The Creativity And Uniqueness Of Anime

Contrary to popular belief, Anime isn’t the same as the mainstream cartoons we grew up watching. They’re Japanese Animations, mostly based on Manga series written and illustrated by different creators, like that of comic-books. But only because they’re animated doesn’t mean you should underestimate their relevance in any way.

Let me be honest with you, I was never interested in Anime. That is, until very recently when I started on the journey of discovering them through my amateur eyes. And once that happens, you’re hooked for good! So here I am writing a blog on a world that I was always aware of yet very recently got obsessed with. Forgive my rookie language in this entire read, but if you’re someone who’s considering getting involved in watching anime, this blog is my attempt to give you that little push! Although, if you haven’t watched the anime yet and plan to, I’d advise you to stay away from the clips (spoilers!).

Not Your Usual Cartoons

As I said before, anime isn’t the same as the cartoons we’ve always been exposed to. And not just because of the visuals. Perhaps the one thing that got me hooked to them was how accurately they explore adult themes in their plots, not just childish notions of fiction. So in a lot more ways than one, they’re for adults as much as they’re for children or even more, given some grim and serious plots I’ve come across during this journey.

Whether it’s Attack on Titan’s really depressing plot-points (to begin with, Mikasa’s backstory? Anyone?) or that one scene in Tokyo Ghoul where Hiname discovers her parents’ fate, or the Elric brothers realizing what Shou Tucker did (I mean, why?!), anime are full of unthinkable tragedies that will leave your 25-year old self shocked with their audacity. With this observation in mind, do you really believe they’re just childish plots with nothing of interest to you? Then just discover them for yourself. And it’s not just about the tragedy of the plots, it’s the plot itself!

One of the best things about watching these shows is the discovery of a detailed storytelling narrative that even movies like Hunger Games have failed to display. Animes have given you plots that are so intricately planned with such twists that you remain at the edge of the seat, so anxious with curiosity that you can’t even afford to blink. Take Death Note as an example, because once you begin that journey with Light, L, and Ryuk, you don’t stop until they do! From detailed battles to downright wars, nail biting mysteries to headache-provoking cliffhangers, what’s there not to like? And if you’re an avid DC and Marvel fan like me, you will love the fight scenes, and you’ll love them more than any movie has ever interested you so far.

The Human Side of Complex Characters

When it comes to characters, anime has nailed the art of describing their complexity with such accuracy that even the most annoying or loathsome turn out to become a source of stimulating your empathic self. Take the example of Kisuke Urihara, or Juuzou Suzuya, or L (Ryuzaki), the complexity of such characters isn’t unknown to those who have grown familiar with their stories, yet the way their struggles are described is no less than an invigorating journey. The psychological impacts of their past, their ability to internalize the guidance provided by their mentors, and the overall mysterious vibe such characters give off; these aren’t things you will find in mainstream animations. Yet they certainly become an interesting and thought-provoking part of a much bigger plot.

Whether you’re watching the moral dilemmas faced by Ken Kaneki at the beginning of his journey, the intimidatingly mysterious air oozing off of Levi Ackerman, the twisted sense of justice that characters like Light Yagami and Kureo Mado possess, or the conflicted path that Suzaku Kururugi and Koutaro Amon face before them, the stories told about every character through every plotline is so intense, that you can’t help but observe the psychological narrative they provide underneath. How people’s unconscious mind controls their behavior, how their tragic past influences this unconscious side, and how they either choose to become good or bad as a result.

This storytelling perspective is what makes these anime characters relatable and lovable (or hateable) for people who watch them. Attaining such an accurate relatability over mere animated characters isn’t something any comic-book or tv show writer can easily attain, yet anime does it so frequently that it’s no less than a unique feat all on its own.

Ghibli’s World of Fantasy

Studio Ghibli is to Japanimation what Disney is to Hollywood. Although the studio has been owned by Disney for a long time, the animation giants don’t like to associate themselves with Ghibli’s realistic storytelling plots. Disney is the official distributor of Studio Ghibli’s movies, but that’s where they limit their association. Why? Read below.

Although they explore a familiar imaginary world full of witches, magic, and fantastical creatures, Studio Ghibli takes fantasy to another level by bringing in humanistic, life-like stories to the screen that most of us can relate to. Much like manga, they’re not limited to an imaginary, child-like world, but rather get immersed in discovering real-life dilemmas and developments that anyone watching them could learn from. The Founders Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Yasuyoshi Tokuma, and Toshio Suzuki didn’t form just an animation studio, they did so with the goal of focusing on the struggles that children and teenagers growing up would have to face.

The creators at Ghibli understand that life isn’t all rainbows and sunshine, hence that’s what they display through the movies they create. They don’t shy away from showing the tragic and twisted turns life could take, and they don’t obscure the importance of character development these tragedies can make one go through. When it comes down to their uniqueness, Studio Ghibli is a huge part of what makes Japanese animation so refreshing and novel to the eyes of viewers used to the happy endings Disney always showed us. You’re not promised a happy ending, but you are promised a worthy one! Movies like Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, and the critically acclaimed Spirited Away, don’t just show an imaginary world, but they do so with the objective of showing you relatable character growth.

A Look Into Japanese Culture

Another amazing part of these shows and movies is the way they depict the accuracy of Japanese culture. How the people stick together, how they celebrate, and even those detailed cooking ventures we’re shown that make us fall in love with the visuals we witness. It’s all a part of how anime impact our aesthetics and make us feel content.

The underlying theme in anime is not just the individual growth of a person, rather how they do it through the help and support of their families and friends. Ghibli shows the life of female characters who don’t need saviors, yet they give importance to the relationships they’re surrounded by. Shows like Tokyo Ghoul, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures, and a lot more, don’t just show an independent journey of the protagonist, rather how they’re surrounded by those who are ready to support them and overcome all adversities together. We witness that, even in the midst of tragedy and war, the characters find themselves laughing, joking, and enjoying together.

The Soundtracks Speak for Themselves!

Another reason for you to get interested in anime: enhancing your music playlist. From the opening themes to the background music to the closing credits, anime takes you to such an aesthetic music journey that you won’t be able to resist listening to them again and again.

My personal favorite would be Unravel from Tokyo Ghoul, but the Lullaby of Resembool, Attack on Titan, and Isabella’s Lullaby from The Promised Neverland, all hold great importance in the hearts of fans. May it be Symphonie, Call of Silence, Kimi No Na Wa, or just Low of Solipsism playing in the background as Light goes on his death note frenzy, the tracks fit so perfectly, and demand your attention so forcefully that you have no choice but to feel the emotion they’re stimulating you to.

In conclusion, all I have to say is, you won’t find such a gripping, twisted, and at times wholesome look at stories or even reality through any animation the way Japanimations will show you. The plots are detailed, the stories full of tragedies, accomplishments, and humor alike, the themes psychologically intriguing. A common recurring theme: the use of supernatural and magical powers, and the very real and negative consequences once they get out of control. And the way capitalism and the society’s evils become the antagonist in more ways than one; keeping all of this in mind, how can you not get hooked to the plots? In anime, there isn’t much that gets left off the table. The uniqueness and the creativity, from illustrations to the dark and twisted stories, to the depth of the characters, display themselves in all their glory. And you need to discover it on your own to know what the hype is really about!