Ask John: Why Is There No Anthropomorphic Anime?

Question:
Why none of the Japanese anime artist done any anthropomophic anime or manga shows with no humans in it? All the anime seems to just have human-like characters.

Answer:
I have two responses to this question: one is practical while the second takes a comprehensive look at the issue itself. First, Japan’s anime industry does produce anthropomorphic shows. Damekko Doubutsu, for example, depicts a community of humanoid animals and includes no actual humans. Poka Poka Mori no Rascal and Konchu Monogatari Minashigo Hutch depict animal societies that operate similar to human society. Anime including Pom Poko, Unico, Nagareboshi Gin, and Ginga Densetsu Weed depict animals that communicate with each other and relate to each other with human characteristics while almost entirely excluding human characters. And there are many anime titles that include anthropomorphic characters along side humans, including Keroro Gunso, Pocket Monster, Hyper Police, the Doraemon: Nobita & the Animal Planet movie, The Supergal, The Enemy is the Pirate, Baghi, Outlanders, and many others.

Anthropomorphic characters are so representative and iconic of American animation that they’re virtually synonymous. American animation has major anthropomorphic characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Bambi, Dumbo, Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry, Woody Woodpecker, Underdog, Hong Kong Phooey, Scooby Doo, Rocky & Bullwinkle, and so on. American animation is routinely stereotyped as “talking animals,” but in the American mainstream, anime is characterized as giant robots, violence, big eyes, and kids with wild hair. Even though there are numerous examples of anthropomorphic anime, the summation of anime as cartoons about talking animals never happens.

I believe that the explanation for this disparity lies in the difference in philosophy between American and Japanese animation. Mainstream American animation is designed to entertain children. Much of it may be accessible to children and adults, but American animation designed specifically for adult audiences are an extreme rarity. While American cartoons are designed to entertain and occupy children, much of anime is designed for viewers to relate to. Human characters are necessary because they’re more believable for viewers. Watching a rabbit taunt a human hunter, a mouse turn the tables on a cat, or a coyote constantly fail to catch a roadrunner may be amusing, but these stories don’t feel real; they’re obvious fantasy because they star walking, talking, intelligent animals. Animation that stars human beings can teach lessons about social interaction and acceptable behavior; can introduce lessons in independence, personal responsibility, and decision making; and can provide characters that viewers can empathize with instead of just laugh at. I’m not trying to suggest that anime has a conscious goal of being educational and morally responsible, nor am I trying to suggest that conventional American cartoons are irresponsible or superficial. But I do think that there are different cultural principles between Japan and America that influence the way animation is made in these respective countries, and the values and characteristics that Japanese and American animation prioritize.