Globalization

Globalization is defined by merriam-webster's dictionary as "the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets". It is defined by wikipedia as the process of international integration arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture. Music is the world's most universal form of communication. If you listen to songs in different languages you might not understand what the lyrics mean, but you can understand the emotion behind it. Now take music and combine it with images and you'll have ideas for anyone with eyes and ears to adopt. Japan is known for its ancient traditions as well as its modern technological empire and perhaps its most popular export, anime. Anime started in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century when Japanese filmmakers experimented with animation techniques that were being explored in the West. In the 1970's Japan's anime grew to look differently than its western counterparts and then became mainstream in Japan by the 1980s. The popularity of anime in the U.S. in the late 90's and early 2000's came from shows that were adaptions of anime novels called "Manga". Fans could read ahead in the storyline while waiting for the release of the english version of the anime. For more impatient fans there were released Japanese versions with sub-titles. Along with other popular exports from Toyotas and Hondas to Nintendo and PlayStation, Japan had left its mark of western culture. However globalization is not a one way street and western culture has crept its way to the land of the rising sun. Hip-Hop culture has taken Japan by storm prompting some of the younger generation to take on the fashion and music originating in the South Bronx.

History of Japanese Anime