The First Anime Ever Made: What Was the First Anime and Why It Still Matters
The question of what was the first anime isn’t just about pinpointing a single work—it’s about tracing the birth of an entire medium. In 1907, a 5-second clip called Katsudō Shashin ("Moving Picture") flickered to life in Tokyo, capturing a samurai warrior’s sword slashes. This wasn’t just animation; it was Japan’s first recorded attempt to merge motion with narrative, predating even Disney’s Steamboat Willie by a decade. The creator, Sekien Toriyama (no relation to the Dragon Ball artist), used a primitive camera and hand-drawn frames to achieve the illusion of movement—a technique so rudimentary it relied on a flickering light bulb for projection. Yet, in that fleeting moment, the foundation of what we now call anime was laid.
But here’s the paradox: Katsudō Shashin wasn’t called "anime" then. The term itself—derived from the English "animation"—didn’t enter Japanese lexicon until the 1970s, when Western animation became a global phenomenon. Early Japanese animators, including pioneers like Ōten Shimokawa and Jun’ichi Kōuchi, were experimenting with stop-motion and rotoscoping long before the word existed. Their works, though crude by today’s standards, were the embryonic stages of a medium that would later define Japan’s cultural export powerhouse. The answer to what was the first anime isn’t just a historical footnote; it’s the genesis of a revolution.
Fast-forward to 1917, when Imokawa Mukuzō no Maki ("The Adventures of Imokawa Mukuzō") emerged as the first narrative-driven animated work in Japan. Created by Jun’ichi Kōuchi and Tsuruya Kikujirō, this 10-minute silent film used cutout animation to tell a comedic story about a lazy man’s misadventures. Unlike Katsudō Shashin, it had dialogue (via intertitles), character development, and even a proto-genre blend of slapstick and satire. Yet, despite its innovation, Imokawa Mukuzō remained a niche curiosity. It wasn’t until the 1920s and 1930s—with the rise of sound, color, and studio systems—that animation began its metamorphosis into the art form we recognize today. The journey from what was the first anime to the global phenomenon of Attack on Titan or Demon Slayer is a testament to persistence, technological leaps, and an unyielding creative spirit.
The Complete Overview of What Was the First Anime
The search for what was the first anime often stumbles into a web of misconceptions. Many assume it was Astro Boy (1963), the first TV anime, or Heidi, Girl of the Alps (1974), the first color anime. But these were milestones in televised anime, not its origins. The truth lies in the pre-war era, where animation was a fringe art form, dismissed as a novelty or children’s entertainment. Early animators faced skepticism from critics who viewed their work as inferior to live-action cinema. Yet, these pioneers—working with limited budgets, hand-cranked cameras, and no established industry—laid the groundwork for Japan’s animation golden age.
To understand what was the first anime, one must examine the technological constraints of the time. Katsudō Shashin used a technique called thunder sheet animation, where images were drawn on glass plates and photographed frame-by-frame. The result was jerky, flickering, and barely recognizable as animation by modern standards. Meanwhile, Imokawa Mukuzō employed cutout animation, a method still used in South Park today. Both films were shot in black-and-white, with no sound synchronization (except for live accompaniment in theaters). The lack of color or smooth motion didn’t deter their creators; they were experimenting with the idea of animation, not its perfection.
Historical Background and Evolution
The roots of what was the first anime trace back to the late 19th century, when Western animation techniques trickled into Japan via trade and cultural exchange. The Lumiere Brothers’s cinematic innovations in France inspired Japanese filmmakers to explore motion pictures. By the 1900s, Tokyo’s Asakusa Theater became a hub for experimental films, including early attempts at animation. However, Japan’s animation scene was initially dominated by kamishibai (paper theater) and emakimono (picture scrolls), which told stories through static images. The leap to moving pictures required a radical shift in both technology and artistic vision.
Table of Contents
- The Complete Overview of What Was the First Anime
- Historical Background and Evolution
- Core Mechanisms: How It Works
- Key Benefits and Crucial Impact
- Major Advantages
- Comparative Analysis
- Future Trends and Innovations
- Conclusion
- Comprehensive FAQs
- Q: Is Katsudō Shashin really the first anime, or is it just a trick film?
- Q: Why wasn’t Imokawa Mukuzō more famous in its time?
- Q: Did early anime have any political or social messages?
- Q: How did anime survive the post-WWII economic collapse?
- Q: Are there any surviving copies of the first anime films?
- Q: How did anime transition from black-and-white to color?
- Q: Did early animators ever collaborate with Western studios?
