Japanimation
|ja-pa-ni-ma-tion|
/ˌdʒæpəˈnɪmeɪʃən/
Japanese animation
Etymology
'Japanimation' originates from English, specifically a blend of the words 'Japan' and 'animation', where 'Japan' referred to the country and 'animation' meant 'animated film or cartoon'.
'Japanimation' was coined and popularized in Western media in the 1970s as a marketing label for imported Japanese animated works; over time the Japanese-derived term 'anime' (from Japanese 「アニメ」) supplanted it in both English and international usage.
Initially it meant 'animation from Japan', but over time the term fell out of favor and came to be seen as outdated or carrying a dismissive nuance; 'anime' is now the preferred term.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a (historical) term used in English to refer to animated films and television programs produced in Japan; particularly used in Western media in the 1970s–1990s and now often regarded as outdated or potentially pejorative. (synonymous with 'Japanese animation')
In the 1970s many TV guides in the West labeled imported cartoons as 'Japanimation'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/15 07:55