| Anime has become a phenomena. More and more | | | | the "Dragonball Z" characters where they even use |
| Anime series and movies come out each year and the | | | | "power levels" to show the improvement in a |
| population of Anime fans around the world keeps on | | | | character's fighting skill. In the sports Anime titles "Slam |
| increasing as well. Also, the popularity of a particular | | | | Dunk: Team Shohoku" and "Hajime No Ippo", the main |
| Anime title that became a hit TV series usually lasts | | | | characters learn different techniques in every match. |
| for years. Eventhough the show has ended on the TV | | | | Often, the most exciting moment in an episode of an |
| station where it was aired, fans will search for their | | | | Anime series, is when the villain and the other |
| own copies of the series and watch it over and over. | | | | characters are surprised by the hero's new ability. |
| One might be wondering: What's the secret behind | | | | Making the viewers watch out for the episodes to |
| Anime's success? What does Anime have that often | | | | come. |
| cannot be found in its Western counterparts? In this | | | | Most Anime series manage to get the viewers |
| article, I'll try to point out some of the key factors | | | | "hooked". By purposely keeping the story hanging at |
| behind the success of Anime. | | | | the end of every episode, viewers tend to watch out |
| Exciting action and complexity draws out a wider | | | | for the next and they would never want to miss out |
| range of viewers. | | | | and episode. On most action Anime series, the battle |
| While cartoons, that were made in Western countries | | | | between the hero and the villain lasts for several |
| mainly targets children as its main audience, Anime, on | | | | episodes while keeping each episode different from |
| the other hand, targets a wider range of viewers. As a | | | | the other. |
| matter of fact, a big part of the die-hard Anime fan | | | | Although there are more reasons why fans keep |
| population are teenagers and people in their early to | | | | going after their favorite Anime titles, we've pointed out |
| mid 20's. In most cases, while children enjoy the | | | | three of the most common factors. (1) It can attract |
| spectacular actions and fight scenes, adults and young | | | | more viewers because it purposely targets a wider |
| adults appreciate the complexity of the story and its | | | | range of audiences. (2) The way the Anime |
| emotional content. Most Anime series are mixes of | | | | characters grow and improve provides more |
| comedy, action, and drama. | | | | excitement to the viewers. This is also one of the key |
| Main characters grow and develop their abilities as the | | | | factors behind the success of Role-Playing Games |
| story progress. | | | | (RPG). And finally, (3) viewers are attached to their |
| Unlike in most western cartoons, wherein once the | | | | favorite series because of the way Anime writers |
| hero has established its character there's a little room | | | | intentionally ends every episode by not giving a definite |
| (often none) for improvement, Anime characters grow | | | | conclusion to the story. |
| as the story goes along. A good example would be | | | | |