Early Beginnings 1900 1930s

The Birth of Anime: A Historical Timeline

Early Beginnings (1900-1930s)

The history of anime dates back to the early 1900s. In 1907, Katsudō Shashin (lit. "moving photographs") was produced by Junichi Kouchi and is considered one of the very first examples of Japanese animated short films.

However, it was not until the 1930s that anime truly began to take off. In 1933, WEB Masaoka created the first talkie anime, Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka (lit. "The World of Power and Women"). Just one year later, in 1934, the first anime made entirely using cel animation was released: The Dance of the Chameleon. Cel animation is a technique where transparent sheets of plastic film are used to create each frame of animation, and it quickly became the standard for anime production.

Golden Age (1940s-1960s)

The Golden Age of anime is generally considered to be the period from the 1940s to the 1960s. During this time, a number of classic anime films were released, including Princess Iron Fan (1941), Aladdin and the Magic Lamp (1942), and Astro Boy (1963).

It was also during this time that anime began to gain popularity outside of Japan. In the United States, anime was introduced by American servicemen who had been stationed in Japan during the war. Anime quickly gained a following among American fans, and by the mid-1960s, dubbed anime was being broadcast on American television.

Modern Era (1970s-Present)

The modern era of anime began in the 1970s, with the release of a number of groundbreaking anime series, including Mobile Suit Gundam (1979), Doraemon (1979), and Saint Seiya (1986).

Anime has continued to grow in popularity in recent decades, and today it is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world. Anime is now enjoyed by people of all ages and cultures, and it has had a significant impact on popular culture.

The history of anime is a long and complex one, but it is a story that is still being written. With its rich history and talented creators, anime is sure to continue to entertain and inspire generations to come.