ANIME & MANGA:

Anime & Manga (Japanese animation & graphic novels – under which, we currently also include the Chinese (manhua) & Korean (manhwa) animation & graphic novels) has evolved into a major media and entertainment industry category influencing content development around the globe. Companies like Disney & Warner Bros and brands like Boondocks & Batman and many others now have anime influenced productions in the market.

The history of Anime begins early in the 20th century, Japanese movie producers used the animation techniques that were being used in the west, modified them in look and story-telling style, creating a new genre. Several of the leading Japanese filmmakers influencing the world of animation include Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Oshii.

During the late 60’s these Japanese style animations begin to morph into new genres like mecha, machines that come alive, with popular titles like Gundam, which has had significant toy & model tie-ins by Bandai.

Anime has exploded into markets around the globe influencing animation in Brazil, China, Korea, Europe, the Americas etc. The fans of Anime are some of the most loyal fans found in any segment or niche of the media and entertainment industry.

GSEConnect being responsive to the fans, the artists, the writers, and the many others who work & are passionate in this niche of the industry has compiled a directory of anime social networks that covers each genre (action, drama, mech, horror, sports etc.) as well as supporting creators and fan passion (events, cosplay, collectibles and clubs etc.)

COMICS & CARTOONS:

Comics & cartoons have been around for a very long time. Everyone is familiar with the comic strips and of course the comic books. The creation of the modern American comic book came in stages. They were essentially comic strips compiled into a hard cover book.

In the late 1800’s comics with the text in balloons begin and became the defacto standard. The most popular comic books today are superheroes like Batman, Superman, Hulk, Ironman etc. This has not always been the cast there was a time during the 40’s that teen humor ruled the day with Archie Comics, comedy using funny animals that were Walt Disney characters as well as science fiction, westerns, romance and satiric comics. As with most niches in the media and entertainment business there are up and down periods.

Comics & cartoon have a tremendous impact on all aspects of the media and entertainment business, toys, films, TV, licensing etc. We have combined cartoon and comic in this directory because they are so uniquely intertwined. They are both have an illustrative core and the processes for development & production are similar.