anime

noun

an·​i·​me ˈa-nə-ˌmā How to pronounce anime (audio) ˈä-nē- How to pronounce anime (audio)
: a style of animation originating in Japan that is characterized by stark colorful graphics depicting vibrant characters in action-filled plots often with fantastic or futuristic themes

Examples of anime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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As director Kenji Kamiyama told IndieWire (via producer Joseph Chou acting as his translator), the production’s specific timeframe was much, much shorter than that of a Japanese anime film. Rafael Motamayor, IndieWire, 2 Jan. 2025 Froud’s work also had a big effect on the world of anime, strongly influencing artists such as Yutaka Izubuchi, who would later work on anime such as Aura Battler Dunbine and The Record of Lodoss War. Ollie Barder, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024 It’s built in partnership with Netflix for an anime called Tokyo Override, which is set in a dystopian Tokyo 100 years in the future. New Atlas, 29 Dec. 2024 Mob Psycho 100 Crunchyroll One of the most popular genres of anime is called shonen, which is anime aimed at young boys and teens and often includes a lot of fighting — think Dragon Ball Z or Naruto. Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anime 

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, animation, short for animēshiyon, from English

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anime was in 1985

Dictionary Entries Near anime

Cite this Entry

“Anime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anime. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

anime

noun
an·​i·​me ˈan-ə-ˌmā How to pronounce anime (audio) ˈä-nē- How to pronounce anime (audio)
: a style of animation originating in Japan that has stark colorful graphics, action-filled plots, and often fantastic or futuristic themes
Etymology

from Japanese, literally, "animation," short for animēshiyon (from English)

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