934814391A journey through Japanese animation
Anime is the quintessential genre of animation of Japanese origin and this year marks 100 years. Thanks to this term, already recognized by all animation lovers, we distinguish a Japanese film from the rest.
To see the origin of anime as such, we must go back to 1910, when in Japan the word Senga Eiga (drawn line film) was used. In 1920, the concept would evolve and be called Manga Eiga (manga film). The period from 1900 to 1920 is understood as the origin of Japanese animation, and later it would be known as Doga (moving images). By 1960, the term that would coin Japanese animation would be Animeeshon, an abbreviation of the current anime.
Some names of the pioneers of animation in this country that we must not lose sight of are: Oten Shimokawa (1892-1973), Junichi Kouchi (1886-1970), and Seitaro Kitayama (1888-1945). If we review the first animes that saw the light and crossed borders, we must highlight "Mazinger Z" (1972), "Heidi" (1976), and "Marco" (1977). The first was created by the Japanese cartoonist and scriptwriter Gō Nagai, and the latter two are gems belonging to the school of Hayao Miyazaki, the undisputed guru of Japanese animation who founded the most important animation studio in the world: Studio Ghibli. But before delving into Master Miyazaki's work, we cannot overlook the figure of Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989), one of the pioneers of modern anime. The first known anime was created by him and is "Astro Boy" (1963). In fact, Osamu Tezuka is known as Manga no Kamisama, the God of Manga, and thanks to his works, the manga and anime industry was able to expand, creating a unique universe. Years later, the same would happen with "Akira" (1988), one of the most representative films, produced in 1988 by Katsuhiro Otomo.
From manga to anime
Most anime series are based on a manga. According to the "Freak Academy," a manga is "that comic for which we are going to spend our salary in the Tokyo Akihabara neighborhood or, failing that, in the Norma Cómics of Barcelona." For the rest of us mortals, a manga is "a comic that tells stories of Japanese origin with a very particular style and that begins to be read from the last page." In short: anime tells the stories of a manga with moving images.
From 2D to 3D
In classic Japanese animation, images lacked movement, different types of shots were used, camera movements, image angles... characters moved their lips very little, and expressiveness was most evident in the eyes and their size. We all remember the huge and emotional eyes of the beautiful Candy (animated series Candy Candy - 1984), sparkling on our screens.
The reason why manga and anime characters have large eyes and deviate from the physiognomic features of the Japanese has to do with the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japan sought to reach the world that it had not been able to see for a long time. It is therefore part of the goal to internationalize its culture. In addition to using Western features, illustrators have always sought maximum expression in the faces of their characters to excite the reader.
Hayao Miyazaki has had much to do with this internationalization of anime. The master of handcrafted animation has signed the best films in history. He is globally recognized, and his film "Spirited Away" (2002) was the first anime film to win the golden statuette in Hollywood. In addition, other directors from his school have presented unforgettable projects such as "Grave of the Fireflies" (1988), directed by Isao Takahata. The masterpiece of Miyazaki's partner portrays the devastation of World War II in the city of Kobe (Tokyo) and has established itself over the years as one of the most impactful animated films of all time.
From 2D, we would move to 3D, at a time when many Asian animators decided to take the leap and take advantage of new technologies, providing their animes with the perfection of computer-generated images (CGI). This leap can be seen in "Ghost in the Shell" (2002), considered the first film to add digital effects to handcrafted backgrounds. It was followed by "Blood: The Last Vampire" (2009), the first anime movie to be digitally manipulated as a cinematic effect. And following these initial exercises, "Captain Harlock, Space Pirate" (2013) would arrive, another of the most memorable works where CGI is the protagonist, effectively and commendably. Few animes manage to achieve visual beauty as this film does.
Currently, professionals in character animation and background and set creation advocate for the combined use of more artisanal animation and CGI. An example of the union of the two techniques would be the cinematic hit "Your Name" (2016), which broke box office records becoming the most-watched anime in Japan.
For all those who love anime and manga culture in general - and want to eat a delicious dorayaki - in Kyoto, the Manga Museum can be visited, an ode to anime and a huge library that houses a plethora of manga. In addition, on the occasion of the centenary, this museum presents a chronology of the origin of manga. A must-see for lovers of the culture and industry surrounding this world.