Like some people say
"Different people have different preferences".
Episodes and Storylines:- Most of anime, there are certain plots and storylines to follows. If you're an anime viewer (whether if you're and avid or not), you need to understand the whole plot by watching episodes from beginning to end...or else you'll need to catch up if you miss one.
- Most of western cartoons have episodes which shows their usual routine and how they live as themselves. It's okay if you miss any episodes unless if there's "Part 1" or continuing sequel.
- There is much involvement and imagination in anime world. Perhaps religion in Japan called "Shinto" would do. While in Western cartoons are rather avoid much "taboo" when it comes to liberal and censorship attitudes.
Physical look and styles:- Early anime creators (such as Tezuka and Miyazaki) were influenced with Walt Disney's works and other classical 20th century characters in western cartoons. Nowadays, western cartoon creators is being influenced with anime (e.g. Totally Spies, Avatar, etc.). Both styles are just in cycle.
- Alot of anime deals with mature issues even if the output comes in cute way. Western cartoons oppose the anime styles.
- Anime has creative styles which is the reason why they produce a lot of anime shows every year. Same does in western cartoons although has limitations and stiffness.
- Usually in animation, both anime and western cartoon
are not so bad.
Physics:- There are few relations in anime from real life. Some anime shows, can be tend to do impossible things that even defies the rule in Physics (e.g. zero gravity from Dragon Ball series, infinite ammunition from Gundam series, etc.)
- Most of cartoons especially from classics (e.g. Looney Tunes, Mickey Mouse, Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, etc.) also defies the rule in Physics (e.g. falling from the ground and still alive, walking on air, etc.)
Stereotypes:- Anime can be mature or cute. There are also common anime stereotypes like puppy dog eyes, spiky hair, sketchy reactions, etc. Those stereotypes first introduced in Ozamu Tezuka's works.
- Western cartoons tend to be specific in order to appeal viewers especially kids. Caricatures is also the reason why western cartoons tend to be realistic and they have better anatomy design compare to anime.
Genre and Ages:- Many anime contains almost all genres and all for ages - from toddlers to adults. It must be the reason why a lot of people appreciate anime.
- Most of the western cartoons contains limitations and may be intentionally just for kids (also for adults who like to watch classic cartoons). There are also western cartoons for adults although there are few.
Adaptation:- Almost half percent in anime is based on the manga. The manga-ka (creators) are credited in many anime series. Other percentages are used in non-manga adaptations and OVA (Original Video Animation).
- In the mid-20th century and even present, western cartoon creators are used in making their own characters in animation then if there's a chance, jump into comics. It is also oppose on anime's adaptation. Not of all cartoons doesn't have adaptations, there are some cartoons that are based on comics (e.g. Marvel and DC comics).
Fandom:(Fandom-term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest).- In these days, many people around the world are amazed in anime. They have many of their fan stuff about how much they like that kind of anime - from anime fan sites, anime fan club, fanfiction to fanart. What's more incredible about anime fandom is that many anime fans doing "cosplay" in many anime events. If you're into drawing then there's a anime fan comic known as "doujinshi". As of recent time, there are also "subbed" anime shows and "scanlations" of manga for anime fans who can't afford to buy the original in stores.
- Like in anime, there are many cartoons that builds it own fandom. The difference is unlike the fandom of anime, the fandom in cartoons are slowly fading when the cartoon series itself canceled in television. Cosplay are quite rare for western cartoon fans.
Popularity:- The major driving force of popularity of anime is that their content and their widespread. Usually in anime, you can see based on samurai, ninjas, giant robots, space adventures, and school life. What's more is that anime is much focused on fantasy rather than realism which gave the storyline with weird premises but seemed normal storylines. Western cartoons are also followed the format but not the culture impact in anime. Also, cartoons' popularity can be targeted to many people in all ages. The closeness between western cartoons from eastern cartoons is that their industry are both faithfully strong in producing and exporting the series....meaning they're already the part of entertainment.
- Cartoons and anime are potentially the same.
References:* http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/editorial/1998-07-09
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime-influenced_animation
* http://animeotaku.wordpress.com/2006/07/18/cartoons-vs-anime/
