Japan has been producing humorous artistic drawings of people and animals for hundreds of years. These images bear distinct resemblances to modern manga drawings and anime films and have been influenced by the work of Max Fleisscher, Walt Disney and Chinese art forms.
Anime films are closely linked with the manga drawing style and are characterized by simple lines and highly stylized characters who frequently have large eyes and elaborate, spiky hairstyles. These characteristics are the most recognizable traits of anime films, but there are significant variations from this template. L. Matsumoto, for instance, renders characters that appear squashed and ugly while Miyazaki draws figures with soft edges.
Although its roots lie in Japan, anime films are also made in other countries across Asia. In contrast to countries such as the U.S., manga and anime comics and cartoons are produced for adults as well as children. Many adult anime films deal with themes such as rape and death, so parents should choose titles with caution.
Anime films, even those aimed at children, differ from many Western cartoons by dealing with everyday themes, such as working life. Anime films portray a strong work ethic, with students depicted working in classrooms, completing homework or workers fulfilling duties in offices. The advancement of technology and the improvements it can offer to societies are also recurrent themes in manga and anime productions. Anime films often portray a tantalizing mix of harsh, grinding reality with a fantastical other life. A protagonist may be struggling to keep up with his schoolwork and chores at home but have a secret friend, who could be a robot from the future or alien from another planet. This appeals to audiences because it empathizes with the drudgery of daily life while offering a pleasant escape from it.
Character development plays an important role in anime films. Rather than being uncomplicated superheroes, anime heroes often have character flaws and personal hopes and dreams that lie outside their conflicts with evil forces. In films such as Gundam, even evil figures have realistic motivations, rather than just being crazy or driven towards evil for no apparent reason.