What's Japanese in Japanese Animation?

What's Japanese in Japanese Animation? Feudal Japan is not the only section of Japanese history seen in anime. The style of woodblock prints and kabuki theater both impact the way anime is drawn. The animation techniques use less cells and create still, dramatic poses, as opposed to the constant movement of American cartoons (Levi 21). The animation in Record of Lodoss War shows the use of dramatic poses very well. During a ballroom scene, instead of wasting precious cells showing many people dancing, a still picture slides across the screen in order to give the watcher a sense of larger movement (Record of Lodoss War ep 4). Not only does the animation in anime reflect ancient Japanese customs, but the music and sound effects also come from Japan’s history. "Anime sound effects frequently make use of Noh or Kabuki traditions such as wooden clappers, drums, and stylized shouts to highlight dramatic moments and build suspense." (Levi 26).
With all of the Japanese references in anime, its popularity in America seems odd. Even when shows are censored or changed, the Japanese references in anime have a tendency to rear their unexplainable heads. Sometimes the Japanese elements of shows are simply left unexplained, and American viewers seem perfectly happy with their ignorance of these instances. Anime continues to be Japanese animation, whether American viewers realize it or not. Perhaps the otaku who have made anime such an important part of American pop culture today see the different views on sex, religion, and heroism as an eye opener. Just a few years ago, the popular situation comedy Ellen was taken off the air shortly after the leading actress, Ellen Degeneras, admitted she was gay. This action sends a negative message to teenagers who are attempting to deal with their sexuality. Anime, on the other hand, deals freely and openly with homosexual relationships. Perhaps American television producers can learn from their mistakes. A new show, Will and Grace has recently aired, which tells the story of two best friends living together, one of whom is gay; this show has become somewhat of a success. This form of cultural difussion was inevitable. Maybe Americans can learn something from watching anime, if not about Japanese culture, then about themselves.

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