Influence of Japanese prints on 19th century Western design

Anime

Anime is an abbreviation for the word “animation” and is most commonly used to refer to all animation from Japan. Anime use to be solely Japanese, a distinct look was given to Japanese storytelling, themes and concepts. In recent years it has become an international phenomenon being translated into many languages.

The styles that anime can be produced in range from outlandish to flamboyant to direct and simple, anime gives everything an new look. It has been used to illustrate epic tales which consist of hundreds of episodes to simple illustrations.

Japan’s culture, history and language can be seen in anime on many levels. Some depict Japanese stories and have found inspiration in the ancient arts from the country and tinges of Japanese sensibility can be found in anime work.

Manga

Manga is the Japanese word for comics and is used in English for referring to all comic books and graphic-novels which originated in Japan. It is considered a artistic storytelling style but can be found in magazines and other media.

Each manga artists has their own style but there are a few key distinct features that distinguish manga form other artistic forms of similar nature. Illustrations are typically done in pen and ink and except for a few highly realistic productions most characters have abnormally large almond shaped eyes and out-of-proportion body parts.  Emotions are depicted clearly and multiple methods are used to depict certain emotions.

Otaku

Oatuka is a term derived from the Japanese term for another person house or family which is used to refer to people with obsessive interests in anime, manga, video games and technology in general.

Kawaii

Kawaii literally translated from the Japanese noun means: loveable, cute or adorable. It is mainly used to describe the amount of cuteness in context to Japanese culture. It has become prominent in all aspects of modern Japanese culture including entertainment, clothing as well as appearance and behavior.

Resources 

Yegulalp, S., 2012, What is Anime? [online] Available at: <http://anime.about.com/od/animeprimer/a/What-Is-Anime.htm> [Accessed 5 June 2012]

WiseGEEK, 2003-2012, What is Manga? [online] Available at:<http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-manga.htm> [Accessed 5 June 2012]

Wikipedia, 2012, Otaku. [online] Available at:<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otaku> [Accessed 5 June 2012]

Wikipedia, 2012, Kawaii [online] Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaii> [Accessed 5 June 2012]

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[Chobits manga] n.d. [online image] Available at: <http://10360.com/Fun-things/Manga-animation/Japan-Chobits-manga--animation--Let-Me-Be-With-You.html> [Accessed 5 June 2012]

[Manga Mermaid], n.d. [online image] Available at: <http://www.drawmanga.org.uk> [Accessed 5 June 2012]

AFP, 2007, Coffee shop “maids” sprinkle water during a promotion in Tokyo’s “otaku heaven,” [online image] Available at: <http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/japanese-nerd-fantasies-may-turn-to-geek-tragedies/2007/06/15/118141454685.html> [Accessed 5 June 2012]

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[Tenshi Neko wallpaper] n.d. [online image] Available at: <http://blog.modes4u.com/community/kawaii-wallpaper-collection.html> [Accessed 5 June 2012]

[Kawaii Dolls], n.d. [online image] Available at: <http://www.chocolatepixels.com> [Accessed 5 June 2012]

[Kawaii girls], 2011, [online image] Available at: <http://blog.rekuru.com/2011/03/07.britain-swamped-by-japanese-kawaii-culture/> [Accessed 5June 2012]