Hooked on cult cartoons

By SHELLEY HOWELLS

Anime and manga (Japanese cartoon art) attract a madly passionate following all over the world, from wee kids through to academics.

Anime is the animated stuff - Pokemon and DragonballZ, for example - and manga is found in books and comics.

Within these come more specific types, according to anime 101, a primer for the anime uninitiated at Anime Genesis. Shoujo, such as Sailor Moon, are mostly aimed at girls; Shounen action appeals mostly to boys; Seinen storylines tend to revolve round a particular interest such as football; Yaoi or Slash emphasises relationships between males; Hentai (Japanese for pervert) covers anime and manga porn.

These cartoons are not just for kids. Images and storylines range from benign and funny to grotesque and obscene.

Many anime websites, such as Anime Cafe, have a parents' guide to help sort kid-suitable anime from the truly creepoid. With anime and manga getting more and more popular, wise parents get informed: Pokemon and Sailor Moon are harmless enough until you discover their hentai versions. About.com is a good place to start.

We can blame one person for all those big, puppydog eyes: Tezuka Osamu (1928-1989). Also known as God of Manga, this one-man cartoon machine was one of Japan's most prolific, influential and popular manga and anime artists.

His most internationally famous character is AstroBoy (early 60s) and it is said that his Kimba the White Lion (1950s) was the inspiration for Disney's The Lion King.

Tezuka Osamu World is a delightful and busy Flash fan site, worth looking at for the charming English translations alone.

Where there are fans, there's an Expo. This year, a huge Anime Expo will be held at Long Beach, in California. Hosted by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, the expo will feature special anime guests, multiple video viewing rooms, anime game tournaments and discussion panels.

In Auckland, the Armageddon Pulp Culture Expo will be staged in the Aotea Centre from April 12 to 14.

It will be a celebration of sci-fi, fantasy and other pulp culture along with anime and manga. Guests will include the actor who is the voice behind DragonballZ's Gohan, and Veronica Taylor, the voice of Ash in Pokemon.

Other local sources of anime information include the Auckland Anime Club, which runs fortnightly viewing sessions at the Auckland College of Education.

Its website has a good FAQ section for anime newbies.

The club claims locally televised anime such as DragonballZ is hacked beyond all recognition - which goes to prove that, despite apparent differences between Ash and Coronation Street's Mike Baldwin, the gap between an anime fan and followers of TV soaps is not that great.

Pokemon

Dragonballz

Anime Genesis

Anime Cafe

About.com

Tezuka Osamu World

Anime Expo

Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

Armageddon Pulp Culture Expo

Auckland Anime Club