Poll: Is it inaccurate or offensive to call Anime "Cartoons"

[thePyro_13]

Short answer, no. Long answer no, but.

The term cartoon seems to imply that it's for children, as most people I've spoken too automatically link cartoons(and 2d animations in general) to children. Which is probably why some people get offended when anime is referred to as a cartoon, as the connotation can make them feel self-conscious about letting people know they enjoy it.

The only difference is cultural. In that anime targets a much more varied audience rather than always targeting children.

I'm more concerned about the people who say anime is a genre. :S

 

[Raven's Nest]

The words have the same meaning... but also don't.

The words used to describe the phenomenon is 'connotation' vs 'denotation.' Denotation is what a word technically means. For example: Father and daddy technically mean the same thing, a male parent.

'Connotation' however refers to implied meaning that extends beyond the technical meaning. Father and daddy have the same denotation, but the connotation between the two is completely different. 'Father' is more formal, and it is generally meant to indicate emotional coldness or neutrality. 'Daddy' is more informal, and extremely familiar. You would read psychological studies refering to someone's relationship with their father. You would not read those refering to someone's relationship with their daddy.

As well, when you call someone 'daddy' it has a totally different subtext than if you call them 'father.'


The words 'Cartoons' and 'Anime' have the same general principle. They both have the same denotation, however they have completely divergent connotations. Cartoons generally refers to children's programming, and anime refers to imported animation from japan, stripped of context with regard to target audience.

So, do they mean the same thing? Yes, by denotation. But do they mean the same thing? No, by connotation.

Quite correct.

But there is also the issue of temporal popularity. 100 years ago, Father would have been the most common way of referring to one's father.

I've heard some people say that only one man can be your father, but any man may earn the title of Dad.

Just as Daddy is only used by young kids and extortionists (and the odd fetishist), the phrase will soon be left behind as another word takes it's place. See also, Papa and Pops.

One way to prove that connotations are the most important factor in determining the context of a word is to look at this thread. Only people that obviously dislike Anime are being adamant in their insistence that anime is just cartoons...

Adding an unnecessary comment like "Only weaboo's would get offended by it" just proves the point further. It's the equivalent of calling a person "gay" as an insult, who just so happens to be a homosexual.

Anime haters are saying "anime is cartoons".

Anime fans are saying "Yeah, and?", "Oh i'm sorry was I supposed to be offended that you have defined a word for me, or were you just saying it to try and belittle it?".

Anime hater: "Shut up weaboo"

Anime fan: "Yeah thought as much... Next?"

 

[Planetoid]

They're cartoons if you define "cartoons" as "2D animation." "Anime" in the West implies it's of Japanese origin; it's very hard to pin down any other defining trait that applies to all Japanese animation.

The "childish" connotation of "cartoon" is probably what upsets some people.

 

[Volkov]

No, it is not offensive. Depending on the definition (yes, this is a 100% semantic argument), anime either means "animated films and TV shows made in Japan", or refers to a particular art style used in animated films and TV shows. The term "cartoon" is less specific; for a long time it had nothing to do with animation, but these days it includes all of the above and more.

Also even if one were to postulate that anime has a tendency to be deep and complex (plot-wise, artistically, or otherwise) - which is not a universally agreed upon statement - "cartoons" (as in, animated films) includes plenty of artistic works of great complexity while not anime. Some examples of true masterpieces (here I mean artistic value, not entertainment value) - Hedgehog in the Fog (in 2003 recognized as the #1 animated film of all time - in Tokyo, mind you), Beauty and the Beast, Snow Queen... all of those are cartoons just as much as anime, and it does vast majority of anime honor, not offense, to be associated with these.

 

[Flunk]

Anime is the Japanese word for animated television/movies. It's one of those fun japanese shortened English words. So yeah, anime are cartoons. Also anime is plural, you can't have animes.

I have no idea why anyone is arguing otherwise, anime = Japanese cartoons. Maybe my problem with this concept is that I speak Japanese and I'm used to thinking of the words as language equivalents.

 

[drisky]

They are cartoons, deal with it! I'm personally offended that they think the term cartoon "trivial, shallow, and simple" by comparison. There are plenty of meaningful cartoons (which is basically all animation and comics) all around the world, its not exclusive to Japan. Those guys are jerks.

