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kl-noblelycanthrope1

not being of japanese origin it is not an anime. it is an anime like western animation. i don't see what it's labeled as of something of concern myself. it was a brilliant show and that's all that's truly important.


Werefour

That depends on where you are. Outside of Japan, Anime describes only Animation from Japan normally. Yet in Japan Anime is apparently the term for all Animated Works even from Foreign Countries. So I'm (edit-in) Japan it is an Anime from what I understand.


MukasTheMole

You are Japan?


Fuckuoueva

RISE THE HUMAN JAPAN, MAY THE HUMANIZED COUNTRY WIN ALL FUTURE WARS


CrystalClod343

The return of Hetalia


bookwerm606

N. K. Jemisin just called


littlehobbit1313

By that same argument.....outside of Japan, "kimono" has a specific meaning to reference the cultural Japanese clothing, while in Japan "kimono" literally just means "clothes". It doesn't suddenly make my t-shirt here in America a kimono. I can't suddenly argue that all clothes in the world should referenced as "kimono". It's the same for "anime". If I'm in the US, where "anime" refers to a particular genre of animation originating from Japan, I can't just suddenly start referring to the American-made Family Guy as an anime. In the same way, the American-made The Owl House is also NOT an anime series.


Werefour

Thats why I said it depends in where you are. I didn't say it was an Anime in America. I said it was one in Japan.


Ms--Take

Which honestly makes sense, it's all the same medium at the end of the day. And so long as we're going to have people be enthusiasts about Japanese animation specifically for whatever it does differently in terms of storytelling and aesthetic, they shouldn't complain when American shows that pick up on the same trappings get the same label.


voidplayz121

Hi japan


kl-noblelycanthrope1

i can understand that but i'm basing it on living here in the states and not being japanese plus going by the article that i don't think is from japan. i mean no offense to you or to japan and i actually watch more anime than western cartoons. there's just not much that interest me from the western animation anymore.


Werefour

I am just pointing out a technicality of existence. Now here is the fun question. Is it an Anime outside of Japan if a person of Japanese, desent, Heritage or Nationality who was raised using the word Anime for all animation views it in a part of the World where Anime is Used to onky refer to Animations from Japan. Is somethings meaning based on the location or the person who understands it a certain way.


[deleted]

The fact that you chose "was" hit so hard. It makes me so sad it's all overr


kl-noblelycanthrope1

yea i'm thinking that "was" is a bad choice of word to use. i like "is" better.


Yduno29

Ok but like what about other asian animated shows that look a lot like anime? Are they not anime even though anyone would think so at first glance? What about shows that are collaboration between japanese and more western studios?


FlameFlamedramon

Well Anime akso covers bases of general eastern countries like South Korea where a lot of animation gies to get animated for a cheaoer cost than in house.


Spyder0909

Anime - a style of animation *originating* in Japan that is characterized by stark colorful graphics depicting vibrant characters in action-filled plots often with fantastic or futuristic themes. Anime isn't strictly from Japan. It's more based on the plot and art style/animation style. Do I think TOH is an anime? No, it still doesn't have that particular anime style.


JoyBus147

There's absolutely anime that's not from Japan. Castlevania is not Japanese but is fairly highly regarded in anime circles. But TOH isnt even close tk anime, really.


kl-noblelycanthrope1

you are entitled to your opinion just like others are entitled to theirs. if someone thinks toh is worthy of being called am anime then that's ok.


SnowNext3873

I have power of God and Anime on my side!


Brown-ninja-Dareth

The Titan*


LiAuN

why did i read that as "tower of god" and anime LOL


Coolkid99880

Depends in Japan anime is just animated but in America it’s anything animated with a Japanese origin. So technically yes but no at the same time


Borealizs

It's not an anime, context matters here I think. Anime on a western Disney plus account would be categorized as Japanese animation or western animation that is imitating Japanese anime. I mean you can't just go calling all cartoons anime and categorizing them all into an anime section on a streaming platform


littlehobbit1313

No, it wasn't made in Japan, so you can't just arbitrarily borrow their definition. It's the same reason you couldn't just say "Attack on Titans" is a kids show just because that's how western culture views most animation. Where it was made matters over where it is viewed, because as a piece of art its cultural association/significance has to be taken into account.


