Significant Events in the History of Anime

By . . . . . .

  • First Animation produced is Katsudō Shashin (活動写真, "Motion Picture"), C.1907

    Katsudō Shashin is a 3 second animation of a boy in a sailor uniform. It was found on a film collection in 2005 by Natsuki Matsumoto. It was stencilled onto 50 frames on a strip of celluloid.

  • The first animated film released is Dekobō shingachō – Meian no shippai (凸坊新画帳・名案の失敗, Bumpy new picture book – Failure of a great plan)

    This film was made by Ōten Shimokawa in 1917. The film was produced with chalk on a board and each frame, the previous frame would be erased. It is a lost film.

  • The first Japanese animated film to be publicly shown is Imokawa Mukuzo Genkanban no Maki (芋川椋三玄関番の巻, The Story of the Concierge Mukuzo Imokawa)

  • The first Japanese animated film to incorporate voice acting is Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka (力と女の世の中, Within the World of Power and Women)

    This film was made by Kenzō Masaoka. The voice actors for the characters were actual actors.

  • The first fully cel animated film is 茶釜音頭 (The Dance of the Chagamas)

  • The first feature length Japanese animated film is Momotarō: Umi no Shinpei (桃太郎 海の神兵, Momotaro: Sacred Sailors)

    This film was made by Mitsuyo Seo, who was ordered to produce a propaganda film by the Japanese Naval Ministry..

  • First Japanese Animation to be broadcast on television is Mogura no Abanchūru (もぐらのアバンチュール, Mole's Adventure).

    The film is 9 minutes long and was broadcast twice.

  • The first colour anime feature film is Hakujaden (白蛇伝, The Tale of the White Serpent).

  • The first televised Japanese animated film is Mittsu no Hanashi (新しい動画 3つのはなし, Three Tales)

  • The first anime televised series, Otogi Manga Calendar (おとぎマンガカレンダー) begins airing.

    The series is aired until 1964.

  • The longest running Anime, Sazae-san (サザエさん), begins.

    The anime series recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

  • The first space opera series, Uchū Senkan Yamato (宇宙戦艦ヤマト, Space Battleship Yamato) is broadcast.

    It is considered one of the most influential anime series in Japan, marking a turning point toward works with increasing complexity.

  • Kaze no Tani no Naushika (風の谷のナウシカ, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is produced by Hayao Miyazaki..

    The film is a success, allowing for many experimental and ambitious projects to happen.

  • Studio Ghibli is established by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Toshio Suzuki and Yasuyoshi Tokuma.

    Studio Ghibli is known for its feature length works. Its most notable work is Spirited Away (2001) by Hayao Miyazaki.

  • Controversial, but successful anime Neon Genesis Evangelion is produced by Hideaki Anno.

  • Ghibli film Princess Mononoke (1997) became the most expensive anime movie, costing $20 million (USD).

  • Period: to

    Anime feature films began being nominated for film awards in this decade

    In 2002, Spirited Away won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003.

  • Spirited Away (2001), the current highest grossing film of all time is produced by Studio Ghibli.

  • Period: to

    Streaming services such as Netflix are becoming more involved in the production and licensing of anime.

  • Kimi No Na Wa (君の名は, Your Name) is released and overtakes Spirited Away as highest grossing anime film.

    Your Name was a major commercial success, with box office sales of $361 million (USD). Spirited Away later regained this position.