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

[Jonesy911]

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"?

 

[mParadox]

Not really. Anime is short for Animation. People tend to generalize it to Japan. I think it's completely fine to call them cartoons, since that's what they are. However, I call them anime, for the sake of understanding.[footnote]Why do I get the feeling that I'll make a few enemies. >_>[/footnote]

 

[Thaluikhain]

"Cartoons" and "anime" simply refer to mediums. The words can be used incorrectly, but I wouldn't say offensively.

Though I'm not really an anime fan, maybe I don't understand their PoV.

 

[LawlessSquirrel]

I wouldn't call them cartoons, for the same reason I wouldn't call a poetry book a novel. They're delivered in the same medium, but they're different and meant to appeal to different audiences. Cartoons are great, anime is great, it's just that they're different, and that's why they have different names.

So I'd call it ignorant at worst, but offensive? That may be a bit too sensitive.

 

[JourneyThroughHell]

Which "Yes it" should I choose?

OT: Perfectly fine. Hell, I call Pixar movies "cartoons" and I like them far better than anything I've seen out of the Japanese stuff.

Nothing wrong with that title. Another way of saying "animation".

 

[spartan231490]

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"?

EDIT: Fuckin' poll being a ***** atm

I'm with your friends on this. I've yet to see a cartoon with even the depth of the simplest anime, and the word cartoon is indicative of children's entertainment, which anime is not.
Off topic: I hate cartoons.

 

[Krankybias]

I've only known the die-hard anime fans to be offended by the word cartoons.

and when I say "known die hard anime fans" I mean seen comments on youtube from people like XxSasukeSLIPKNOTXx

 

[Klumpfot]

Of course it's not; it's from Japan. Just like J-rock is not rock music, and J-horror movies are not horror movies.

 

[Sora-Livana]

I prefer to call it anime, simply because of how different it is in comparison to the cartoons produced in the west. The whole purpose of names is to help differentiate between different things.

 

[freakydan]

Cartoons are just animated videos. All anime = cartoon. I'd ask for clarification from anyone who says otherwise.

 

[Ewyx]

I'd say anime is a specific genre of cartoons.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

Eh, I'd say it is inaccurate. Western? I call them cartoons, generally. Japanese? Animé.
If anyone tries to get into a conversation about animé with me in real life, and call them cartoons, I just give them the "Are you stupid" look. And then explain why it is animé, and not cartoons.
As it is, I just give that look to my screen, then go to look at the next thread.

Cartoons from Japan are still cartoons. Anyone who gets pissy over someone calling them that is far too obsessed with them.

I AM NOT OBSESSED.
*Goes to rearrange her animé figurines*

 

[Gigano]

No, it's a somewhat accurate description that'll communicate to most westerners what the medium consist of, without having to explain the specific definition of "Anime". And cartoon isn't derogatory in any way, stuff like Futurama could fit the description perfectly, and is aimed at adults.

 

[WrcklessIntent]

By definition not really but I personally believe it to be inaccurate. I generalize anime with shows that have actual stories and invoke emotions and are from japan. Cartoons are like family guy, futurama, and the simpsons. I not saying that calling them cartoons is wrong that's just my personal view.

 

[Jonluw]

Anime is a sub-genre of cartoons, that goes without saying. However, it is implied when saying 'cartoons' that you refer to western cartoons which very rarely handle adult subjects or have any emotional depth. Therefore many fans of anime find it offensive when anime is grouped in with western animation.

In the west, cartoons are seen as only capable of catering to children (spongebob etc.) or being light hearted comedy with perhaps some social satire (The Simpsons, South park etc.). Many fans of anime are trying to fight this view that animated material is not serious (think of it like the "games are art" conflict), and as such do not like the use of the word 'cartoon' when referring to material with emotional depth.

In other words: Anime differs greatly from people's connotations with the word 'cartoon', so while it is technically an appropriate term (moving drawings) the fans would not like to have the uninitiated think of anime as cartoons, since that would mean introducing them to the medium would be impossible, seeing how they will think of it as cartoons and never take it seriously.
It is actually rather annoying. The single most moving experience of my life was an anime, and I would so much like to let others experience it as well, but there is no way of getting them to accept it.

Edit: It may be that the definition of cartoon doesn't include all moving drawings. In that case, I am wrong. It probably comes from a linguistic misunderstanding: in my language, the word meaning 'cartoon' is 'tegneserie'; literally "a series of drawings"

 

[derdeutschmachine]

Cartoon is defined as a sketch or drawing, usually humorous, as in a newspaper or periodical, symbolizing, satirizing, or caricaturing some action, subject, or person of popular interest.

Anime is defined as a Japanese style of motion-picture animation, characterized by highly stylized, colorful art, futuristic settings, violence, and sexuality.

Do they mean the same thing? No obviously not. But the congruous elements in each harbor great resemblence to eachother. They are similar. It's not wrong to mistake one for the other in a situation of ignorance.

To put it in perspective. If I know someone is into Anime, I call them Anime. However, if I know they are ignorant to the specificities surrounding Anime, I call them Cartoons.

Definitions are sourced from Dictionary.com