A cool Top 10 anime influenced animations. Below, I’ll build on what this video has to say about each of these shows, and relate them to some of the concepts I explore in my paper!
10. Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005)
A good example of soft-amerime, as the video explains, we can see the anime influence less from the art direction (the look and design of the show) and more in how the scenes are composed (how he described action sequences). Referencing anime via shot composure (direction) is commonly how we can link most soft-amerime to anime at all.
9. Jackie Chan Adventures (2000-2005)
As the video mentioned, the way the action is portrayed and time is what causes it to seem anime-like. This show would be an example of soft-amerime, due to again, it’s somewhat American-comic look but with the animation and direction of an anime.
8. Kim Possible (2002-2007)
Another example of soft-amerime, Kim possible shows it’s anime influence more in theme and action direction. As with the previous two, the dramatic action direction gives the show an anime flavor, while themes found from anime, such as the powerful school girl discussed in the video, gives another wink to anime. Similar to how Chinese martial arts movies pushed Hollywood to diversify action and include action franchises that had female protagonists, we can see a similar effect here.
7. Over the Garden Wall (2014)
As the video describes, we can see how OTGW has those soft-amerime influences in atmosphere and creatures. The influence on the sometimes creepy nature of the show reflects how anime and manga can be disturbing. Some may recognize that kind of creepiness from some of the readings from our class which explored how anime has grown to explore sometimes unsettling ideas and imagery.
6. Batman: the Animated Series (1992-1995)
Again, another soft-amerime, with more influence found in the direction and dark theming. I also liked how in this video, they addressed that 1) Around this time, DC and other comic brands began to take some design and direction elements from anime, creating the sometimes blurred destinguishment between some American comic-looks and stuff that looks like anime. 2) Acknowledges that before this show, many animated shows in the West did not have much dramatic direction (angled camera views vs. looking like a sitcom), which nods to the dramatic direction known throughout anime.
5. Samurai Jack (2001-2004)
This soft-amerime nods to anime through theme, pacing, and direction. From friends that I have talked to, when re-watching Samurai Jack some have noted that in ways it seems a bit...slow-paced. However, such shows with dramatic, cinematic, and slow pacing are not uncommon throughout anime like Cowboy Bebop. And of course on top of that, the cultural influence of Japan can make clear reference to anime.
4. The Legend of Korra (2012-2014)
As the video mentioned, TLoK references anime in many if not all the same way AtLA did. The first on this list that I’ll say is an example of classic-amerime, this show now only looks similar to anime in character design and illustrative backgrounds, but also treats action very similarly to the cinematic action found in anime.
3. The Boondocks (2005-2014)
As the video mentions, Boondocks makes some clear connections to the anime Samurai Champloo, as both of them mix elements of hip-hop, anime, and martial arts. Boondocks also in look resembles a stylized classic-amerime, as the characters and line weight used in the show are designed very similarly to anime.
2. Teen Titans (2003-2006)
This show straddles, in my opinion, between classic-amerime and soft-amerime as the art style is potentially a little closer to American animation designs, but the direction itself and the visual gags are so similar to anime, it is hard to tell. Regardless, the anime influence is there.
1. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
There is no way one could talk about American Anime without pointing to this show. It is also a classic if not the strongest example of classic-amerime where the look and designs and of course nods to Asian theming point to anime, and was perhaps one of the first to so blatantly look at anime. As previously mentioned with Korra, it is also common knowledge that the creators are unashamed huge anime fans that made many visual, story, and joke references to anime.