Anime has followed manga, Japanese comics, to success after the Second World War. In fact, many anime are based on successful manga series. Some studios reuse fairy tales and comic book story lines that have proven to be popular among the audience. Anime's popularity has overshadowed the live-action industry and in that sense has become Japan's film industry. Anime films typically have a stronger story line than the live-action films.
Animation is seen as a way to produce a sophisticated picture without the high costs.
Japanese writer Sato Kenji believes that the rejection of live-action films stems from the rejection of Japanese culture. He claims that the Japanese aspire to have Western traits that can be seen in anime and manga. People are unable to change their appearance aside from dying their hair or undergoing plastic surgery. Anime and manga are forms of entertainment that effectively combine Japanese and Caucasian characteristics. The rise of anime has brought it into the mainstream of Japanese cinema and eclipsed its live-action movie industry.