One of the questions I heard a lot about anime is ‘is anime a genre or a medium?’, so I researched to find the answers. Then I decided to write this article to share it with you.
Anime is a medium and not a genre. The only two things common in all anime are that they are all animated and come from Japan. On the other hand, anime comprise a lot of genres: 5 main genres, and 23 genres.
In the United States, anime has become one of the most popular forms of entertainment. There are many different types of anime, such as action, comedy, horror, romance, science fiction, sports, and fantasy. Some people think that anime is a form of art, while others believe that it is a genre.
In the rest of this article, you will discover the main differences between a medium and a genre, why anime must be a medium, and why anime is a good medium.
Differences Between Mediums and Genres
Genre and medium should not be confused, although they are often used interchangeably. Genre refers to the type of work being created, such as fiction, action, or mystery. Medium refers to how the work is presented, whether it is a TV show or an anime
Genre and medium are related because they describe what audience the author is trying to reach and how he will reach them. For example, if someone is creating an anime about a detective who tries to solve a big TK, then he will target the mystery genre. And another creator who wants to make a movie about the same detective will also target the mystery genre.
Examples of mediums:
- Newspapers
- Television
- Magazines
- Radio
- Podcast
- YouTube
- Movies
- Comics
- Manga
Example of genres:
- Sci-Fi
- Action
- Sports
- Romantic
- Adventure
- Horror
Why Anime Is A Good Medium?
1. Animation
Animation has been around longer than most people realize. It started back around the turn of the century and was originally created as a hobbyist artform. Nowadays, anime has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry due to its popularity among the youth. And because of this, many people have begun appreciating animation's aesthetics and the unique storytelling potential within each film.
2. Emotions
In most cases, an animation series on a screen can sell you better emotions than real tv series and movies. And there is a reason for it. Anime can express feelings and emotions that regular humans can’t express; because otherwise, it will seem awkward. It would be awkward for a human to scream at the top of his lungs about something they are so passionate about it. For example, the case of Eren when he talks about being a Scout is a perfect emotion-full case. Now just imagine a TV series trying to imitate this. It will be a catastrophe.
3. Characters
Anime characters are often designed to appeal to the audience. Most characters possess distinct traits, personalities, and skills that make them memorable. Common characteristics include intelligence, wisdom, bravery, compassion, and determination. But what makes them great is the character development which is one of the keystones in the majority of anime.
Characters will almost always develop throughout the course of the series. Usually, this happens gradually and is based on the actions and decisions taken by the protagonists. By the end of the series, the characters may become completely different from how they were introduced in the beginning.
4. Storytelling
At the heart of every anime is a strong narrative. Many of them begin with a simple premise and slowly build upon that foundation throughout the show. Sometimes this is done via flashbacks or flash-forwards. Other times, the plot is revealed through the use of a flashback. Regardless of how it is presented, the story is what drives every single episode.
5. Genres
Genres refer to the type of content present in an anime. There are currently hundreds of genres and subgenres, ranging from horror to comedy. Every genre has specific requirements and restrictions.
For instance, the sci-fi genre is defined by its futuristic setting and technological advancements. However, sci-fi anime tends to favor characters who possess special abilities, advanced weaponry, and futuristic technology.
Similarly, fantasy anime focuses heavily on magic and mythological creatures. In addition, the sci-fi and fantasy genres have a tendency to contain higher amounts of violence and gore compared to other genres.
We will talk about anime genres in the next article.
Related Question
What is the most popular genre of anime?
The shonen genre of anime is by far the most common brand of anime and the vast majority of breakout hits and successful series like Dragon Ball Z, Bleach, Naruto, and One Punch Man all fall under the shonen banner.
Is animation a genre?
Animation is a medium, not a genre or a specific interest for kids, nor is it just for families
Conclusion
In conclusion, anime is a medium. There are many different kinds of anime. Some are action, others are comedy, some are romance, etc. But it’s important to remember that anime doesn’t really have any boundaries. You could watch an anime about aliens, zombies, or even superheroes!