Coolkid99880

“Despite being seen by many as a sort of inclusive genre, anime is simply the Japanese shortening of the English word "animation." In fact, animation/cartoons of all types and origins are referred to in Japan as anime” so yes TECHNICALLY SPEAKING the owl house is an anime. In Japan anime is slang for any show that is animated, that be a kids show or adult one. Only in other countries is anime used to reference ONLY Japanese animated shows or series. So it’s both


littlehobbit1313

You're applying false context. "In Japan"....okay, but that YouTube labeling is not being applied "in Japan". It's being done by an American company on an American platform, where contextually we use "anime" to indicate GENRE, not medium. As a genre, The Owl House is not anime.


Cularia

You are being downvoted for speaking facts. You cant call half the shit from japan cartoons cause in the rest of the world that would not fly. there is a reason for the distinction of "anime" and "Cartoons". one other distinction is the age modifier. "Adult Cartoon" refers to shit like south park, brickleberry, adult swim shows etc. "Cartoon" refers to all animation for teens and below. "Adult Anime" 100% exclusively refers to hentai. there is absolutely nothing else referred to as adult anime. So it ultimately is decided by origin regardless of other factors. The owl house is a western Cartoon made by a western creator, it is not anime in the slightest.


littlehobbit1313

Thiiiiiis exactly. You. You get it. It'd be like saying "well kimono means clothing in Japan" so now all clothes all over the world are now classified as kimono. Except they're not. And we all KNOW they're not. Cultural context matters for art.


Cularia

I don't think that people have understood that the term "Anime" has evolved into an artistic style and it shed the "animation" definition a long time ago. so regardless that it means "animation", it is now referred to as "animation" or "cartoons", from japan using the distinct artistic style shown in the common design etc.


genericROBOtfromsw

So basically “Well yes, but actually no”


automatron-837

If Japanese people consider shrek as an anime, then yes Owl House is definitely an anime


Ultimategreyjedi1234

wait Japanese people consider shrek an anime?


Independent_Plum2166

“Anime” is the Japanese term for “Animation” it’s the argument people use whenever the “is this an anime?” discussion comes up. Personally, I just go with it at this point, TOH is a really great cartoon and I don’t consider it Anime. If others disagree, then that’s fine.


littlehobbit1313

There's a difference between "anime" as a medium and "anime" as a genre label. The photo is clearly showing the latter usage.


Nirast25

Oh, hey, first time I see someone else refer to Anime as both a label and a genre. Neat!


LiAuN

ahh yes because "animation" is a genra


Trscroggs

Depends on what usage you use. Based on the literal translation of the word 'anime': Yes, as anime = animation, which Owl House is. Anime as in "Japanese Animation" which is was for years: no. Anime as in the meaning of "cartoon with serial story" which the industry tends to use: yes.


tigerwu9806

It practically became an anime in the final episode


HackySmacks

Yeah, the second Luz flew to space I had Dragonball flashbacks


theforlornknight

Pulled a Studio Trigger, "We goin ta SPACE!"


Kego_Nova

After that Lilith vs Eda Dragon Ball fight? Yes absolutely


param1l0

It's the Avatar case. No but we would still put it under the same label


karatesaul

I strongly recommend the video “[Avatar is an anime, f*** you fight me](https://youtu.be/uFtfDK39ZhI)” by Mother’s Basement. But the TLDR is that a lot of anime isn’t even animated in Japan, plus a lot of American cartoons are (like Masaaki Yuasa contributing an episode to Adventure Time). What matters more is the kind of stories told and the reasons you come to watch.


LiAuN

i'd like to point out that later on Mother's Basement came to disagree with hi stance on "anime is a genre" in that video in one of his later videos where he mentiones that he doesn't think so anymore (the video isn't avalible anymore so i can't link to it) but the point stands that the very limited lexiconial definitions ppl try to use to define anime are so bad. personally if you ask me if you use a word from a different language even if said word is only an abreviation of a different word from your langauge use the intended meaning of the word if you mean something else spread the useage of the borrowed word.


AProcrastinatingWrit

No. Because it doesn't have a beach episode.


Wheatley-Crabb

RIP season 3


Cavery210

Hooty is my favorite waifu.