The 1920s marked a turning point. Animators like Ōten Shimokawa (who created Imokawa Mukuzō) and Kenzo Masaoka (the "father of Japanese animation") began producing longer, more ambitious works. Masaoka’s Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka ("The Power of Women in the World") (1929) was one of the first anime to use cel animation, a technique that would later become standard. Meanwhile, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 disrupted production, but it also accelerated the industry’s professionalization. Studios like Makino Productions and Tōhō began investing in animation, treating it as a viable art form rather than a sideshow. By the 1930s, with the rise of Osamu Tezuka’s New Treasure Island (1947), anime had evolved into a distinct visual language—one that would eventually conquer the world.
Core Mechanisms: How It Works
The answer to what was the first anime reveals the primitive yet ingenious methods early animators employed. Katsudō Shashin relied on frame-by-frame photography, where each drawing was slightly altered to create the illusion of motion. The camera’s shutter speed was synchronized with a flickering light bulb (a precursor to modern projectors), forcing the brain to perceive continuity. This technique, though labor-intensive, was the same one used by Émile Cohl in France and Winsor McCay in the U.S. The key difference was Japan’s cultural context: samurai imagery and traditional aesthetics were woven into the animation from the start.
In contrast, Imokawa Mukuzō used cutout animation, where characters were made from cardboard or paper and moved incrementally between frames. This method was cheaper and faster than hand-drawn animation but lacked the fluidity of later techniques. Both films required meticulous planning: animators had to storyboard scenes, time movements precisely, and ensure consistency in character designs. The absence of sound meant visual storytelling had to compensate—hence the exaggerated expressions and physical comedy in Imokawa Mukuzō. These early works weren’t just technical experiments; they were the first attempts to define anime’s identity as a medium that could rival live-action film.
Key Benefits and Crucial Impact
The legacy of what was the first anime extends far beyond nostalgia. These early films were the seeds of an industry now worth over $20 billion annually. They proved that animation could be more than a novelty—it could be a tool for social commentary, emotional storytelling, and even propaganda (as seen in wartime anime like Momotarō: Umi no Shinpei (1945)). The persistence of early animators in the face of financial and technical challenges set a precedent for Japan’s creative resilience. Without Katsudō Shashin and Imokawa Mukuzō, there would be no Studio Ghibli, no Shinichirō Watanabe, and no global anime fandom.
Moreover, the question of what was the first anime forces us to reconsider how we define the medium. Anime isn’t just a genre; it’s a cultural export shaped by Japan’s history, technology, and artistic traditions. Early animators drew from ukiyo-e prints, kabuki theater, and even manga (which predates anime by centuries). This fusion of old and new is what makes anime unique. The first anime films were rough, experimental, and often forgotten—but they were the first steps toward a medium that would redefine global entertainment.
"Animation is the illusion of life. The first anime was the first breath of that illusion in Japan—a spark that refused to be extinguished."
— Osamu Tezuka, "The God of Manga"
Major Advantages
- Cultural Preservation: Early anime incorporated traditional Japanese aesthetics (e.g., ukiyo-e compositions, kabuki expressions), ensuring folk art survived in a modern medium.
- Technological Innovation: Pioneers like Masaoka and Shimokawa developed cel animation and cutout techniques that became industry standards.
- Storytelling Revolution: The shift from static emakimono to moving images allowed for deeper narratives, paving the way for modern anime’s complex plots.
- Global Influence: Japanese animation inspired Western studios (e.g., Disney’s Snow White (1937) borrowed from Tezuka’s dynamic framing).
- Economic Viability: Early anime proved that animation could be profitable, leading to the rise of studios like Toei Animation and Madhouse.
Comparative Analysis
| Early Anime (Pre-1940) | Modern Anime (Post-1980) |
|---|---|
| Production: Hand-drawn, cutout, or thunder sheet; no digital tools. Teams of 5–10 artists. | Production: Digital ink-and-paint, 3D integration, AI-assisted animation. Teams of 500+ for blockbusters. |
| Narrative: Short, experimental, often silent. Focus on visual gags or moral lessons. | Narrative: Serialized, genre-diverse (mecha, romance, horror). Global storytelling (e.g., Cowboy Bebop’s jazz-noir fusion). |
| Audience: Niche (theaters, festivals). Targeted at adults and children equally. | Audience: Mass-market (TV, streaming, merchandising). Demographic-specific (shōnen, shōjo, seinen). |
| Legacy: Laid technical and artistic foundations. Often lost to history. | Legacy: Defines Japan’s soft power. Influences Western media (e.g., Avatar, The Last of Us). |
Future Trends and Innovations
The question of what was the first anime takes on new relevance in an era of AI and virtual production. Modern animators now use tools like Toon Boom Harmony and Unreal Engine to replicate the handcrafted feel of early anime—yet with unprecedented efficiency. Studios like Wit Studio (The Boy and the Beast) are blending 2D and 3D, while Netflix’s Castlevania (2017) proved that anime can thrive in a streaming-first world. The future may lie in interactive anime, where viewers influence story outcomes (as in Bandai Namco’s Tales of games), or VR anime, offering immersive experiences akin to early animators’ wildest dreams.
