.
Techniques
Anime is made by using techniques similar to the techniques used in creating movies.Cartoons are made up of simple techniques.
Formation
During anime, formation visuals are produced before the voice acting.During cartoons formation voice acting is done first then the visuals.
Emphasis On
Anime emphasis on art qualities.Cartoons emphasis on motion.
Distribution
Anime sometimes distributed theatricallyCartoons are intended to be watched on TV
Facial Expressions
Physical features and facial expressions and of the personages in anime are exaggerated.Physical features and facial expressions of the personages in cartoons are normal.
Physical Features
Physical features of characters like larger eyes and smaller mouths look cute and are closer to reality.Characters have features that are not relative to the rest of the body, so they are further from reality.
Length
Anime is 22 to 25 minutes in length per episode or may also be in the form of full action movies.Cartoons vary between 5 minutes to an hour.

What is Anime?

Anime is the animated productions of Japanese. The word “anime” is derived from the French term “dessin animé.” They come in all formats, such as television series, e.g. Dragon Ball and Inuyasha, full-length feature films and animated short films, etc. We can easily differentiate anime from others by observing the physical traits of the characters because they include large eyes, big hair, and elongated limbs, etc. Physical features and facial expressions of the personages in anime are exaggerated. For example, Stressed or embarrassed characters produce a massive sweat-drop, and an angry character may exhibit a “vein” or “stress mark” effect, etc. They are mostly based on life issues or related to human emotion and has more violent and sexual themes.

Examples

Death Note, Bleach, and One Piece are famous examples of anime shows.

What is Cartoon?

A form of two-dimensional visual art is known as a cartoon. The first cartoon was produced in 1499. The cartoon was firstly used as a model or study for a painting. They are derived from the word “karton” which means strong or heavy paper. Its characters have features that are not relative to the rest of the body, so they are further from reality. Physical features and facial expressions of the personages in cartoons are normal and are made by using simple techniques. They have adventurous or silly humorous situations and made for a young audience.

Examples

Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny and Superman are examples of cartoons.

Key Differences

  • A Japanese style of picture animation is known as anime, whereas a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art is known as a cartoon.
  • Anime originated in Japan, on the other hand; cartoons originated first in the US.
  • Anime mostly based on life issues or related to human emotion and has more violent and sexual themes conversely, cartoons are generally more comical and are made to make people laugh.
  • Anime is entertaining both for young and adult audiences; on the other hand; cartoons are made for an only young audience.
  • Anime is made by using techniques similar to the techniques used in creating movies on the flip side; cartoons are made up of simple techniques.
  • During anime, formation visuals are produced before the voice acting while during cartoons formation voice acting is done first then the visuals.
  • Anime emphasis on art quality on the other side, cartoons emphasis on motion.
  • Anime sometimes distributed theatrically while cartoons are intended to be watched on TV.
  • Physical features and facial expressions of the personages in anime are exaggerated whereas, facial expressions and physical features of the personages in cartoons are normal.
  • Physical features of characters like larger eyes and smaller mouths look cute and are closer to the reality on the flip side; characters have features that are not relative to rest of the body, so they are further from reality.
  • Anime is 22 to 25 minutes in length per episode or may also be in the form of full action movies, on the other side, cartoons vary between 5 minutes to an hour.
  • Conclusion

    From the above discussion, it is summarized that anime is a picture animation of Japanese origin and is more technical and near to reality. On the other hand, Cartoons originated in the US, which is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art, less technical and far from reality.

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