Japanese animation—now globally known as *anime*—has a long and fascinating history that stretches back over a century. While modern audiences often associate anime with colorful TV series and films from studios like Studio Ghibli or global hits such as Naruto, its origins are much older and deeply tied to both Japanese culture and global technological developments.

The Origins of Japanese Animation (Early 1900s)

Anime didn’t begin as the polished, high-budget medium we see today. Its roots go back to the **early 20th century**, around **1917**, when the first known Japanese animated films were produced.

### The first pioneers

Three key figures are often credited with starting Japanese animation:

* Ōten Shimokawa

* Jun'ichi Kōuchi

* Seitaro Kitayama

These early animators experimented with techniques like chalk drawings and cut-out animation. Unfortunately, many of their works have been lost due to time, war, and fragile film materials.

### Early example

One of the earliest surviving anime films is:

* Namakura Gatana

This short comedic film tells the story of a dull sword and reflects the playful, experimental tone of early Japanese animation.

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1920s–1930s: Growth and Influence

During the 1920s and 1930s, Japanese animation began to develop more structure and storytelling.

### Influences from the West

Japanese animators were heavily inspired by Western animation, especially from companies like:

* Walt Disney Company

Films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs had a huge impact, encouraging Japanese creators to pursue longer, more detailed productions.

### Challenges

* High production costs

* Limited access to advanced technology

* Competition with imported Western films

Despite these obstacles, Japanese animators continued experimenting with style and narrative.

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1940s: Wartime Animation

During World War II, animation in Japan was largely used for propaganda.

### Notable work

* Momotaro: Sacred Sailors

This was Japan’s first feature-length animated film and was produced to boost morale and nationalism.

### Characteristics

* Government funding

* Military themes

* Simplified animation styles due to resource shortages

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1950s: Rebuilding and the Birth of Modern Anime

After the war, Japan’s animation industry had to rebuild from scratch.

### A turning point: Toei Animation

The founding of Toei Animation in 1948 was crucial. The studio aimed to become the “Disney of the East.”

### First color feature film

* Hakujaden

Also known as *The Tale of the White Serpent*, this was Japan’s first full-length color anime film.

This period marked:

* Better animation quality

* Structured studio systems

* The beginning of anime as a commercial industry

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1960s: The Birth of TV Anime

The 1960s is when anime truly began to resemble what we recognize today.

### The “God of Manga”

A central figure in anime history is:

* Osamu Tezuka

He revolutionized animation by introducing:

* Cinematic storytelling

* Large expressive eyes (inspired by Disney)

* Efficient production methods

### First major TV anime

* Astro Boy

This was Japan’s first widely successful TV anime series and set the standard for future productions.

### Key innovations

* Limited animation techniques (to reduce costs)

* Episodic storytelling

* Mass television distribution

1970s–1980s: Expansion and Genre Diversity

Anime exploded in popularity during these decades.

### New genres emerge

* Mecha (giant robots)

* Sci-fi

* Fantasy

* Sports

### Influential series and creators

* Mobile Suit Gundam

* Hayao Miyazaki

* Isao Takahata

### Studio Ghibli era

Founded in 1985, Studio Ghibli brought anime global prestige with films like:

* My Neighbor Totoro

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1990s: Global Breakthrough

Anime became a worldwide phenomenon in the 1990s.

### Iconic titles

* Dragon Ball Z

* Sailor Moon

* Pokémon

### Why it spread globally

* International TV distribution

* Merchandising (toys, games, cards)

* Growing fan communities

Anime began influencing Western animation and pop culture.

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2000s–Present: Digital Era and Global Dominance

In the 21st century, anime has become a major global industry.

### Key developments

* Digital animation replaced hand-drawn techniques

* Streaming platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll expanded access

* International co-productions increased

### Modern hits

* Attack on Titan

* Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

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So, When Did Japanese Animation Start?

**Short answer:**

Japanese animation began around **1917**.

**Long answer:**

It started as small experimental films in the early 1900s, grew through wartime propaganda, evolved into a structured industry in the 1950s, and became the global cultural force we know today starting in the 1960s and beyond.

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