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Along with its unique
drawing style, anime also has several other things which
make it an appealing and unique medium. While there
are many of these traits or "trends" in anime
(definitely too numerous to mention), I'm going to be
focusing on several things which seem to recur again
in specific anime series or recur in the medium in general.
Knowing these will give you an idea of what to expect
when you're actually watching anime. Here's some of
the most important of trends in anime:
 Anime
Subgenres:
Anime itself is not uniform in type - like many things,
it can be divided into lots of different categories,
or subgenres, each with their own properties and and
practices. The freedom of the anime medium (and of the
originating Japanese culture) allows for a greater range
of works to be created that are considered to be "anime".
For example, there are anime shows aimed at young children,
adults, girls, and boys. There are also many different
types of shows as well. For example, Neon Genesis Evangelion,
of which an image is pictured at left, is partly a "mecha"
anime - action-oriented anime that feature giant mechanical
robots or machines (mecha). Other types of anime include
"shoujo" (young girl) anime, aimed at a young
female audience, and typically containing themes of
romance and drama, and "hentai" (perverted)
anime which are more adult and sexually oriented. In
any case, a common misconception that some can make
is that anime is all of one type or variation, and may
base opinions about it from that. After the explaination
of different types and subgenres above, I doubt you'll
make the same mistake, right?
Recurring
Plot and Deep Storyline:
In Japan, anime is considered equal to "live-action"
movies, and as such, is not restricted, as most Western
animated features are, to being fit into a mold of being
"just for kids". The practices and trends
of live-action media and film are definitely applicable
to many, if not all, anime, and is one of the main attractions
of anime to potential fans. One can see comedies, dramas,
action, and more in anime, just as much as one would
see in looking at live-action films. The best effect
of anime's equality in Japan to live-action, however,
is the use of plot and storyline in anime series. Most
anime series are not "stand-alone" when it
comes to a series of episodes. The types of deep, involving
plots that could be woven into some of your favorite
movies and TV shows are things that could possibly be
present in most anime one could pick up. To take the
Neon Genesis Evangelion example again, Evangelion is
a "mecha" anime, but it also features a deep
story involving conspiracy, betrayal, and self-pity
for its characters. Such depth is usually only reserved
for the best of TV series or movies, but in anime, anything
goes.
Cultural
References and Insights:
If you're not originally or currently a part of the
Japanese culture, than the many aspects of it that you
will see in anime are definitely more intriguing. While
they are usually presented quite subtly and as a part
of the "normal" practice of things, someone
watching a certain anime series may still pick up these
cultural references and may or may not understand them.
Some of these include why a person holds their hands
in prayer briefly after eating a meal, why people take
off their footwear before entering a house, and why
a class misbehavior punishment involves holding buckets
of water outside a classroom. While it's not necessary
to completely understand all these little insights,
it does help to know that they're there, as well as
why they are done in the first place. Anime is also
a good reflection of the Japanese culture in general
and what is tolerated or not tolerated. For example,
the Japanese are a little more free with the idea of
nudity, and some anime have no problem showing a female
character's breasts or chest. This isn't so say that
this is part of all anime, but nevertheless it's there.
 Exaggerated
Expressions/Hand Movements:
The large-eyed characters and designs that are typical
in many anime are a big help when it comes to conveying
emotion or action. In general, these are also further
exaggerated in extreme situations (such as an anime
character gettng beaten up) in order to give the audience
a concrete idea of what the characters are feeling.
Anime with comedic elements, such as "Rurouni Kenshin"
on the right, use the exaggeration a bit more frequently
than other types of anime might. An anime character
may scratch their head when embarrassed, make a "V
for Victory" sign with their fingers, or generate
a large "sweat drop" on their heads when they
are confused or exasperated. These are all a part of
anime and what it has to offer to its audience - characters
with lively animation and extreme expression that entertains
and delights.
Well,
if you've gone through all the lessons so far, you know
the drawing style. You know what to expect in anime.
Still interested? Now we're going to show you who the
major players are in the anime company world and how
to pick up some anime from them.
>>Go
to Lesson 4 - Getting Anime: The Companies
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