 

[ZiggyE]

Anime aren't cartoons.

Cartoons are what you call those shows on Saturday mornings or 3pm on weekdays.

Anime is animation from Japan.

Different audiences, different demographics, and ultimately entire different countries.

People in this thread have been saying that Anime is a genre or a niche within cartoons. This isn't true. It'd be like saying a 3D animation within a game is a cartoon, when cartoon is mostly 2D. I believe that anime and cartoons are both genres or niches within animation.

So when people say that cartoons and animation are synonymous with each other, they are incorrect, as animation encompasses a broad range of things you would not consider to be cartoons, such as animation of sprites or 3D models within video games. It is the same with anime. Despite the fact they are both 2D forms of animation they are not one in the same and it is ignorant to group them together.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

You know, wouldn't it be nice if someone who was actually Japanese popped in and gave their opinion? Instead of everyone in the Western Hemisphere arguing about it, let someone who this might actually affect have their say.


Until that person speaks up, all this is is two groups arguing semantics, based off of cultural viewpoints.

 

[The Lunatic]

Nope. I do it myself.

I tend to regard those that do find it offensive as... Well... Let's just say "Stereotypical".

 

[Z(ombie)fan]

animated cartoon, noun
: a motion picture that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (as puppets) and that simulates movement by slight progressive changes in each frame
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animated+cartoon?show=0&t=1299435683

So in short, yes. Its just a different style of cartoon than say, spongebob or the simpsons

So you're saying the orginal Star Wars is a cartoon?

how the Hell does his definition warrant THAT nonsensical responce?

 

[Laurie Barnes]

First of all, backstory: I have a lot of friends who watch anime, some of them get angry at me when I refer Naruto and Bleach as 'cartoons' and say that I do this just because I personally dislike them. I'm told the phrase 'cartoon' is offensive because it "trivialises the depth and complexity of anime". I disagree.

Cartoons have brought us classics such as Rocco's modern life, Spongebob squarepants, Ed Edd 'n' Eddy, Cow and Chicken and many more. If anything I would consider it a compliment to be compared to such a great medium of entertainment.

So I put it to the escapist community, is there anything wrong with calling anime "cartoons"?

The only thing you have listed that I don't consider insulting to the medium is "Rocco's modern life." I hate the other ones, especially Cow and Chicken and Spongebob. Ugh Gross.

 

[ZiggyE]

animated cartoon, noun
: a motion picture that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (as puppets) and that simulates movement by slight progressive changes in each frame
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animated+cartoon?show=0&t=1299435683

So in short, yes. Its just a different style of cartoon than say, spongebob or the simpsons

So you're saying the orginal Star Wars is a cartoon?

how the Hell does his definition warrant THAT nonsensical responce?

Star Wars is made up of a lot of animation. You know those green screens the actors stand infront of? Hell, even the lightsabers themselves. Infact, a lot of the content in Star Wars is animated. At least, I think that's what he is trying to get across.

If all animation is cartoons, then Star Wars is at least part cartoon.

 

[Crimsonshadow66]

Anyone pulling the whole "anime is deep and complex" thing is just idiotic beyond belief. If we are going to generalize all American cartoons as stupid and as complex as a piece of rock then why not go ahead and say all anime is just big breasted chicks, feminine looking guys and swords the size of the Empire State Building? Sure calling anime cartoons may be a bit ignorant but NOTHING more. Anime gives people looking to dissent upon it plenty of ammunition without the die hard anime fans adding to that list the fact that calling them cartoons "trivializes their depth and complexity". Unless the person saying it is being purposefully abrasive just shove off.

 

[Reincarnatedwolfgod]

anime is technically a cartoon but a Japanese cartoon. i guess the cultural differences make them slightly different from just a cartoon.
i don't call anime a cartoon and if some one else did i would not be offended in any way.

First of all, backstory: I have a lot of friends who watch anime, some of them get angry at me when I refer Naruto and Bleach as 'cartoons' and say that I do this just because I personally dislike them. I'm told the phrase 'cartoon' is offensive because it "trivialises the depth and complexity of anime". I disagree.

anime is has just as much potential to complex as a american cartoon. but is go's with out saying that naruto or bleach has very little depth or complexity. hell cowboy bebop seems to have more complexity then then those shows and i only seen 6 episodes so far.

in my option your friends have there heads to so up there ass to see that it's not even a insult.
this from some one who watches/reads bleach and is very aware it went way down Hill a long time ago. i also use to watch naruto until a crappy filler killed what little Patience for the show that i had left.

 

[DeadProxy]

An Anime IS A CARTOON. It is a Japanese cartoon. Pure and simple.

thats what i've always said. because thats what it is.

 

[DeadProxy]

animated cartoon, noun
: a motion picture that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (as puppets) and that simulates movement by slight progressive changes in each frame
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animated+cartoon?show=0&t=1299435683

So in short, yes. Its just a different style of cartoon than say, spongebob or the simpsons

So you're saying the orginal Star Wars is a cartoon?

how the Hell does his definition warrant THAT nonsensical responce?

Star Wars is made up of a lot of animation. You know those green screens the actors stand infront of? Hell, even the lightsabers themselves. Infact, a lot of the content in Star Wars is animated. At least, I think that's what he is trying to get across.

If all animation is cartoons, then Star Wars is at least part cartoon.

Special effects

 

[ZiggyE]

animated cartoon, noun
: a motion picture that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (as puppets) and that simulates movement by slight progressive changes in each frame
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animated+cartoon?show=0&t=1299435683

So in short, yes. Its just a different style of cartoon than say, spongebob or the simpsons

So you're saying the orginal Star Wars is a cartoon?

how the Hell does his definition warrant THAT nonsensical responce?

Star Wars is made up of a lot of animation. You know those green screens the actors stand infront of? Hell, even the lightsabers themselves. Infact, a lot of the content in Star Wars is animated. At least, I think that's what he is trying to get across.

If all animation is cartoons, then Star Wars is at least part cartoon.

Special effects

Special effects are STILL animation. That's the point I'm trying to get across. Saying that special effects is a cartoon is as absurd as saying anime is a cartoon, however, for different reasons.

 

[Z(ombie)fan]

animated cartoon, noun
: a motion picture that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (as puppets) and that simulates movement by slight progressive changes in each frame
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animated+cartoon?show=0&t=1299435683

So in short, yes. Its just a different style of cartoon than say, spongebob or the simpsons

So you're saying the orginal Star Wars is a cartoon?

how the Hell does his definition warrant THAT nonsensical responce?

Star Wars is made up of a lot of animation. You know those green screens the actors stand infront of? Hell, even the lightsabers themselves. Infact, a lot of the content in Star Wars is animated. At least, I think that's what he is trying to get across.

If all animation is cartoons, then Star Wars is at least part cartoon.

fair enough, but its still a bit nonsense IMO.

ALSO: these captcha are the spawn of satan!

 

[ZiggyE]

animated cartoon, noun
: a motion picture that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (as puppets) and that simulates movement by slight progressive changes in each frame
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animated+cartoon?show=0&t=1299435683

So in short, yes. Its just a different style of cartoon than say, spongebob or the simpsons

So you're saying the orginal Star Wars is a cartoon?

how the Hell does his definition warrant THAT nonsensical responce?

Star Wars is made up of a lot of animation. You know those green screens the actors stand infront of? Hell, even the lightsabers themselves. Infact, a lot of the content in Star Wars is animated. At least, I think that's what he is trying to get across.

If all animation is cartoons, then Star Wars is at least part cartoon.

fair enough, but its still a bit nonsense IMO.

ALSO: these captcha are the spawn of satan!

Of course it is nonsense. That's the point I'm trying to make across.

If anime = cartoons then by definition Star Wars = cartoons as both are types of animation.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Snip

Personally, I just don't like the word period. Sounds so childish.

So Batman:TAS is just a "cartoon"?

Are Pixar films just "cartoon films"?

Even the Loony Tunes had many clever adult jokes and innuendos mixed in with the slapstick.

I really think animation won't get respect until we start widely using the term "Animated series" or something similar.