The manga artist Osamu Tezuka is considered an innovator for both mediums. His post-World War II manga output led to the rise in manga's popularity, while his work in founding Mushi Productions helped popularize animated adaptations of his material.
Both manga and anime tend to have similar art styles, most notably characters drawn with large eyes. This tradition stems from Tezuka himself, who was influenced by the character designs of Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse cartoons.
While manga experienced its boom early in Japan's postwar era, anime's biggest rise in popularity came with the rise of the home video market in the 1980s. That gave anime fans a product to buy and led to the creation of a distinct market for direct-to-video animated productions.
The relationship between manga and anime is best seen in the adaptation of manga to the screen. Popular manga titles like "Dragon Ball" and "Ranma ½" became animated series that earned popularity in Japan and abroad. In cinema, the influential "Akira," based on Katsuhiro Otomo's manga, became an international hit in the late 1980s.
Genres in manga and anime not only encompass science fiction, action, comedy, fantasy and the like, but they also cater to different genders and ages. Shojo, for example, appeals to girls while shonen and seinen appeal to boys and young boys, respectively.