Avatar: The Last Airbender is an American cartoon television series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The series aired on Nickelodeon for three seasons from 2005 to 2008. The series follows the adventures of protagonist Aang and his friends, who must save the world from the Fire Nation.
Some people say that Avatar: The Last Airbender is an Anime because of its art style and its themes. So, is it an Anime or not?
It is not just difficult, but also shockingly profound. When compared to other animated series on Nickelodeon, A.T.L.A. has a more subtle approach to character development.
This series exudes an entirely unique atmosphere in comparison to other Western shows, and it also stands out from other programs that are aimed at audiences of a similar age.
When watching Avatar: The Last Airbender, it is pretty clear that the creators drew a significant amount of influence from the very successful genre of Japanese animation known as Anime.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is not an Anime, despite the fact that its plot and artistic style are quite similar to those of Anime.
Read on to learn more about Avatar.
What is considered an Anime?
According to most definitions, Anime is a Japanese style of motion picture animation, characterized by highly stylized and colorful graphics, and often featuring themes that are indicative of Japan’s unique cultural heritage.
Anime is a kind of cartoon developed or influenced by Japanese animation. Consider this: although all Anime programs are cartoons, not all cartoons are Anime. The art style of Anime is very unique and can be easily recognized.
You’ve undoubtedly seen the huge eyes, untamed hair, long arms and limbs, and other characteristics. This exaggerated style allows the characters to convey their emotions more freely, which are numerous in Anime.
Animation techniques such as dramatic closeups and zooms, powerful lighting, and dazzling colors are examples of technical animation methods that contribute to the emotionally engaging sense of Anime.
Anime, on the other hand, has won over the hearts of viewers not just due to its unique visual style, but also because of the intricate characters and exciting storylines that it presents.
Is Avatar Considered an Anime?
Avatar has been referred to as an Anime by some fans, but it does not meet all the qualifications of the term.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is a three-season American animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon. The show is set in an Asian-influenced world of elemental magic and follows the adventures of the main character, Aang, and his friends, Katara and Sokka.
Generally, Anime refers to Japanese animation, while Avatar is an American cartoon. Additionally, Anime is characterized by its wide range of genres, while Avatar falls squarely within the adventure genre.
However, there are some similarities between Avatar and Anime; both feature strong female protagonists and use Asian influence in their settings and character designs.
Why is Avatar a Cartoon and not an Anime?
Anime is a subculture. It’s beyond its stereotypes. People forget that Anime is an industry.
The creators of Avatar The Last Airbender were not from the Anime industry. It has the appearance and characteristics of one, but sadly, it is not one.
In contrast, the film Parasite was produced in another film industry, so it cannot be considered a Hollywood production. The exact same thing is true for the case of ATLA.
Now, I’m not trying to knock ATLA for being the fantastic series that it is (it’s pretty darn awesome), but I do hope this clarifies what Anime is and is not.
It’s easy to overlook the reality that Anime encompasses far more than simply one genre. It’s a multi-genre business that caters to a wide range of styles.
There are many who would respond to the question at hand by declaring, that Avatar: The Last Airbender is not an Anime since it is not a Japanese program. In spite of the fact that this is a reasonable point, my rationale focuses more on the show’s production than on culture at large.
Because of the way that some perspectives have muddied the waters of the Anime industry, it is essential for viewers to be aware of the difference between genuine Anime and an inspired series. This was made very clear in a recent documentary that can be seen on Netflix and is titled Enter The Anime.
I won’t get into specifics, but it’s safe to say that the documentary’s director was completely misinformed about the subject matter she was discussing. It would be erroneous to label anything as Anime just because its visual style and tone are reminiscent of those found in Anime.
Popular Anime and Avatar: The Last Airbender both use the same basic framework for their stories, yet the two mediums are quite distinct from one another. Even if it is not an Anime, it will nevertheless be recognized as a significant accomplishment in the field of Western animation.
Is Avatar a Western Anime?
The place of origin is the most important distinction between Western animation and Anime.
When foreign animation became popular in the mid-80s, unrestricted access to Japanese Anime titles and Japanese Anime explored more Western-style animation, the distinctions were more blurred than ever before.
With the return of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender series to Netflix, it is once again in the zeitgeist of popular culture and may draw in a lot of new viewers. Avatar: The Last Airbender is closely related to Japanese Anime for a number of reasons, including the fact that both of these series have some overlap with the latter, which is now more widely available and well-liked than ever. Avatar will likely appeal to anybody who appreciates Anime.
Anime vs. Cartoon
| Comparison Factors | Anime | Cartoon |
| Definition | It describes a kind of semi-realistic animation that is used in films, television shows, and other media. | It is a non-realistic genre of visual art that often takes the form of animation and incorporates elements of comedy and sarcasm into its compositions. |
| Origin | This art style originated in Japan, and the majority of films, etc., are created and manufactured only in Japan. | This kind of art was initially developed in the United States, although it is currently created in practically every major country. |
| First appearance | It originally appeared in the year 1980, and as time went on, it became more significant. | It originally appeared as two-dimensional drawings and sketches in the middle age era. |
| Represents | A film or television series based on this art often signifies something serious. | It signifies anything of a light nature and highlights elements that elicit laughter or sarcasm. |
| Type | This is of a more intricate type in comparison. | This is of a type that is less complicated in comparison. |
Why do people believe Avatar is an anime?
Naturally, the “is it an anime?” debate may soon turn into a fan battle. Fans of The Last Airbender and Korra, on the other hand, cannot deny that many aspects of the show are reminiscent of Western animation.
This causes a lot of confusion and is one of the reasons why many people think Avatar is anime. This has been attributed to the following:
- Cultural perceptions
- Story elements
- Character designs and animations
Is Avatar: The Legend Of Korra an animated film?
Avatar: The Legend Of Korra is not an anime because it was primarily produced in the United States.
It is not drawn traditionally, and it was not produced in Japan to be considered anime. Despite having anime aspects, the show was made at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California.
Another disqualifier is the lack of lyrical and metaphorical language. Avatar falls short or underperforms in both of these areas. Second, because anime is Japanese in origin, it must be voiced in Japanese. Avatar: The Legend Of Korra, on the other hand, was not voiced in Japanese, but in English. Even the Japanese dub of the show is unavailable.
Conclusion
In short, Avatar is a fantastic series that draws heavily on Anime works, many of which are equally fantastic.
However, Nickelodeon is an animation studio and it is a Nickelodeon production. So, although I see why some people label Avatar an Anime, you can’t go wrong calling it that.
- Avatar: The Last Airbender is an incredible Nickelodeon cartoon series. There is no doubting that it draws inspiration from Anime, yet it should not be mistaken for one. It should be recognized as an honorary Anime at the very least.
- Popular Anime and Avatar: The Last Airbender both use the same basic framework for their stories, yet the two mediums are quite distinct from one another. Even if it is not an Anime, it will nevertheless be recognized as a significant accomplishment in the field of Western animation.