WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Far East, Close Up: Anime

Episode Date: July 23, 2025

Far East, Close Up provides Westerners a front-row seat to the customs, cultures and everyday life in East Asia. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann.EP 7 "Anime": Today, we talk about the international phenomenon of anime, from its inception in Japan to its enthusiastic acceptance in the West.

I'm Emma Wehrman, welcoming you to Far East Close Up, where we provide Westerners of front-row seat to the customs, cultures, and everyday life in East Asia. Today, we are going to talk about the international phenomenon of anime, from its inception in Japan to its acceptance by the West. Between 1900 and 1930, Japanese animation began with short films inspired by Western animation styles. The 40s and 50s saw it used for World War II propaganda, followed by the birth of the modern anime industry in the 60s. The 70s saw the diversification of various anime genres and the 80s brought increased international attention with anime now broadcast on U.S. television. In the 90s, anime developed an international cult following thanks to VHS imports, leading to U.S. mainstream breakthrough in the 2000s with titles like Dragon Ball Z and Pokemon. Thanks to its beloved fans, anime is a part of Western pop culture today. I'm Emma Weirman, and this has been Far East Close Up on Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM.