History of Anime and Manga
Tracing Back to the Origins of Manga
In 12th century Japan, a famous set of four picture scrolls called the 鳥獣人物戯画 (Choju-Jinbutsu-Giga) which translates to Scrolls of Frolicking Animals. They depicted animals acting like humans in different humorous situations. The first two scrolls are entrusted to the Tokyo National Museum and the other two are entrusted to the Kyoto National Museum.
Edo Period to the Present
During the Edo Period (1603–1868), Kusazoshi became popular in Japan. These were illustrated books that laid the groundwork for modern manga. They came in different genres to suit various tastes: Akahon (red books) for simple stories, Kurohon (black books) with darker themes, Aohon (blue books) for adventure, and Kibyoushi (yellow-backed books) with satire for adults. These colorful books mixed pictures and text, much like manga today.
After World War II, manga evolved further with Osamu Tezuka, known as the "Godfather of Manga." He created iconic works like Astro Boy in the 1950s, introducing cinematic styles and deeper stories. His influence helped manga grow into the diverse, global art form it is today, covering everything from action to romance.
Evolution of Animation
Anime began in Japan in the early 20th century with Katsudo Shashin around 1907, a short silent film, followed by experimental works from pioneers like Seitaro Kitayama and Junichi Kouchi in the 1910s and 1920s, inspired by Western animation. After a slowdown during World War II, anime took off in the 1950s with Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy (1963), the first TV anime series. In the 1980s and 1990s, works like Akira, Dragon Ball, and Princess Mononoke gained international fame, blending striking visuals with diverse stories. Today, anime covers genres like action, romance, and fantasy, reaching audiences far beyond Japan.
