Mugen Monday - Eleventh Edition

One of the pivotal article angles we in the Spiel Anime team have covered since the ancient beginning has had to do with the definitions of Anime. For example, what exactly is it?

On the forefront, it seems like an easy answer. But ask yourself really, what exactly is Anime?

Is it the location?

Is it the animation from Japan? But then what about Chinese animations such as Mi Yu Xingzhe (Uncharted Walker) which are quite difficult to distinguish simply on the basis of their animation style?

Is it the source material?

And what about Anime such as God of High School, Tower of God, or heck, even the upcoming Solo Leveling? Aren’t they based on Korean Manhwa/Webtoon? If so is the source material a defining factor of what an Anime is?

Is it the voice dub?

Let’s go a step further. Many say that the Chinese example stated above can simply be eliminated if one distinguishes Anime through its voice dub.

But again, Korean-source-based Anime like the above mentioned (Solo Leveling, etc) are easily dubbed by Japanese voice actors presiding within the country, and easily recognizable by many fans.

As it seems, it’s been quite a hell of a task to differentiate what Anime is and what isn’t. But for the vast amount of fans, they are quite relentlessly unconcerned about such distinctions.

May pique your curiosity: Investigating Spain’s Attempts at Making Anime

A peak in curiosity goes a long way

While on a similar scale, a vast number may also be equally emotionally responsive to the categorisation.

I personally may find it difficult to watch an Anime dubbed in French, or Korean. 

Simply due to the reason that I am quite used to the Japanese dub, entirely entailing the fact that it’s not that the language is the thing I am biased against. Quite honestly, I would prefer Japanese over English dub, simply because I am (again) too used to the former.

The reason I have written about this is not to state an answer, but merely to peak the curiosity of your mind. To perhaps make you reconsider - am I watching Anime, and if so what exactly is it?

Why this discussion helps us, and you (Ahem)

This helps me in many ways, but the main is this - you figure out what exactly Anime is to you, and then you find out why you love it so much, consciously. And then you find that the best place to have emerged into this world is by reading what Spiel Anime has to offer.

Yes, that’s my job, quite literally. Welcoming you to the magnificent eleventh edition of Mugen Monday. Light Speed!

For those who dare dream.

- From the Editor’s Desk

Rhytham Das, Editor-in-Chief, Spiel Anime