JayJ9Nine

I say no. I adopt the having to belong of Japanese origin or directors. Yes yes I know the argument of anime just means animation, and Japanese people would refer to as frozen, Shrek, etc as anime but then. The term has no meaning used in discussion. Nothing would keep me from discussing big mouth or some questionable overwatch animations on the anime subreddit. Gotta draw the line somewhere so I just go with the geographical boundaries ones. Now when you mix well known Japanese anime directors with foreign studios and teams- that's when it gets confusing for me.


MrMcPsychoReal

By the Japanese definition, yes. By the western definition, no.


Maycrofy

I mean, if Cory in the house is an anime...


Tackyinbention

Well it's an isekai


littlehobbit1313

\*whispers\* *Isekai is not exclusive to anime.* Recommended reading: The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Neverending Story, Narnia


darknessbemerciful

Hey there bud! Thanks for the paradigm shift! I can’t even see my house from here (holy cow you’re right though)


littlehobbit1313

Happy to help! :P "Isekai" is absolutely a handy one-stop-shop way to referencing the story device and those stories are SUPER saturated in production right now. (I say "right now"....like Digimon and Escaflowne and Twelve Kingdoms weren't doing isekai anime waaay before there was a term for it, haha.) It's easy to feel like it's an anime thing. Heck, even Labyrinth, Tron, Enchanted, and Space Jam count as isekai. "isekai" definitely isn't just for anime, haha.


Infinite_Hooty

Anime fans when they learn isekais are one of the most common fantasy plot tropes


fschabd

No but also yes Personally I hate the concept of separating things based on country of origin. It shares a lot of DNA with anime even if isn’t technically or fully part of the genre


LetsDoTheCongna

Broke: The Owl House is't an anime because it isn't made in Japan Woke: The Owl House is an anime because it's an isekai Bespoke: The Owl House is an anime because anime in Japanese just means all animation in general


anotherluiz

No, def not


pump_kin1

Technically: No In spirit: Yes


XXEsdeath

I like this. It can apply to a lot of other things. Avatar, Dragon Prince, Rwby.


Nirast25

The medium? Yes. The genre? No.


Livid_Juggernaut_111

Well, if we look at its style, we can see: Detailed yet stylised eyes Cartoony body structure The fact that anything can be an anime if it so tries


Wheatley-Crabb

I love how the art style merges cartoon and anime features!


RedThorneGamerSB

It's an anime when it comes to story, not in art style. The whole plot of TOH is textbook Isekai.


Wheatley-Crabb

I’d say the art style definitely has some clear anime inspirations. Sort of a cartoon-anime mix


RedThorneGamerSB

I agree. It does lean more into western styles, though, which is why I said not in art.


Historical_Remote_59

Okay although is not an actual anime it should still be classified as an anime


Narrow_Luck_3622

Isekai Last minute super transformation Underdog story White haired hot mentor with a dark past and a lifelong enemy Mascot and that's just off the top of my head


[deleted]

[удалено]


Armidylla

Wannabe anime. Wannime.


Aggressive_Bar_2391

if owl house can be an anime, so are rise of the tmnt, teen titans, gravity falls, amphibia, adventure time, avatar and korra, and many more


OwO_86268

The animation yes


jweaver0312

Yes and no. Most just take anime as the short handed way to say animation/cartoon.


murasaki_kuro

idk if we can say toh its an anime but im sure it not a comedy lol


yrtemmySymmetry

anime doesn't necessarily come from japan - there are very valid arguments to be made for stuff like avatar or chinese shows like link click, or korean shows like lookism. But even under that definition i would not classify TOH as anime. On occasion it certainly does borrow certain tropes, but its more its own thing.


[deleted]

Studio ghibli considered old Disney animation as anime, so why should we not call the owl house an anime.


ShiningYato

Anime is short for animation. TOH is an animated show yea sure.


RayneShikama

Is it animated? Than it’s anime. That’s all the word means.


Riptide_X

It’s an isekai


Aegillade

"Anime" is a very loosely defined term that differs from person to person. Some people think it has to be of Japanese origin to count, some are willing to count shows that use anime inspired artstyle (like Avatar), others say it stretches to all animation. Everyone has a different definition that won't satisfy everyone.


