Have you ever wondered what the first Japanese animation of all time is? What is the oldest anime? What is the first colored anime? What is the first OVA? What is the first anime of each genre?
Some believe that the title of the oldest anime goes to “Astro Boy” by Osamu Tezuka, which first aired in Japan in 1963. But is that true?
In fact, Astro Boy was a driving force behind anime and manga in its early success, but the first Japanese animation is much older and dates back to before World War I.
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What is the oldest anime of all?
According to Natsuki Matsumoto, the first animated film produced in Japan may have originated in 1907. The film is called Katsudō Shashin (Activity Photo) which shows a boy writing on a blackboard; it was first discovered in 2005.
The first Japanese animated films were presented in 1917 and 1918, but they are unknown, and some of them were found only 90 years later in an antique shop in Osaka.
The oldest anime is a film called Namakura Katana (A Dull Sword). It is a comedy that tells the story of a samurai warrior who buys a dull sword and, when trying to test it on people, gets beaten up.
Another film released in 1918 was Utrashima Tarou, a famous story from Japanese folklore about a fisherman invited to a submarine castle after saving a sea turtle on a beach.
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The first anime in the West
Astro Boy is often credited as the first anime to be exported to the West, although this is a somewhat controversial claim.
Another contender for the title of oldest anime is Toei Animation’s 1965, Sally, the Witch. This show was the first anime series to be directed by a woman and is the oldest surviving anime series still in existence.
Another anime from the same era is “Speed Racer,” released in 1967. This anime follows the adventures of a young race car driver, Speed Racer, who competes in races around the world to become the best race driver. This anime was also revolutionary for its time, as it featured a unique approach to character design and animation.
We recommend reading: Speed Racer – One of the first animes in Brazil
The oldest anime film
Although the oldest animes are short films, the first feature-length Japanese animated films were released in the 50s and 60s.
The first anime film released is Momotaro’s Divine Sea Warrior from 1945. It is a musical film with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. During World War II, the Japanese army commissioned films to showcase their achievements.
Others credit Hakujaden, released by Toei Animation in 1958, as the oldest anime film. In this feature-length film, we follow the adventures of a boy named Haku as he learns the martial art of ninjutsu and fights against a variety of monsters.
FAQ – The oldest of the animes
We have already answered about the anime film and the oldest anime, but what about other questions related to the first anime? Let’s answer some below: (Just click on the question to display the answer).
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