The first North American anime, or anime produced in North America, can be traced back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. At this time, anime was gaining popularity in Japan and starting to make its way over to the United States. However, the anime that was being imported was often heavily censored or edited to fit American broadcasting standards. This led to the creation of North American anime, which aimed to produce anime that was specifically tailored for American audiences.
One of the earliest examples of North American anime was Star Blazers, which was produced in 1979. This anime was a dubbed version of the Japanese anime Space Battleship Yamato, and it became very popular in the United States. The success of Star Blazers paved the way for more North American anime to be produced, including Robotech, Voltron, and Speed Racer. These early anime were instrumental in introducing American audiences to the genre and helping to lay the foundation for the anime industry in North America.
Another important aspect of North American anime was the localization of anime. This involved changing elements of the anime to better fit the target audience, such as changing character names, dialogue, and cultural references. For example, Voltron was a localization of the Japanese anime GoLion. The localization process was critical in helping to make anime more accessible and appealing to American audiences, as well as helping to establish anime as a distinct genre in North America.
In the 1990s and 2000s, North American anime continued to grow in popularity and become more mainstream. This was due in part to the rise of cable television and the increased availability of anime on home video. Anime conventions also became more popular, providing fans with the opportunity to meet other fans, attend screenings, and purchase merchandise. The Internet also played a significant role in the growth of anime, as fans could now easily access anime online, share information about their favorite shows, and discuss anime-related topics in online forums.
Today, North American anime is a thriving industry, with many popular shows being produced and distributed in the United States and Canada. Some of the most popular North American anime include Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Naruto. The industry continues to grow and evolve, with new technologies and platforms making it easier than ever for anime fans to access their favorite shows.
In conclusion, the first North American anime helped to lay the foundation for the anime industry in North America and played a critical role in introducing the genre to American audiences. Through the localization of anime, North American anime has become a thriving industry, producing some of the most popular and beloved anime shows of all time. The future of North American anime looks bright, and fans can look forward to many exciting new shows in the years to come.
