Japanese Anime

Anime is an abbreviation of the word “animation”. Outside Japan, the term most popularly refers to animation originating from Japan; and to the Occidental way of thinking, not all animations are considered anime. Anime is therefore usually considered to be a subset of animation.

Anime is traditionally hand drawn, but like in most animation computer assisted animation techniques have become quite common in recent years. The story-lines of anime represent most major genres of fiction and most motion-picture media (television broadcast, DVD and VHS distribution, and full length motion pictures).

The History of Anime begins at the start of the 20th century, when Japanese filmmakers experimented with the animation techniques that were being explored in France, Germany, the United States, and Russia. The oldest known anime is in 1907, a short 3 second clip of a sailor boy.

By the 1930s, animation became an alternative format of storytelling compared to the underdeveloped live-action industry in Japan. Unlike America, the live-action industry in Japan remained a small market and suffered from budgeting, location, and casting restrictions. The lack of Western-looking actors, for example, made it next to impossible to shoot films set in Europe, America, or fantasy worlds that do not naturally involve Japan. The varied use of animation allowed artists to create any characters and settings.

Starting with Snow White, Disney demonstrated animation’s potential as a medium. The success of Disney’s works influenced Japanese animators. Osamu Tezuka adapted and simplified many Disney animation precepts to reduce the budget costs and number of frames in the production. This was intended to be a temporary measure to allow him to produce one episode every week with an inexperienced animation staff. Some animators in Japan overcome production budgets by utilizing different techniques than the Disney or the old Osamu Tezuka methods of animating anime.

During the 1970s, there was a surge of growth in the popularity of manga – which were often later animated – especially those of Osamu Tezuka, who has been called a “legend” and the “god of manga.” As a result of his work and that of other pioneers in the field, anime developed characteristics and genres that are fundamental elements of the art today. The giant robot genre (known as “mecha” outside Japan), for instance, took shape under Tezuka, developed under Go Nagai and others, and was revolutionized at the end of the decade by Yoshiyuki Tomino. Robot anime like Gundam and Macross became instant classics in the 80s, and the robot genre of anime is still one of the most heard of in Japan and worldwide today. In the 1980s, anime was accepted in the mainstream in Japan, and experienced a boom in production (it should be noticed that manga has significantly more mainstream exposure than anime in Japan). The mid-to-late ’90s, on into the 2000s, saw an increased acceptance of anime in overseas markets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime

Cartoon Network adds Japanese anime series

This Summer, Cartoon Network adds another exciting, action-packed Japanese anime series, Battle B-Daman, to its repertoire of programs. Following the success of such shows as Beyblade and Pokemon, Battle B-Daman will premiere on Cartoon Network from 15th June, Monday to Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Ever since ancient times, people in the B-DaWorld have been using B-Daman marble-shooters in sport and to resolve conflicts. Join Yamato, who has been bestowed the most powerful B-Daman, Cobalt Blade, and his friends on their journey as they learn the sport of B-Daman, the value of friendship, and have lots of fun along the way.
But the fun isn’t only on television! Cartoon Network will let you experience the B-DaWorld in person with the B-DaZone.

The B Da Zone isn’t merely a place; it’s an entire sensory experience! Do you have what it takes to become a member of the B Da Zone? Get ready for some challenging training to master how to control a B-Da Shooter and sharpen your skills with fun and games.
Cartoon Network will re-create the visual feel of the B-DaWorld where kids can take part in various activities related to the show to win on-the-spot prizes! Kids can vie to become the B-DaChampion using the B-Daman Shooters. Other show related activities will include a Battle B-Daman trivia quiz and the chance to test your skill with other skill based games and more. Experience Battle B-Daman first hand at the following locations:

Karachi at Dolmen Mall, Tariq Road
Lahore at Pace Mall, Gulberg
26th – 28th June
Karachi at Park Towers, Clifton
Lahore at Pace Mall, Link Road
3rd – 5th July
Karachi at Dolmen Mall, Hyderi

And to continue the fun of Battle B-Daman, Cartoon Network will be giving out fantastic prizes every week including exclusive B-Daman Shooters and a fabulous grand prize of a Nintendo Wii through a special on air contest. Simply tune in to Cartoon Network between 15th to 26th June, Mon – Fri from 7.30 pm to find out who wins the B-Daman battle in the B-DaWorld today! Two characters will face off against each other with their B-Damans and to win, just tell us who won the battle of the day via SMS, email or telephone. Watch Cartoon Network for complete details.

Launched in Pakistan in 2004, Cartoon Network, the best place for cartoons, is the most popular kids’ channel in Pakistan. Drawing from the world’s largest cartoon library of Warner Bros, MGM, Hanna-Barbera as well as original Cartoon Network titles to offer more than 14,000 cartoons and characters, the channel reaches cartoon lovers of all ages in close to 60 million households in 23 countries and territories in Asia, including Pakistan. Online, Cartoon Network reaches almost 2 million unique visitors a month in Asia Pacific.