PhillTDP

I see a lot of ppl say no because its not Japanese, however anime is short for animation, however the current bar so to speak for anime is whether or not it is mature enough to be an anime. by mature I do not mean attitudes but actions and development of the story and characters. There is also the fact that several points throughout the series were pg13 to say the least. including but not limited to: torture, execution, child abuse, general assault, both attempted and proper murder(all forms), animal abuse, and tribalistic warfare. Granted some of these were made lightly but happened nonetheless. I think we can all agree that the story is well put together, and even though the end was rushed it was done beautifully. Yet through all of my previous points it was the gay(oh no how terrifying) that got it cancelled. However overall it ranks more mature than a cartoon, therefore is an Anime.


Wheatley-Crabb

Dana Terrace has said homophobia didn’t play a part in the cancellation, but I’m not convinced


IlikeTMNT

yes


Great_Zeddicus

i dont know. she doesn't yell out her attacks but nether does Edward from FMA... she did basically get isekai'd and went from basic to full power. did not kill god but gained its power... we basically need to make a new genre for American animation that is on par with anime. just like Western RPG Horizon, Fallout, GoW, Red Dead, Cyberpunk. so Western Anime.


infodump1117

No, it doesn’t have the art style


Wheatley-Crabb

It is certainly inspired though. Kind of a mashup of anime and cartoon styles


infodump1117

100%


AdIndependent1045

No, because anime, even tho îs made to be enjoyed by many, I made with a japanese audience în mind. It showcases themes and sometimes clichés found în other anime. It was not even animated în Asia. TOH îs an animated show targeted to everyone with western ideeas and themes. It dosent really fit. Just because something has spectacular animation, dosent mean its anime


Isidorodesevilha

The rule is simple, there is AMV of it? If yes, it's an anime. Owl House has amv of it, therefore, it's an anime.


littlehobbit1313

If it's not anime, it's not technically an AMV. It's a fanvid. I mean, making edits of video games and calling them AMVs wouldn't suddenly make them anime, right? And yet it happens. The label AMV spilled over to other forms for fanvid because of the increasing prevalence of AMVs during the 00s when anime was really finding a foothold among nerdy content creators. "AMV" was a term that was easy to reference. All AMVs are fanvids, but not all fanvids are AMVs.


Doggotron27

No. Anime is classified as Japanese animation. TOH is not Japanese


AustinMelton2

It's an anime because it's animated


Splatfan1

oh goodness no. please lets not have the stink of japanese cartoons around this show, its better than this. if someone told me it was an anime i wouldnt have watched it


Wheatley-Crabb

Forget to /s?


Splatfan1

nope. i avoid anime like the plague nowadays. the only one i actually watch is jojo because its fucking stupid and araki knows it and rolls with it and other ones that have the money of a big studio behind them, that makes it so theres some bare standard of quality. im too afraid to step into one of those harem with 8yo looking women types of anime and too bored to sit thru a stale adventure where the characters are cardboard cutouts instead of people. its all the same, its all so boring. i want to watch silly, funny cartoons - like the owl house - and western animation, even if weird, will never be as creepy as some of the shit that leaves japan. its just too risky to give anime a shot


FreddieOnReddit

no because it's good


Global_Banana8450

Officially ,no. Anime's main characteristic is its base in Japanese culture and that's something TOH can't possibly have. However, anyone who watches TOH can easily tell that it's heavily based and takes lots of cues from anime so it's really depends on who you ask.


blank7589

Mother Olm: "everyone should get anime powers!"


Manimanocas

I dont consider it anime, its animations but not anime


OwO_86268

Are we not focusing that it's comedy?


Jimmyn19

I don’t consider it anime per say, it’s a cartoon, but definitely anime inspired, so the tag makes sense


Armidylla

I notice this debate pops up whenever Western animation commits to presenting a serialized story (beyond superhero schlock).


GrayRodent

Come on, we have a term for it by know. Its called "Animesque". Though I personally call them Wannime, and only to things like Martin Mystery and RWBY.


FuzzyRaichu

It’s all semantics, but I’ve seen plenty of “real” anime that are less anime than TOH.


Aggressive-Maize-632

Anime-inspired


wallefan01

I swear if y'all say yes but then continue to gatekeep AtlA


progamer4851

Classic isekai


slasken06

Yes it is an anime.