Yet, the soul of what was the first anime persists in the hands of modern creators. Directors like Makoto Shinkai (Your Name) and Hiroyuki Imaishi (Gurren Lagann) continue to push boundaries, proving that anime’s evolution isn’t about abandoning tradition—it’s about reimagining it. The first anime was a flicker in the dark; today, it’s a global phenomenon. But the core question remains: What will the next "first" anime be?
Conclusion
The journey to answer what was the first anime is more than a historical excavation—it’s a celebration of creativity under constraints. Early animators didn’t have the resources, recognition, or even the term "anime" to describe their work. Yet, they forged a path that would lead to Spirited Away winning an Oscar and Demon Slayer breaking box-office records. Their legacy is a reminder that innovation often begins in obscurity, not acclaim. The first anime wasn’t perfect; it was necessary. Without those 5 seconds of a samurai’s sword, we wouldn’t have the anime industry as we know it today.
As technology advances, the spirit of those pioneers endures. The next time you watch a flawlessly animated battle scene or a heartbreaking emotional climax, remember: it all started with a flickering light bulb and a dreamer’s persistence. The first anime wasn’t just the beginning of a medium—it was the birth of an entire cultural movement. And that movement is still being written.
Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Is Katsudō Shashin really the first anime, or is it just a trick film?
A: While Katsudō Shashin was more of a technical demonstration than a narrative film, it is widely recognized as the first recorded animation in Japan. Trick films (like Eadweard Muybridge’s motion studies) existed earlier, but Katsudō Shashin was the first to use hand-drawn frames for storytelling purposes, making it a foundational work in anime history.
Q: Why wasn’t Imokawa Mukuzō more famous in its time?
A: Imokawa Mukuzō faced several challenges: limited theater screenings, competition from live-action films, and the Great Kanto Earthquake (1923), which destroyed many early animation negatives. Additionally, animation was often seen as a "cheap" alternative to cinema, so studios prioritized live-action. Its obscurity is partly due to historical neglect, but its influence on later animators like Tezuka is undeniable.
Q: Did early anime have any political or social messages?
A: Absolutely. Imokawa Mukuzō, for example, satirized laziness and societal expectations—a common theme in rakugo (Japanese comedy). Wartime anime like Momotarō: Umi no Shinpei (1945) used propaganda to rally national pride. Even pre-war works often reflected gendaishi (contemporary issues), proving anime’s potential as a medium for commentary from its inception.
Q: How did anime survive the post-WWII economic collapse?
A: The post-war period was brutal for Japanese animation. Many studios closed, and surviving works like Panda and the Magic Serpent (1958) were produced with minimal funding. However, the U.S. occupation’s introduction of manga and animation techniques (via John Hubley) revitalized the industry. By the 1960s, TV anime (Astro Boy) became a viable business model, saving the medium from extinction.
Q: Are there any surviving copies of the first anime films?
A: Very few. Katsudō Shashin exists only in fragmented records and still images, while Imokawa Mukuzō has been partially reconstructed from surviving frames. The National Film Archive of Japan and private collectors preserve what remains, but much of early anime was lost to fire, neglect, or wartime destruction. Digital restoration projects (like those by Studio Ghibli) are slowly recovering these lost works.
Q: How did anime transition from black-and-white to color?
A: Color animation in Japan began in the late 1950s, spurred by the success of Toei Animation’s Sora Tobu Dakko-chan (1959), the first color anime TV series. Technological advancements in film stock and printing made color affordable by the 1960s. Heidi, Girl of the Alps (1974) became the first theatrical anime in color, signaling anime’s shift toward visual spectacle—a trend that continues today.
Q: Did early animators ever collaborate with Western studios?
A: Limited collaboration occurred, particularly after WWII. American animators like Fred Ladd (who worked on Astro Boy) introduced Japanese studios to Western techniques, while Japanese animators like Tezuka studied Disney’s animation principles. However, cultural differences and industry isolation meant most early anime remained distinct from Western animation until the 1980s.
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