Anime and Art CAN Coexist: A Student's Perspective on how Anime Shaped their Artistic Abilities

Abstract

Art teachers and students have argued for years on whether or not anime is art and if it belongs in the art classroom. Teachers don't like it for its generic qualities and exaggerated proportions and students love it for the creative freedom and wild expression. By ignoring anime altogether, art instructors are shunning an entire global art culture and dismissing a very important part of modern Japanese culture. Plus, they are missing out on ways to connect with their students. Using anime in the art classroom doesn't necessarily mean drawing fanart or anime characters as they appear in comics or on TV. This essay explains how teachers can apply the art curriculum within their state in a fun creative way that allow students to analyze and discuss existing anime works they are passionate about in an academically approved way in addition to improving their own works. And it illustrates the importance that anime has on young artists lives.