Anime vs Cartoon - Difference and Comparison | Diffen

Anime vs. Cartoon
Japanese anime is different from cartoons. While both are caricatures that may be animated, anime usually has visually distinct features for characters, and a more "limited animation" style for depicting movement.
Comparison chart
Anime (Japanese: アニメ?, [a.ni.me] are Japanese animated productions, and come in all formats, such as television series (such as Dragon Ball and Inuyasha, animated short films, and full-length feature films.)
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor.
Visual characteristics
Distinct facial expressions. Wide variation in physical characteristics. Physical features of characters are, on the whole, much more exaggerated and fantastical than cartoons. Larger eyes and smaller mouths make for a cuter style.
Characters usually have features that are much closer to reality, even though they're far from realistic. They also have much more human facial expressions.
Definition and Term
English dictionaries define the word as ‘Japanese style of motion picture animation’.
A cartoon was used as a model or study for a painting but is now associated with caricatures for humor and satire.
Topics / Themes
Anime concentrates mostly on life issues or things tied closer to human emotion and has more violent and sexual themes.
Cartoons are generally made to make people laugh and so are more comical.
Length
Anime tend to be to be 22-25 minutes in length per episode. Though full action anime movies most likely go far beyond that time.
Varying from 5 mins to an hour.
Origin
Anime originated from Japan.
Cartoons originated from the US.
Differences in Visual Characteristics
Anime illustrations are known to be exaggerated as far as physical features are concerned. Usually, one can differentiate anime from a cartoon by observing the physical traits of the characters. Anime characters include "large eyes, big hair and elongated limbs" and — in the case of manga (anime comics) — "dramatically shaped speech bubbles, speed lines and onomatopoeic, exclamatory typography."[1]
Cartoons, however, approximate reality a little more and carry traces of day-to-day life in them. Striking resemblances to humans can be spotted in various cartoons. However, cartoon characters are still caricatures, so they often diverge from reality (e.g., Marge Simpson's large, blue hair or Brian, the talking dog, on Family Guy).
Facial Expressions
Facial expressions for anime characters are often different in form than their counterparts in western animation. For example, Embarrassed or stressed characters produce a massive sweat-drop (which has become one of the most widely recognized motifs of conventional anime). Characters that are shocked or surprised perform a "face fault", in which they display an extremely exaggerated expression. Angry characters may exhibit a "vein" or "stress mark" effect, where lines representing bulging veins will appear on their forehead. Angry women will sometimes summon a mallet from nowhere and strike another character with it, mainly for comic relief. Male characters will develop a bloody nose around their female love interests, typically to indicate arousal. Characters who want to childishly taunt someone may pull an "akanbe" face by pulling an eyelid down with a finger to expose the red underside.
Anime vs Cartoon Animation Techniques
Anime and cartoons both use traditional animation production processes of storyboarding, voice acting, character design and cel production.
Anime is often considered a form of limited animation i.e. common parts are re-used between frames instead of drawing each frame. This fools the eye into thinking there is more movement than there is, and lowers production costs becase fewer frames need to be drawn.
Anime scenes place an emphasis on achieving three-dimensional views. Backgrounds depict the scenes' atmosphere. For example, anime often puts emphasis on changing seasons, as can be seen in numerous anime, such as Tenchi Muyo!.
Anime vs. Cartoon Videos
In the video below, an anime fan discusses the similarities and differences between cartoons and anime.
Subject Matter
Cartoons are usually intended to induce laughter; thus revolve around humorous concepts. There are some cartoons in the market that are educational in nature whilst retaining their amusing qualities that are generally targeted towards toddlers and kids.
Anime movies don't always follow a general concept. Their stories can range from pirate attacks to humorous adventures to tales of samurai. The majority of anime movies and shows differentiate themselves from their American counterparts by creating a plot that stays in place through out the entire series, showing viewers morals and a certain level of complexity. In short, Anime is aimed at people with longer attention spans who like to see a plot unravel over multiple episodes.
Examples
Death Note, Bleach and One Piece are examples of famous anime shows. Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny and Superman are examples of cartoons.
History
The first cartoon is said to have been produced in 1499. It depicted the pope, the holy roman emperor and the kings of France and England playing a game of cards. Since then, many humorists and satirists have been known to produce cartoon strips for the general audience. Even today, one can find archives of old cartoon strips and newly published cartoon on the web.
Anime has a very recent history as compared to a cartoon. In 1937 the United States of America was introduced to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs though the first anime (full length feature) to be released was Momotaro's Divine Sea Warriors’ in Japan in 1945. Since then, there has been no looking back and with each passing year, anime has become a profitable venture for many TV & film producers.
Terminology
While "anime" in Japan refers to all animated productions, English dictionaries define the word as Japanese style of motion picture animation. The word anime is said to have been derived from the French term dessin animé while others claim that it was used as an abbreviation during the late 1970s. The word "Japanimation" was also in vogue in the 70s and 80s and referred to anime produced in Japan.
Cartoon, on the other hand, was initially used as a model or study for a painting. Derived from the word "karton" meaning strong or heavy paper, these were depicted by great artists like Leonardo da Vinci and gained appreciation in their own right. Over the turn of the centuries, the term cartoon was distanced from its original meaning and used excessively to define a humor picture with a caption or a dialogue.
I think Anime is far better than cartoon (Honestly I watched both of them) but the storyline, graphics, and plot is a real difference between them. For the cartoon pros, I suggest to watch anime before arguing that anime is all about blood, gore, sex etc. Not all anime are made like that. Honestly, they are cartoons that have subliminal messages, try to check that :)
— 120.✗.✗.96
October 9, 2013, 2:30pm
I love cartoons because it teach me one thing important: Changing my mind, and after i change my mind, i choose to prefer anime instead.
— 36.✗.✗.35
November 20, 2012, 1:03am
I have to say I am a fan of both anime an western cartoons. Don't get me wrong I mean who dosen't like fun characters with tons of personality. However, I prefer anime because it tends to be more deep in meaning and is geared towards a more mature audience and as well as children.
— 98.✗.✗.175
October 2, 2013, 1:32am
Cartoons
Most cartoons have no plot and is just comedy and made for children. Its really hard to find a cartoon with a decent plot and animation. For example, Teen Titans, Young Justice, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra are all great cartoons but their needs to be more like them. A lot of cartoons are random and don't make much sense which is why even though we loved them as kids as we grow up we want a good plot.
Anime
Anime isn't as random as cartoons and have better graphics. Because it has better graphics and plot then a lot of cartoons people like them. Anime captures peoples attention more something cartoon is lacking in. Opening and Ending themes for anime are better than most cartoons and most anime have them if not all. Even awesome cartoons usually don't have a good op and end theme and since music naturally attracts people more people will watch anime. Oher thing anime does to catch attention is drawing style, outfits, music, and color.
Anime that doesn't have a good plot are still able to catch attention because of humor and the things I listed above. Its also way easier to find anime with a good plot and is easy to find online.
— 69.✗.✗.236
July 13, 2013, 5:19am
I may prefer animes, but there are some cartoons that are AWESOME like The Simpsons.
— 117.✗.✗.58
November 8, 2012, 5:15am
Weeaboos absolutely everywhere...
— 128.✗.✗.19
February 16, 2012, 5:58pm
There are some differences between anime and cartoons. I watched anime and cartoon, but I mostly prefer anime because it's more fun than cartoons.