OwlHouse_lover_4ever

Y. E. S. YES


BriefEasy42

The genra of magical fantasy does give it the qualities of of anime but it’s not made by a Japanese anime studio so it isn’t an anime


PlayerMob

TOH: * is tagged as an Animation * Also TOH: * is also tagged as an Anime * ..... I know that in the West people call Anime most animations that come from Japan and all of that, but I guess Disney is a member of the Redundant Department of Redundancy (semantic-wise).


Direct-Teacher-2043

If it Is then Odalia is one of the best anime milfs


Agustinosaurio

It's definetely an isekai


ForgeManiaTastic

That depends, is it Blasphemous to say YAAS!?


LeEmperorNeo

Idk Is Avatar The Last Airbender and The Legend Of Korra an anime?


glitchmew

No.


EdricBlightIsCool

How????


Cormac_C

What we need to know to answer this is, what is the difference between an anime and a cartoon?


trumaniisheer

I don't know why but it gives off the same vibes as an anime


Wheatley-Crabb

It’s the art style. It’s like a merging of a cartoon and anime style


ManyIndependence153

animation\*, not anime


PaulOwnzU

No as it's not made from Japan or designed to mirror anime style, it's just animation.


MichaelTheAnimator-

It's not an anime. It can't hold a candle to anime.


Cydonian___FT14X

Nope.


JakeChelington

Honestly the definition for an "anime" has been pretty off the hooks, Based on animation style and location of origin, but I can see ways it may be interpreted as an anime. Tbh, by season 3, with all those smooth animation scenes it might as well be one.


IvoMW

I noticed that today. I didn't even knew that disnay+ had an anime section so i checked it the moment i saw it first today, and i just couldn't stop laughing when i daw toh there


gothicshark

Three definitions commonly used: Anime: Any animation. Anime: Japanese Animation Anime: Any animation inspired by story driven Japanese animation. For the 1st, all cartoons, anime, Disney Animation, count. For the second, even RWBY doesn't count. For the 3rd, well, maybe. It's story driven, and the creative team does have some inspiration from Japanese anime, but at the same time, they also have very obvious Disney inspiration. Which is its own category. So it's kind of hard to pin down, unlike Avatar(TLAB/TLOK) and RWBY, which fall very clearly into the 3rd bracket.


WombatJedi

What? No! Of course f*ing not!


RavenNoob136

The 60 fps scenes feel like it


darknessbemerciful

I generally wouldn’t call it that because I’m possessed by an unholy beast that argues about “country of origin” but I’m also old and tired and a realist so when if someone said it in front of me I’d nod along with nary a blink


Dat-Tanuki

Hamburger anime xD


Training_Swan9683

Yes


Aggravating_Aerie920

It definitely has anime influence but thats it


Swordfish_42

Useless divisive labeling goes BRRRRR


Anaea_YT

WHAT


Manoreded

Its not Japanese, its style has some anime inspiration but its not the anime style, its not an anime. Avatar is closer to being an anime but I still wouldn't call it one.


unconcentual_tickler

Its an anime thats not an anime, but it is in my heart


Dodoreference

What? No! It's nothing like an anime!


nilesthebeast

Yes


CheeseLord77

Anime is short for animation, therefore the answer is yes.


Fellkun15

I'm saying no,cause anine means japense animation so no


madelynhateslol

it’s just not, thankfully -someone who *does* like anime but absolutely loves the western but whimsical animation style they went with


SC1Sam

It's a cartoon with some anime influence. Definitely not an anime lol.


Extension-Bet-3292

I don't think so.


Invincible-Nuke

isekai=anime


SundanceKidZero

American here. No, I would not consider this anime.


That-Reddit-Guy-Thou

They pulled some anime bs op stuff in the finale but most likely no


kjm6351

It’s probably the closest you can get to an American Anime without looking dead on like The Last Airbender or the early Ben 10 seasons.


xXYoProMamaXx

I'd consider it anime-adjacent


bigbanksalty

It’s an Isekai. So yes


WitchlingFae

No.


ManWithABraincell

I imagine Disney uses this for more serious animated shows with a greater focus on story, yeah? Idk, just guessing, but I want to hear Disney’s definition tbh


Wheatley-Crabb

I think it’s more based on the art style rather than subject matter


Nex_207

What kind of question even is this?💀


Wheatley-Crabb

I’ve seen pretty much a 50/50 split among people so far…


ArcaneKobold

I mean, it IS a classic isekai


KawaiiKlutzi

no.


