If you’ve scrolled through your Instagram feed recently, it’s likely that you've come across at least one reel or post using Japanese anime-inspired audios like “Nyah! Arigato” in the background. If you’ve scrolled through Netflix recently, you’ve probably seen titles like One Punch Man and Your Name.
In the most fundamental language, anime refers to animation. It is a word used by the people living outside Japan to describe cartoons or anime produced within Japan. You might have also come across the term ‘weeb’ which is used for a person who is obsessed with Japanese Culture, especially anime.
How has the viewership of anime increased during the pandemic across the globe?
Netflix says that over 100 million households around the world streamed at least one of its anime titles in 2020, 50% more than the year before. Netflix now has 16 projects in the works from its Tokyo-based team as the pandemic lifts the demand for the same. The reason being that both novice and experienced viewers can find something to enjoy as new episodes continue to release across a variety of shows. Anime’s rise in popularity over the last few years and especially during the pandemic is apparent in an increase of streaming sites, merchandise, conventions and more.
How much does the Japanese Industry earn from these classic animations?
Solely based on statistics and facts, the anime industry made 2.1814 trillion yen ($10.939 billion) in 2019 and is only predicted to grow further. Also According to the Japanese Animation Creators Association, an animator in Japan earns on average ¥1.1 million ($10,000) per year in their 20s, ¥2.1 million (~$19,000) in their 30s and a sum enough to feed them but still meagre ¥3.5 million (~$31,000) in their 40s and 50s.
How the Japanese has made anime evolve from time to time?
Anime may seem like a modern invention, but it actually has a history stretching back to more than 100 years to the early part of the 20th century. The first anime — a short titled Namakura Gatana (The Dull Sword) made by artist Jun'ichi Kōuchi — went into production in 1917 during the era of silent film. The artist created it using experimental cut-out animation techniques.
Soon other artists followed suit. Animated short films from France and the USA inspired many of the early Japanese works. While they were generally considered to be quite well done, they were expensive and time-consuming to make.
It’s effects on people both - negatively and positively.
Pros: Original concepts, their own styles of animation, go for twenty minutes and then flows into hundred’s of episodes. Some of them can rival mainstream TV shows in my opinion. The designs and artwork put into every background and scene. Action and fighting scenes can be so epic sometimes!
Cons: They come out mostly in Japan. You have to watch it in English subtitles or wait for an English dub. Some of the humor and themes are not for everyone. Anime sometimes has random episodes nothing to do with the show and it shows flashbacks very frequently. It can be very time consuming and addictive.
Authored By: Nitya Verma
Edited By: Anshita Yadav