Anime
One of the most recognized and unique of all Japanese art forms, anime can trace its roots back to 1917, when Japanese animators first began experimenting with animation techniques developed in France, Germany and the United States. Though anime, which drew influence from Japanese manga 
or comic books, was immediately popular, the heavily stylized anime that we know today didn't emerge until the 1960s, with the work of notable artist Osamu Tezuka. His anime characters typically featured large eyes, exaggerated facial features and big hair and elongated limbs, a striking visual combination that has since come to define the anime look. Anime can be serialized like the influential Cowboy Bebop , or exist as movies like My Neighbor Totoro . Today anime can refer to a manga paperback or a movie or television series.
Popular Anime Shows
Since the 1980s, anime has become a dominating force in pop culture and has a fanatical devotion amongst many teenagers around the world. Many of them deal with science fiction and fantasy themes of dystopian futures, technology gone mad, and death and the afterlife.
- Full Metal Alchemist : this long-running anime is set in a world modeled after the Industrial Revolution and chronicles the story of two alchemist brothers in search of the famed Philosopher's Stone. The stone will restore their bodes, which were destroyed in a failed attempt to revive their mother through alchemy.
- Gundam : First introduced in 1979, Gundam is one of the biggest animes and is a collective term for the seven timelines that inhabit the Gundam universe. The giant robots, or mecha, that populate the story can be found in Gundam Wing and Gundam Seed.
- Death Note : This popular series follows a young Japanese schoolboy who comes into the possession of a Death Note, a supernatural notebook that allows the reader to kill anyone just by writing their name in it. There are several versions of the anime, one of which features English dubbing, as well as a live action film .
- Naruto : Hugely popular since the first manga was published in 1997, Naruto tells the adventures of a boy who desperately wants to become the most strongest ninja in his village, thereby earning recognition and a place as leader. A 2002 movie release was instantly successful. This is another favorite anime for fans to cosplay .
- Inuyasha : First published as a manga in 1996, this series revolves around a time-traveling high school student, demons, a monk and a demon slayer as they attempt to collect precious jewel fragments and fight evil.
Here are a few other shows that have found loyal and devoted followings.
Top Sellers
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Ghost in the Shell 2.0 One of the most popular and enduring anime shows, Ghost in the Shell 2.0 takes place three years after the original and follows Batou as he struggles to unravel a mystery involving androids and Section 9. |
Samurai Champloo: The Complete Series Samurai Champloo follows the adventures of three travelers as they wander the Japanese countryside fighting amongst themselves and others. |
Evangelion 1.11 The first in a four part series that re-tells the story of the groundbreaking anime Neon Genesis Evangelion , this movie covers the same material as the first six episodes. |
Bleach One of the most popular and heavily merchandised mangas , Bleach tells the story of a young Japanese boy who acquires the powers of a Soul Reaper and must defend humans from eveil spirits while guiding them to the afterlife. Many fans cosplay as their favorite Bleach characters. |
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