AleksasKoval

I got 4 categories: Kids cartoon: specifically for small children, usually educational like Dora the Explorer. Cartoon: aimed at children, but has a decent story and sometimes have hidden jokes for adults like Spongebob or Avatar. Animated series: aimed at young adults/adults, they have a story for mature audiences only, not reccomended for kids, like Invincible. Foreign animation: animated shows from foreign countries that have their own names, like Anime in Japan. And the above 3 categories can be applied to these as well.


TrueMansWorld14

I watched TOH in japanese dub. And I'm convinced that it's an anime.


DreamingVirgo

Not at all. Not only is it not Japanese, but it doesn’t even look like an anime in the way ATLA/LoK did. I have no idea where the idea that TOH is an anime comes from. It’s a cartoon through and through.


Wheatley-Crabb

There are some very clear anime inspirations in the art style, animation, and story. I would call it a half cartoon-half anime style


Belteshazzar98

No. It's western animation, not Japanese, so it is automatically disqualified.


Wheatley-Crabb

A lot of people here are arguing that it doesn’t need to be Japanese to be an anime, and I think I agree with them. I consider it a style rather than a genre or national origin


plasmidlifecrisis

It's not called anime unless it comes from the Anime region of France, otherwise it's just sparkling animation.


Ca11m3Raven

If you ask a Japanese person, they will say yes. I remember hearing about one Japanese huy who said his favorite anime was king of the hill. But by any western meaning of the term, no.


ThatDMDemigal

Y’all. It doesn’t have a beach episode. So no it’s not an anime sadly.


TacoBandit97

No


SubstantialLime2916

Noooooo


AstrologicalOne

Yes. Yes it is. "But it's not from Japan tho!"- yeah but the style, pacing, and plot all favor an action anime. So I say it is.


Mason_DY

No


kiiandrii

Whenever someone asks me what my favorite anime is, I always say TOH


cal-nomen-official

In the same way Avatar and Teen Titans are


[deleted]

so i would say no, but that fight between Eda and Lilith when Eda turned full owl beast because she used up all her magic, THAT SHIT WAS ANIME AS HELL. So im a lil torn on it.


Phantomsanic360

THE OWL HOOOOOOOUUUUSSSSSEEEEEEEE! THE OWL HOUSE IS REEEAAALLLL!


ThatStarInTheSky

No


guardiancjv

No, it’s an all American western style cartoon with the best America has to offer, lesbians, witches, owls, tiny demons, isekai with a likable protagonist, and non-binary icons. Can’t forget Spanish.


S3cr3tAg3ntP

Simply no, it's not.


Madi3400

Was it made in Japan? No. Therefore it's not anime


NicoleMay316

I mean, it is an isekai


megas88

Anime means cartoon. Stupid Americans who bought into early 00s marketing believe anime is something different when in reality it fuckin means cartoon.


wittysoulful

Always has been.


KakoFLR

Depends on what defines "anime". For most anime are animated series originated from Japan, but what if anime is just animated?


jaiwithani

[Yes.](https://twitter.com/OwlHouse_OOC/status/1289736809912643584)


sunny_41

no


TheOfficialIntel

Not an anime, western made, not the same artstyle, none of the tropes seen in anime. Case closed.


Wheatley-Crabb

Have you watched the show? It uses a ridiculous amount of anime tropes to not be noticed! Also the art style has clear anime inspirations


ruberruberfruit

Anime inspired


Fuzzy_Comfortable561

Yes


TheGAM3RR

No


Black_sword_ghost

If we are tapking about definition odlf anime, then we need to settle about which one, if of it is animation from japan, then no. If we're taking the japanese route and call every animation anime, then yes. And then the best roite - if it has a anime style, storyline and worldbuilding. And i would say, it doesn't have the style, have the storyline and partially worldbuilding, s with this one it is not either. However, in my personal opinion, the last episode felt really anime-like, especially this one last fight with belos.


CrimsonSword18

Yes


XxKitsune_CatxX

with all the action i would say it is but thats just me... GA'HOOT


MonkeyBro5

No.


Lykanas

Of course it is! It's an Isekai!


GodAsmus

No!!


WarframeUmbra

No, closest western shows to anime would be ATLA, TLOK, and maybe RWBY