What Is Japanimation? Japanese Anime, Manga & History
Japanimation is a term used especially in French for Japanese animation, more widely known internationally as anime. It encompasses animated television series and films created in Japan, across many genres and for audiences of different ages.
What is the difference between anime, manga and japanimation?
Anime refers to animation associated with Japan. Japanimation is another term for it, particularly in French. Manga, by contrast, means Japanese comics and graphic storytelling. Many anime series adapt manga, while others are created as original animated works.
A brief history of Japanese animation
Japanese animation developed from early short films in the twentieth century into a major form of television and cinema. Astro Boy, first broadcast in 1963 and associated with Osamu Tezuka, helped establish the modern television anime industry.
Over the following decades, internationally recognised works such as Dragon Ball, Akira, My Neighbor Totoro, Naruto and One Piece introduced different generations of viewers to Japanese storytelling and animation.
Which genres can you find in anime?
Anime includes action and adventure, science fiction, fantasy, romance, comedy, sport and slice-of-life stories. Terms such as shōnen, shōjo, seinen and josei primarily describe traditional manga readership categories, not storytelling genres. A series may combine several genres regardless of its original audience category.
From anime to figures and trading cards
Japanese animated characters and worlds also appear in collectible figures, card games and licensed items. Explore the anime figure collection at Otak’Corner and browse the Dragon Ball, Naruto and One Piece ranges. Selection and availability vary by item.
Key takeaways
For collectors interested in the original manga artwork and printed pages behind these universes, explore our First Print manga page selection. Fans of Naruto card games can browse Naruto Mythos TCG single cards, with product language and availability specified on each listing.
Japanimation and anime both refer to Japanese animation; manga refers to Japanese comics. Neither term identifies a single age group or genre. Choosing an anime is easier when you consider its story, themes and style rather than only its demographic label.