Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
A. Background
of the Study
Anime and Cartoons are types of shows than can be
watched by majority of children and some teenagers or adults. These two are animations
that reflect two cultures. Anime reflects for Japanese culture while Cartoons
reflect for American culture. That’s the reason why these two have their own
differences. Anime and Cartoons are usually for viewer’s entertainment. Anime
is an animation which originated from Japan and is now popular
internationally. They say that it is more popular than Cartoons which
originated from America
which is also known internationally. But majority of the viewers are saying
that Anime is much better than Cartoons because of their differences. (http://colpolbear.hubpages.com/hub/japaneseanimevsamericancartoons)
American
and Japanese animations, or cartoons and anime respectively, are contributors
to cultural imparting to the children of both countries. Anime and Cartoons are not only
for kids but also for adults. I agree on that because there are really scenes
where it includes death, perversity, and other ethical dilemma
that kids must not watch. Anime doesn't
draw back from encircling things that typically don't show up in Western
cartoons aimed at roughly the same age brackets: sexuality, violence, etc. To
that end, there are a fair number of shows that are definitely not for younger
viewers.
The Japanese tropes are expressed in an anime which it
includes some of the Japanese cultures occurring in Japan. As said
in the article, storylines of cartoons are self-contained which means it
doesn't last long while in anime it prolongs for unending seasons or series
just like Naruto, One Piece, and Fairy tale. When it comes to storytelling,
anime came up with the scenes from movies or TV shows which makes it
interesting and enjoyable. It is highly detailed and it contains more sense
than cartoons. Regarding the art styles of anime, they really do have big eyes
and small mouth. With that kind of features, it makes the character cuter than
cartoons because cartoons often look weird just like Phineas from
the Cartoon entitled Phineas and Ferb. And last but not the least, the
controversial subject matter. It discusses about the
things occurring in a certain scene in an anime or a cartoon. Most of
the anime contains violence and sexuality which is not shown in cartoons.
It's one of the reasons why cartoons can be boring sometimes.
The averaged hours of a child from the time he
begins to attend school is 13,000 hours. While the averaged time of a child
watching cartoons are 18,000 hours. It is the same from the time the school
started until the graduation. It also affects the children psychologically when
it comes to violence. Since they're exposed to cartoons with such violence, the
result is they're not afraid anymore of experiencing violence. There are also
subliminal messages that children sees and it is not necessary for them to see
it. It is said that cartoons is unhealthful for children because it is being
interactive with any environment which enhances brain to its successful
development. U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher stated that children become
aggressive and harmful because of the violence that the cartoons have with it.
I prefer watching anime than cartoons. Why? Cartoons
can be boring sometimes where as anime more is entertaining because it
expresses more of the viewer's emotions. For me, cartoons give more attention
on the kiddy side. How did I say so? Their drawings are too simple. It looks
like a doodle; there are square faces, triangle, and many other kinds of
shapes. Isn't it weird? Another thing that makes me want anime more than
cartoons is its story plot. Anime's plot is more interesting than cartoons
because it contains more sense and sometimes gives us a lesson in our life.
While cartoons gives pure humor and it contains lot of the childish ways.
“More aggressive behavior in a young child's life is
caused by frequently watched entertainment that incorporates violence in
It." stated by U.S.
Surgeon General David Satcher. This
statement is believable because observations of parents are also like that.
Children who suddenly become violent can be an effect from watching a cartoon.
Watching cartoons can lead children to negative
things such as violence. Parents must guide their children whenever they watch
cartoons because there are things that are prohibited for children. For me, I
think it is not advisable for children to watch cartoons because I noticed that
there are more negative things than positive things a child can get from those
cartoons.
The focus of this research paper is to
know the difference between anime and western cartoons and also its effects of
on children so this paper won’t talk about the history of anime and cartoons or
its genres.
B. Statement
of the Problem
This study aims to answer this question:
1. Which is more advisable for children to watch, Western
Cartoons or Anime?
C. Significance
of the Study
Children. This research paper will help the children who watch
cartoons because this paper will distinguish the different effects of cartoons
and anime on children. Usually anime and cartoons are watched by children
because they are animations that are normally designed for kids. This paper can
help children to motivate them and discipline them by their parents.
Cartoonists and Animators. Cartoonists and animators can benefit from this research
paper because they can improve their works when it comes to its features and
graphics. They can also improve their story plot and put more essence in what
they’re doing.
