There are a lot of differences betweenanimeand Western cartoons, and an easy way to rile up fans of either medium is to equate the two. Anime relies more on overarching plots andlimited animation, while Western cartoons usually incorporate fluid movement and an emphasis on comedy.
At their core, however, the two are simply different forms of storytelling, and there can be considerable overlap between the fan bases of certain series. If you’re a hardcore anime fan, here are some Western animated series that will give you a similar vibe and be enjoyable to watch.
10The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy
Created By Maxwell Atoms
The early 2000s were a creative golden age forCartoon Network, with manylegendary showsbeginning their run. Just like other shows from that era, Billy & Mandy cemented itself in the minds of audiences and remains highly rewatchable even today.
Billy & Mandy appeals to anime fans because it has a striking visual style, a compelling overarching plot, and doesn’t shy away from mature humour.
Billy & Mandy would sometimes pay tribute to anime, including a Dragon Ball Z-influenced fight scene between the two main characters and a short clip animated in an anime style in the episode ‘My Peeps.’
9RWBY
Created By Monty Oum
RWBY is one of Rooster Teeth’s best works and one of the most notable series to be a product of internet culture. RWBY is a cel-shaded, anime-inspired show with shades of machinima.
RWBY drew attention due to its interesting visual designs and the quality of its animation, and it quickly went viral with Western anime fans. The series came full circle when dubbed in Japanese and aired on Japanese TV.
Machinima is the use of 3D computer software, often video game engines, to create videos.
8Gravity Falls
Created By Alex Hirsch
Visually, Gravity Falls doesn’t seem like it would appeal to anime fans as the show is definitelyDisneyin its aesthetic, with rounded character designs and fluid animation. However, its narrative is as compelling as any anime.
The show centers on a town brimming with mysteries, each building up to an overarching plot. Gravity Falls proved to be popular among anime and video game fans when it aired, even those who considered themselves to have moved on from Western cartoons. After two seasons, the show gracefully bowed out with its story neatly wrapped up.
7Adventures Of The Gummi Bears
Created By Jymn Magon
Adventures of the Gummi Bears was one of the animated shows of the ’80s that convinced studios to step up their output. Unlike many other cartoons of the era, it had high production values and an evocative setting.
The result is a show that, while clearly meant for a younger audience, can be enjoyed by anyone of any age. The animation style is definitively Western, but its focus on adventure sets it apart from other cartoons that focus solely on comedy.
While the idea for Adventures of the Gummi Bears was inspired by gummy bear candies, there is no product placement in the show itself.
6Star Wars: Clone Wars
Created by Genndy Tartakovsky
Star Wars: Clone Wars was a big risk for the franchise because it was one of the first works to explore theClone Wars. Done right, it could kick off a new era of Star Wars storytelling; done poorly, it would have sunk the prospect of further Clone Wars adaptations.
Compounding the danger was Cartoon Network’s handling of the series, with most episodes being only three to five minutes long. This wasn’t a series you caught on TV by chance. It was one you had to be there for. Luckily, Star Wars fans were there for Clone Wars. Its minimalist style, focus on visual spectacle, and sombre tone drew praise.
Despite the similar titles, Star Wars: Clone Wars from 2003 is an entirely different show from 2008’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
5Young Justice
Created By Brandon Vietti And Greg Weisman
The 2010s demanded a certain reinvention of Western animation because many longtime fans of Cartoon Network and Disney were ready to move on.Shows like Young Justiceensured not only that older viewers remained interested, but that anime fans would give Western cartoons a chance.
With a mixture of limited animation in dialogue and fluid action scenes, Young Justice kept all sorts of fans happy. The show features teenage superheroes, and its character-driven story is sure to compel you if you like anime, even if you’re not too familiar with DC properties.
4He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe
Created By Lou Scheimer
Anime fans would be well-served by watching He-Man, not just to appreciate how Western animation developed in the ’80s, but to observe the parallels between this show and the many long-running shounen anime that dominate their medium of choice. He-Man’s popularity soon inspired a sister series, She-Ra: Princess of Power.
3Batman Beyond
Created By Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, And Alan Burnett
Batman Beyond was a cult hit that aged up its superhero protagonist. Featuring an aging Bruce Wayne, Batman Beyond explores interesting themes: now middle-aged, Batman doesn’t struggle just to dispatch criminals but to deter them. The series also incorporated a darker, more cyberpunk tone than previous entries in the Batman canon.
The show wasn’t the biggest ratings success, but it provided fans with a more mature take on DC’s dark horse. Batman Beyond is easy to recommend to anime fans for the same reasons it wasn’t championed by executives: it’s dark, gritty and has a long-running plot rather than self-contained episodic narratives.
2Avatar: The Last Airbender
Created By Michael Dante DiMartino And Bryan Konietzko
Avatar: The Last Airbender is the most frequently cited example of an anime that isn’t anime. Though it wasn’t made in Japan, the show draws such inspiration from East Asian culture, mythology and animation that they are inextricably linked.
With its well-established universe andarc-driven plotline, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a must-watch for anime fans. The show also inspired a sequel series, The Legend of Korra, which is worth watching once you’ve finished the original.
1Samurai Jack
Created By Genndy Tartakovsky
Anime fans love Samurai Jack: the show takes liberal amounts of inspiration from the medium while having an enjoyable narrative and catchy art style in itself. Starring a Japanese samurai prince with an enchanted katana, the show ran for three years on Cartoon Network before being abruptly cancelled.
Over a decade later, fan demand led to a revival in 2017. This final season, darker and more mature in tone, served not only as closure for the series' fans but as more reason than ever for the anime community to embrace the show.
