Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1276583
F E AT U R E ©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO from top, counter clockwise: Three anime inspired pieces by Erica Jones: A dramatic pose; a character design; and fan art for the Gallery Nucleus Naruto: The Tribute Exhibition. "When you're a kid, there's something for you to imprint on... so you're feeling connected to these characters. And, I think that got a lot of us drawing and excited by the idea of, 'I want to tell a story. I want to explore these emotions'". 32 KEYFRAME No longer. Those devotees of '80s and '90s anime have grown up, entered the industry and become game-changers. Some of the stereotypes of anime persist, but where one person sees oceans of blood, sexualized pre-teens and cuddly flying creatures, another finds vivid imagery, nuanced characters and deep philosophical themes. Blockbuster may have gone the way of the dinosaurs, but thanks to the Internet and streaming services, the anime "shelf" is loaded. Anyone wanting to binge watch has enough of a supply to outlast even an industry-shuttering pandemic. Many of the long-running shows that have crossed over are indeed binge- worthy, given their themes, characters and structuring. Even at 22 minutes, a favorite program may leave you hanging off the proverbial cliff, desperately awaiting the next installment, the next season, the next iteration. And, if there is any absolute certainty about the cave of wonders that is anime, it's that there will always be something new, something fresh, something mind-blowing. Lovers of anime say you can recognize the influence of the style in a Teen Titan, a Disney robot or a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. For so many people who work in animation, the progression of anime from its perception as a hallmark of nerd culture to a next frontier is still a work in progress.