Animation

In the early 20th century the film industry was emerging and provided new opportunities for illustrators, particularly in the United Sates which resulted in the standard setting success of such animation houses as Disney and the Fleisher Brothers (Popeye, Betty Boop and later, Superman). Japanese artists were strongly influenced by these early works of American animation. However, while the first flickers of Japanese animation can be dated to 1914, the cultural isolation of the Japanese hindered the evolution of the medium until after World War II.

Manga and anime developed slowly for ten years after the war, before maturing into a medium that has since defined a countries creative expression of the 20th century. This expression is two-fold, and examines new frontiers through a unique visual language and a narrative form previously reserved for live action television and film.