Future Researchers. This
study can help future researchers to make similar studies especially when it’s
about cartoon animations. They can base some of their topics with this study.
People nowadays are getting addicted on watching anime and cartoons especially
when it’s online. This study can also be a source for the formats or concepts
when it comes to research paper writing.
D.
Scope and Delimitation
This study focuses on the effects of
anime and cartoons on children. Children watches anime and cartoons that
develops something within them and this study will find out incidents occurred
because of children watching anime and cartoons. Another thing to be found out
is the different subliminal meanings behind anime and cartoons.
Due to time constraints, this study
will no longer discuss other genres of anime and cartoons. Manga will not be
discussed even if it’s related to anime. The respondents can be the Parents of
children who watch anime or cartoons or children who watch anime and cartoons.
I chose the parents to be one of my respondents so that I could get their point
of view of observation to their child when it watches anime or cartoons. On the
other hand, I chose the children who watch anime and cartoons as my main
respondent for this study because I can have their own perspectives when it
comes to anime and cartoons.
E. Materials
and Methods
This research will use a Descriptive-Qualitative
research since the aim of this study is to enumerate the differences of anime
and cartoons and explain the effects of anime and cartoons on children. This
method is defined as “The qualitative paradigm
aims to understand the social world from the viewpoint of respondents, through
detailed descriptions of their cognitive and symbolic actions, and through the
richness of meaning associated with observable behavior.” (Wildemuth, 1993). By conceptualizing this
method, the descriptive-qualitative method is an appropriate method to use for
this study.
Information
relevant to the study was gathered from various reference materials such as
online articles and different knowledgeable websites like about.com or
Wikipedia.com. Surveys on children who watches anime and cartoons will be
implemented for this research to strengthen this study.
F.
Definition of Terms
Anime. Japanese animated productions, and come
in all formats and include animation
creations. The
word is the abbreviated pronunciation of "animation" in Japanese. In English, the term
is defined as a Japanese-disseminated animation style often characterized by colorful graphics, vibrant
characters and fantastic themes.
Animation. A rapid display of a
sequence of images to create an illusion of
movement. The most common method of presenting animation is as a motion picture
or video program, although there are other methods.
Animator. An artist who creates multiple images that give an illusion of
movement called animation when
displayed in rapid sequence; the images are called frames and key frames.
Manga. Comics created in Japan,
or by Japanese creators
in the Japanese language, conforming
to a style developed in Japan
in the late 19th century. They
have a long, complex pre-history in earlier Japanese art.
Chapter 2
DISCUSSION
Which is more advisable for children to watch,
Western Cartoons or Anime?
Definition of Western Cartoons and Anime
Definition of ‘Western Cartoons’ is basically an
entertainment which is for kids. They are the ones which kids get addicted to.
How about Anime? How would you define it? Anime is also a type of cartoon
animation but they are made by Japanese people. This research paper will
identify which is more advisable for children to watch, Western Cartoons or
Anime?
Around 1990’s western cartoons became
famous until it became the children’s basic entertainment in their life.
There‘s the famous Tom and Jerry show, the Looney Tunes, and etc. On the other
side of animation, during the 1980’s anime became famous outside Japan.
There’s the famous anime which was Astroboy and Black Jack OVA. They serve as
an entertainment for children but there are things that limit them to watch
those shows.
What poses as a challenge in watching
western cartoons and anime is the effects they imply to the ones who watch
them. It is said that cartoons
is unhealthful for children because it is being interactive with any
environment which enhances brain to its successful development. U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher stated that children become aggressive and harmful because of the violence that the
cartoons have with it.
Difference of Western Cartoons and
Anime
A. Japanese tropes
The Japanese tropes are expressed in
an anime which it includes some of the Japanese cultures occurring in
Japan.
B. Storylines
Cartoons
are self-contained which means it doesn't last long while in anime it prolongs
for unending seasons or series just like Naruto, One Piece, and Fairy tale.
C. Storytelling
Anime came up with the scenes from movies or TV
shows which makes it interesting and enjoyable. It is highly detailed and it
contains more sense than cartoons.
D. Art styles
In anime, they really do have big eyes and small
mouth. With that kind of features, it makes the character cuter than cartoons
because cartoons often look weird just like Phineas from
the Cartoon entitled Phineas and Ferb.
E. Controversial subject matter
It discusses about the things occurring in
a certain scene in an anime or a cartoon. Most of the anime contains violence and sexuality which
is not shown in cartoons. It's one of the reasons why cartoons can be boring
sometimes.
