Don't be fooled by the big eyes, special effects shows, and the pretty ladies. Anime, sometimes referred to as Japanimation, is more than a mere art style. To some, it is a way of life.

Anime originated in the 1960s, when the television made it's way to Japan. At that time, the popular art style was simply called "manga", or comics drawn and made in Japan. Some pioneers in the Japanese comic industry decided to put manga in motion by animating their works on the TV screen.

During this transition from comics to live television, art style was not the only thing embedded into what would be known as Anime. Along with the distinct style, Japanese culture was fused into this new type of film. This in turn creates animated products that caters to a more mature audience, featuring storylines that have more violence, sex, humor, emotion, and action than the conventional cartoon.

As more artists started making the transition from comics to live animation, subtypes of Anime started to merge. Shonen, or Anime for boys, focuses on battles and action. Dragon Ball, Gundam, and Evangelion fall under this category. Shoujo targets the female audience, consisting of stories of relationships and love.

Because of it's unique appearance, it's taste of Japanese culture, and it's uncanny ability to touch the human heart, Anime continues to allure viewers from all over the world, giving new life to the typical world of animation while offering powerful and unique imagery to its numerous audiences. All this is done, entertaining every step of the way.