What is Anime?

Anime is a recent genre of moving image that evolved from the drawing style of manga. Mostly popular with young teens, anime has expanded to appeal to older teens and adults, making it a new phenomenon.

It has only been in the last twenty years that anime has really taken off in the West. Japan produces anime that appeals to Japanese audiences; this is evident from the plots surrounding the animes, such as feudal Japan, Japanese schooling etc. These plots can be seen the animes InuYasha and Love Hina.

However, Japanese anime has its own distinguishing features, which makes it instantly recognisable.

Anime drawings have certain features that distinguish them from other animation genres. One of the most obvious features is the big, child-like eyes. The eyes are used to portray personality and emotions in the anime genre, and add a sense of innocence to the characters, especially young teenage girls.

Another recognisable feature in anime drawing is the facial expressions. Referring back to what I said about anime characters looking innocent because of their eyes, facial expressions help make situations humorous, which is why many anime programmes or films are associated with the comedy genre. Such examples of humorous facial expressions are, 'sweatdrop', 'wide-eyed'

The rise of ‘Pokémon’ and ‘Digimon’ was the beginning of animes popularity, but only targeted children and young teens. This was in competition with other animations made by Disney, who also make animations that appeal to children.

Japanese institutions started to target older audiences, and released animes like Love Hina, Azumanga Daioh and Chobits, which portray older teen situations and use adult puns. The animes became successful and became popular in the USA and UK (usually only on satellite channels).

Also, Japanese institutions decided to push the boundaries on animation, and so they started to produce hentai. Hentai is the anime form of pornography; such examples are La Blue Girl, which focuses largely on tentacle rape. However, hentai isn't as taboo as pornography, because comical connotations, which makes it more socially acceptable amongst teen and adult couples.

If this Japanese creation continues to develop, we might start seeing anime taking over our television screens here in Britain; on terrestrial television.

Introduction: What do we look for in a film?

Just imagine you're entering a cinema: you buy your tickets; you buy your diet coke and salted popcorn; you sit down in the theatre; and you have no idea why you're there!

Now don't worry, you haven't been brainwashed to go! You just don't know why you go to the cinema to watch a film. Do you even know why you watch a film!?

It's understandable that you don't; you're only human. I'll explain why you love watching films so much, so just sit back, relax, and drink some coffee; you're gonna need it.

So let's start at the beginning. The most obvious aspect about watching films is that you're watching a story, not reading it. Yes, now we're in the 21st century, we humans are getting a little bored with the whole, "Buy a book and read it" arrangement, and would rather take up the whole, "Buy a ticket, a pair of glasses, some food and sit back and watch the screen" idea. It doesn't look easier, does it? You're spending far too much money for a start, unless you don't wear a pair of glasses. But that's okay; you'll just go blind instead.

And as for wasting time going to the cinema, sitting in the cinema and going back home, you might as well spend £6.99 for a book; you might get one half price!

Another wonderful thing about watching films is that you don't actually have to watch it. I'm contradicting myself, you say? Ha! You all know what I'm talking about; humans like watching films, because they can claim a mate at the same time. You’re all cavemen at heart!

Just think lads, if you will, that you're sat with a girl (or a boy if you're that way inclined) and you have a film on; do you just sit there and watch the film, or do you ruffle a few feathers? Exactly.

At least you don't have to pay to join a dating site now.

We also seem to love happy endings. Most people seem to like at least one Disney film, because they all live happily ever in surreal situations. I'd just like to point out that Bambi would have died in that forest fire, the hound would have eaten the fox and Cinderella wouldn't have needed to have a Fairy Godmother, because she would have just needed to call childline; I'm sure it's free, so she had no excuse.

And finally (What do you mean 'Thank God’?), we all love films, because it keeps the kids happy. I don't think there is a child in the world who doesn't love a film, apart from kids who haven't seen one (poor things). I'm sure mummies everywhere will agree with me; buy the kid a new film and you'll forgot all about them (rotten parents!). Again, Disney films seem to be personal favourites; no wonder children have no idea about the real world.

And thus, concludes my analysis of 'what do we look for in a film'.