FAQ’s about Anime
Here are some Q's & A's about Anime. Below it are some links if you'd like some more information. You can even get literally thousands of pages by just typing 'Anime' into a search engine.
Where does the word ‘Anime’ come from anyway?
It's the Japanese word for 'animation'. The Japanese language contains lots of borrowed English words and phrases like this. For example, 'pro wrestling' is puroresu, pronounced as 'pro wres'. Anime is pronounced 'ah-nee-may' although there are many variations of the second syllable.
What's with the big eyes?
Japanese artists were heavily influenced by early Walt Disney animated films like Snow White and Bambi in the 1930s. The legendary manga/anime creator Osamu Tezuka in particular picked up on the cartoonish, big-eyed Disney style, and Tezuka's work set the standard for generations of Japanese artists.
Eww, why are anime characters always sweating?
No, it's not especially hot in Japan, if that's what you're thinking. During uncomfortable moments or awkward silences, or when a character is just plain embarrassed, you'll often see a cartoonish 'sweat drop' appear on his head. Since the Japanese are often too polite to say what they're really thinking, that drop of sweat shows us their discomfort.
Why's there so much nudity?
Quite simply, nudity isn't that big a deal in Japan. It's merely a cultural difference. You might have noticed the same thing if you've visited Europe and watched TV. In America, naked bodies are naughty and kept hidden away, but in other parts of the world that is just not so.
Why's there a bubble in that guy's nose?
Get a tissue, because it's actually an unflattering mucous bubble. It's used to show that a character is sleeping, and well, we guess the character has a stuffy nose or something. Don't dwell on how disgusting that is, just remember that when you see it, the snotty person is sleeping or snoring.
Is that the ‘peace’ sign?
You'll often see anime characters flashing the ‘peace’ or ‘V for victory’ sign with their first two fingers, but that's really not what they're doing. The gesture is one of accomplishment, more “I made it!” or “I did it!” than ‘victory.’ Often this gesture is used when posing for photographs.
What's the difference between 'dubbed' and 'subtitled'?
‘Dubbed’ Anime replaces the original Japanese dialogue with English-speaking actors. ‘Subtitled’ leaves the Japanese voices, but translates them into English text at the bottom of the screen. Anime ‘purists’ hate dubbing, but lots of anime fans prefer the dubs because reading all that text is too much damn work, these days its all a matter of personal taste. That is not to say a fan of ‘dubbed’ Anime will not watch ‘subtitles’ or vice versa.
Okay, but why do dubbed characters talk so weird?
In crappier English dubs, voice actors will simply cram dialogue over the moving character's mouth, so you get a lot of:
"HeySpeedlet'sgocatchracerXandteachhimalessonhe'llneverforgetright?"
There's good dubbing and bad dubbing. In general Anime companies in North America are getting better, but there are a few moments here and there where the quality drops.
Why do Japanese students wear sailor suits?
That's a common school uniform for girls in Japan, and has been for several decades. They're patterned after what school kids wore in 19th century Prussia, where Japan learned modern education techniques.
What's an OVA/OAV?
Original Video Animation (or Original Animation Videos) means exactly that; Anime that is neither broadcast on TV nor released to movie theatres before distribution as DVDs. Similar to our ‘direct to video’ here. Anime series often fortify their TV runs with OVAs, which may or may not fit into the TV continuity.
What is an ONA?
Original Net Animation refers to Anime that is to be released directly onto the Internet, either through pay-per view services or for free. Sometimes an ONA will not appear in the North American market either because it is too short or the service that it resides on will only allow registration from Japan.
Why is Blood Type important?
References to characters' blood types are very common in anime. In Japan, inquiring about someone's blood type is the equivalent of "What's your sign?" in America. Different personality traits and characteristics are supposedly dictated by blood type in Japan, just like astrological signs are here in North America.
Links about Anime
Here are a few sites that talk about Anime that came from typing ‘Anime’ in a search engine:
Wikipedia entry on Anime
Robert’s Anime Corner ‘What is Anime?’, written by Elaine Barlow
‘What is Anime?’ by Caroline Seawright
The Anime Powerhouse
Understanding Anime -a Flash movie
The Anime Primer