Effects of Cartoons and Anime on
children
A. Negative Effects
The averaged hours of a child from the
time he begins to attend school is 13,000 hours. While the averaged time of a
child watching cartoons are 18,000 hours. It is the same from the time the
school started until the graduation. It also affects the
children psychologically when it comes to violence. Since they're
exposed to cartoons with such violence, the result is they're not afraid
anymore of experiencing violence. There are also subliminal messages that
children sees and it is not necessary for them to see it. It is said that
cartoons is unhealthful for children because it is being interactive with
any environment which enhances brain to its successful development. "More
aggressive behavior in a young child's life is caused by frequently watched
entertainment that incorporates violence in it." stated by U.S. Surgeon General
David Satcher. This statement
is believable because observations of parents are also like that. Children who
suddenly become violent can be an effect from watching a cartoon.
"Kids learn quicker and take
in more when their young" said
by Andrew Pahel. It is
true that kids learn quicker than the old ones. They have a fast memory that
let them memorize or remember things quickly. In short, things can influence
kids more than the old ones or teenagers. Cartoons that shows violence which
are considered as entertainment by kids because they didn't know that it
influences them in a bad way.
Since kids now a days tend to stay at
home and watch cartoons, a parent or a family member can easily notice when a
child changes. Some might not be physically changed but psychologically they
are influenced by the things they watch. One thing that the authors mentioned
in this article is how the 'Winx Club' cartoon influenced a child. Every time
they go to malls, the child always want to be in a wardrobe which she sees in
Winx Club and she even wants to shop just like the characters in Winx Club.
Also one thing mentioned in this article is about a child who plays pranks on
his brother and it is not good. A teacher once said that students from her
class are always picking fights in the class. Those examples prove that
cartoons are not good entertainment for kids.
"Give your children time to
watch cartoons as it is the most common source for education, expose them with
programs which are appropriate as per parental guidance."said by a psychology student, Amna Ejaz
B. Positive Effects
There are cartoons which gives knowledge to
children. Since most of a child's parent is busy at work,
the tendency is a child to watch cartoons all day. Some cartoons help
a toddler or a child to be familiar of the words together with its meaning.
Children's imagination can be improved by watching cartoons.
One of the famous cartoons is Dora the
Explorer. This is an example of an educational cartoon. Dora teaches children
how to count, different kinds of animals, courtesy, and sometime she gives
Spanish words and its meaning. It is true that there are cartoons that give
positive effects on children. My niece likes Dora so much and I think it's good
that she watches a cartoon like this. She learned how to count and also
different kinds of colors. It is great when a child is having fun while
learning.
Naresh Samal stated "When
we are born we have the capacity for motivation, experience, and training, and
because of this our minds are very impressionable." Yes we are born with those abilities.
Our minds can think widely with the help of our imagination. Motivation and
experience are considered to be a key to success. Our minds are considered as
very impressionable because we can think of something without letting someone
know it. We are capable of doing things that we want or what we need.
C. Conclusions
Between anime and cartoons, which one
should be encouraged depending on age group?
1. Children
Children are the ones who like to
impersonate a cartoon character which means they can do things that can hurt
people especially when the cartoon or anime he’s watching is violent. But for
them, Cartoons should be encouraged for them to watch, those cartoons in which
they can earn knowledge. They can watch other cartoons like Looney tunes but
they must be disciplined by their parents to control the child from being
addicted to it.
2, Teenagers
As for today’s generation, majority of
teenagers watch Anime than cartoons. I encourage teenagers to watch anime because
one reason is most of the cosplayers are between this age group. Anime
characters are more creative than cartoon characters. The controversial subject
matter and storytelling of anime is more advisable for teenagers to watch.
There are genres such as high school life and the most famous genre which is
the romance. We all know that relationships between teenagers are too
mainstream nowadays so we can relate their relationship with the ones in the
anime.
3. Adults
If I’m going to encourage adults of which
must be encourage for them to watch, I’d say that they can watch both but it is
better if I encourage them to watch cartoons. As I said in this research paper,
cartoons have many subliminal messages which are not for children. Basically,
those subliminal messages are more likely to be understood by the adults who
watch them. They can understand things which are shown in cartoons such as
sexuality. Some of the cartoons which are advisable for adults are the Family
Guy and The Simpsons. They contain sexuality and adult humors that can make it
more interesting for adults to watch, not for children and teenagers.
