Why isn’t Avatar: The Last Airbender an anime? A popular debate on the internet and among ATLA fans is whether or not the series should be considered an anime or not. Here is a guide on why Avatar: The Last Airbender isn’t an anime.
Why isn’t Avatar: The Last Airbender an anime?
What exactly is the definition of anime? It has a variation of meanings. Outside the context of Japan, English speakers likely consider anime as animation produced or originating from Japan, or an art style from Japan. Although in Japan, anime (shortened from animation) may refer to all kinds of animated works.
However, the definition continues to widen and change. For example, Scott Pilgrim is originally a series of graphic novels by Canadian artist Bryan Lee O’Malley. But there’s a Scott Pilgrim anime, which was produced by North American and Japanese companies.
Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who are both American, created Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon Animation Studio produced the show. In that context, Avatar can’t be considered an anime since it was created in the West.
However, there’s no doubt that certain elements from Avatar give off anime vibes. From the art style to the plot elements, and some of the worldbuilding, it surely reminds some fans of your typical shonen anime.
Creators DiMartino and Konietzko know that their series isn’t necessarily an anime, although they drew a lot of inspiration from anime when it came to making Avatar. As per Entertainment Weekly, DiMartino mentioned in the Avatar: Braving the Elements podcast that they “wanted to do a love letter to anime.” It was also mentioned in the podcast that Japanese directors would have different answers when categorizing their “American anime.”
So by textbook definition (outside of Japan), Avatar: The Last Airbender isn’t an anime. But there are a lot of elements in the story that were definitely influenced by anime and Asian culture.
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