Anime, also known as Japanimation, refers to hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. The term "anime" is derived from the English word "animation," and within Japan, it broadly encompasses all forms of animated media. In contrast, outside Japan, "anime" is specifically used to describe animation produced in Japan or animation with a distinctive Japanese style, often characterized by vivid visuals, expressive characters, and fantastical themes. This cultural nuance allows for the possibility that anime produced outside Japan could also be considered anime if it emulates these stylistic elements. The history of Japanese animation dates back to 1917 with some of the earliest commercial works. A defining art style emerged in the 1960s, largely influenced by Osamu Tezuka’s iconic creations, and gained widespread popularity both domestically and internationally throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Anime is distributed through a variety of channels, including theatrical releases, television broadcasts, home video, and online streaming platforms. Many anime are original works, but a significant portion are adaptations of other media such as manga (Japanese comics), light novels, or video games. Over the decades, production techniques have evolved alongside technological advancements. As a multimedia art form, anime combines graphic art, storytelling, cinematography, and other creative methods. It often emphasizes detailed background settings and the use of camera effects—like panning, zooming, and dynamic angles—rather than solely focusing on the animation of character movements. Artistic styles can vary widely, with character designs ranging from exaggerated features, such as large emotive eyes, to more realistic proportions. Anime covers a broad spectrum of genres aimed at diverse audiences, from mainstream viewers to niche communities. Additionally, within the United States, terms like "wapanese" have emerged to describe White individuals who are enthusiastic about Japanese culture, particularly anime, although this term is often considered pejorative. Later, the term "weeaboo" gained popularity to describe fans exhibiting a strong fascination with Japanese anime and culture, sometimes to the point of cultural appropriation or obsession.
Another word that has arisen describing fans in the United States is wapanese meaning White individuals who desire to be Japanese or later known as weeaboo for individuals who demonstrate a strong interest in Japanese anime subculture which is a term t
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