Cartoon watching will be regulated
Cartoon watching should be regulated
by parents. Children should have time allotted for reading books. Regulation of
cartoons should be implied by parents to their children to avoid having the
negative effects to them. Having regulation will help the viewers to be
disciplined and know their limits, especially the children.
Solutions to remedy the current situation
One of the top remedies to do is to regulate the
viewers who watch cartoons. If children are obliged to study in the morning, I
commend that cartoons for kids must be shown on television during in the
afternoon so they won’t be having a hard time to balance their studies and the
time for entertainment which is watching cartoons. Cartoons for adults must be
shown during night or midnight. Who are the ones awake during those times? The
adults, right? In this way, children who watch cartoons with violence or
subliminal messages can avoid seeing those cartoons because only cartoons that
are advisable to them will be shown in daytime.
Another remedy is to advice the
children’s parent to make a schedule in which kids are allowed to watch
television. Maybe a planner would help in organizing their time for this. We
all know that once a person is addicted to something, we can’t stop them easily
from doing the things they must not do or we can’t control them with their
limitations. Organizing schedules would help to balance everything they need to
do and the things that they want to do.
If you are not aware of what a child
can do with violence, well you must be. They may seem that they're good but you
won't know if they have plans like killing someone or do something inappropriate.
Parents need to keep an eye with their child's activities especially in
school. It is not normal for a kid to fight with someone or even play with
swords, guns, and knives. Children must be careful in every thing they do.
Who should regulate the cartoons that
are produced and distributed? Is it the government, networks or parents?
The government can do a rule in which
networks are obliged to do an appropriate time slot for showing cartoons which
was I had mentioned a while ago. When the network doesn’t follow that rule,
government can collect money because of not following their orders. The people
who must be really regulating the children from watching cartoons are their
parents. First of all, children must obey their parents at all time. What
parents will say must be obeyed by children. So if they’ll prohibit children
from watching a cartoon that is not for them, they will stop watching it. The
only thing that the networks can do is to manage their shows on time. They can
put some reminder like “Parental Guidance is required for children”. They
cannot say what the viewers will watch. It is still depending on how parents
will discipline their child. Now if a parent’s child is irresponsible enough to
guide their child, this is what makes the problem or this is what makes the
situation in a bad way. Children will become addicted to cartoons which will
lead them into things like gaining the negative effects of watching cartoons
and misbalanced time for studying and watching television.
Parents are the ones to blame if they
won’t do something to regulate their children from watching cartoons. It is not
a reason to say that they are busy at work because their top priority must be
their kids and know what is good for them.
Chapter 3
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
SUMMARY
This paper attempted to determine the difference of
Western cartoons and Anime, the effects of it on children who watch it and
which is more advisable for children to watch.
The research design used in this study
is the descriptive research method wherein research data from different writers
and some statements from psychologists were shown. The research answers the
questions asked within the paper. The research findings are the following:
1.
Not all cartoons
are bad for children. There are cartoon shows that give knowledge to children
without showing subliminal messages or inappropriate things to the one who
watches it.
2.
Cartoons and
Anime are both violent for children to watch but there are some other shows
that don’t show violence.
3.
They differ a
lot when it comes on how animators make them. Especially the graphics and the
storyline that cartoons and anime have.
4.
Majority of the
children who watches cartoons gains negative effects instead of gaining positive
effects from it.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of this study,
the following conclusions are drawn:
1.
Parents should
really guide their children in every thing they do especially when watching
cartoons because there are things that a child must not see like violence and
some have sexuality.
2.
Children must
have self control regarding the addiction on watching cartoons. Time must be
balanced especially when it comes to studies. Discipline must be implemented
for them to not gain negative effects from watching cartoons and anime.
RECOMMENDATIONS
After drawing the conclusion of the
study, the researchers hereby make the following suggestions/recommendations:
1.
In watching
cartoons or anime, we must be observant enough to notice things that are not
necessary for children to watch. Parents should know what their children must
watch and must not watch. Avoid children from impersonating cartoon/anime
characters because sometimes it might lead to a bad experience or situation.
2.
Students who
are mostly fond of watching cartoons or anime should design a research on
things that might help children to cope up with the negative experiences they
had from watching cartoons and anime, especially the psychology students
because behavior is the most affected part for children who watch them.
References:
- Electronic Media
Colpobear. “Japanese Anime vs. American Cartoons - A
Comparison” Hubpages. 13 June 2013. Web 20 January 2013.
