The animated series “Avatar: The Last Airbender” has captivated audiences worldwide with its stunning visuals and has drawn significant inspiration from Japanese animation. This leads to the question: is the show produced by Nickelodeon considered “anime”? The answer isn’t straightforward, as it heavily relies on one’s definition of the term “anime.”
If we define “anime” as “a type of animated film created in Japan,” then the answer is no. “Avatar: The Last Airbender” was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio, which is based in the United States. From this perspective, “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is an animated work that draws inspiration from anime, but it is not an anime in the traditional sense.
However, in Japan, the term “anime” is used for all forms of animation, including works created outside Japan. According to this definition, “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” along with all other animated films and television shows, falls under the umbrella of anime. Nevertheless, some people, adhering to a stricter interpretation, argue against this categorization, suggesting that viewing shows like “Avatar” as anime undermines cultural nuances.
Even the creators of “Avatar,” DiMartino and Konietzko, have expressed their discomfort with labeling their work as anime. In a 2007 interview with IGN, the creators acknowledged the interviewer’s assertion that the show “is not anime.” However, DiMartino admitted that “a lot of the inspiration for Avatar comes from anime” and expressed hope that their work would attract anime enthusiasts.
Earlier this year, during a Nickelodeon podcast, DiMartino and Konietzko reiterated their views on classifying “Avatar: The Last Airbender” as anime. In an episode of the series “Avatar: Brave the Elements,” the creators mentioned that even Japanese filmmakers would encounter difficulties categorizing “Avatar” as “American animation.”
“You could talk to 20 directors here in Japan… and I guarantee you would get 20 different answers,” DiMartino said. Konietzko added that while creating Avatar, he was less concerned about its anime classification and more focused on capturing the “spirit” of Japanese animation.
In summary, the question of whether “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is considered “anime” is a contentious topic that largely depends on individual perspectives and the definitions applied to the term “anime.” What is clear, however, is that the series has garnered a massive following, regardless of how it is classified.
