The History of Anime & Japan

Anime or Japanese Animation (アニメ) is perhaps one of the most influential forms of media in the modern world. It has a history spaning over a century and is intrinsically linked to the development of Japan. From the end of the Tokugawa era, through their rapid modernization and beyond WW2. While the medium is extremely popular internationally, there is shockingly little work covering the early development of Japanese animation. Before modern hits, before Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy, this is the history of Anime.

The anime included in this video range from 1907 Katsudou Shashin, 1918's urashima taro, Mabo's Big Race, Norakuro, Kintaro and Momotaros Sea Eagles and Divine Sea Warriors. As well as talks about famous anime directors such as Mitsuyo Seo, animator Junichi Kouchi and the renowned Noburō Ōfuji. Tracing Japnese animation devlopment from its roots in woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) from artists such as katsushika hokusai all the way to black and white Japnese paper cut animation and cell and colour animation. Japanese cartoons have an evolution history of more than century.

Companion Video: "The Birth of Anime" https://youtu.be/QSVlBs8lJoE

If you'd like to support me and help get these videos made:
https://www.patreon.com/wookong

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Other WooKong videos:

The History of South Korean Animation
https://youtu.be/uQDFI30strY

The History of Chinese Animation
https://youtu.be/F-g9lRT-gpA​


Why Journey to the West is so Popular
https://youtu.be/wTzIK9z1ZYM

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Some Extra Resources:

Recasting Red Culture in Proletarian Japan Childhood, Korea, and the Historical Avant-Garde

Nippon Modern Japanese Cinema of the 1920s and 1930s

Japanese Cinema Between Frames

Japanese Political History Since the Meiji Restoration, 1868 - 2000

Animation in Asia and the Pacific:
https://www.amazon.com/Animati....on-Asia-Pacific-John

Anime: A History
https://www.amazon.com.au/Anim....e-History-Jonathan-C

Animation: A World History:
https://www.researchgate.net/p....ublication/306480778


#Anime #History #Japan
All clips and images in this video are used for educational and entertainment purposes and are protected under the fair use policy


Introduction: (0:00​)
i - Background Images: (0:59​)
ii - Animated Beginnings: (07:02​)
iii - State of the Art: (12:40)
iv - Forced Perspectives: (18:34)
v - The Art of War: (27:24)