A Guide to Japanese Animation since 1917

While anime in its modern form has only been around for approximately the last 40 years, animation in Japan extends back over twice as long, as this work proves. In the early days of anime, independent animators worked vigorously to produce what eventually would pave the way to Astro Boy in 1963. In the 1980s, a boom of independent studios and a dramatic influx of money produced some of the most diverse anime series ever.

The Anime Encyclopedia includes information about animation in Japan dating back to 1917, with pictures from productions as early as 1924. The bulk of information concerns titles from 1979 onward, but many earlier anime series also grace the pages of the Encyclopedia.

Titles are generally ordered by the most logical English name. Instead of "Chiisana Obake", you will find this series under the English translation "Little Ghosts". Sometimes, however, popular fan-used names are listed instead of the official English title. "Neon Genesis Evangelion" is listed simply as "Evangelion", for example. To save on needless searching, the appendix in the back lists every title, including the Japanese and alternate English titles. If you know a title exists, but can't find it in the Encyclopedia, the appendix will most likely list it.

Each entry contains a listing for the Japanese title (JPN), alternative English

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