Timeline by Abraham Shaw

1961: Otogi Manga Calender was released

iashaw9713 — 2024-09-03 01:46:13 UTC

Otongi Manga Calendar was the first-ever anime series broadcast on Japanese television. The series aired from 1961 to 1964 and focused on the characters who would learn about historical events that particular day they lived. Footage of this series is scarce because it was broadcast at recording media was possible, and many believe the original tapes were destroyed.

1963: Astro Boy was released

iashaw9713 — 2024-09-03 01:56:07 UTC

On New Year's Day of 1963, Astro Boy premiered on Fuji TV and became incredibly popular. The series became the first popular animated Japanese series and became familiar worldwide. The show is an adaptation of a manga from 1952 of the same name. The series was four seasons long and ended on New Year's Eve, 1966.

1966: Sally the Witch was released

iashaw9713 — 2024-09-03 02:09:11 UTC

Sally the Witch, originally titled Sunny the Witch, was released. This series was the first of the "magical girl" series, which would become a prevalent genre amongst anime in Japan. The series is also considered the first "shojo" anime shojo, an anime or manga series targeting young women as their audience. The series is about a witch named Sally who travels to the mortal realm to make new human friends.

1961: Mushi Production was founded

iashaw9713 — 2024-09-03 02:28:05 UTC

Mushi production was founded in 1961 and became a pioneer for animation studios. Osamu Tezuka founded the studio after leaving Toei Animation production, which is responsible for producing "Astro Boy," the style and production techniques of this series and many subsequent animes were very influential to many studios in the future. These techniques lead to a more cost-effective media production while maintaining quality storytelling.

1964: The first Anime Feature Film Entering the Cannes Film Festival

iashaw9713 — 2024-09-03 02:34:21 UTC

"Wanpaku Ōji no Orochi Taiji" was a feature film produced by Toei Animation and screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 1964. This was the first time an anime film was recognized on an international stage, showing its growing artistic merit. It helped bring up the status of anime in global cinema and encouraged future production studios to attempt to reach a more international audience.

1965: Introduction of Color TV Anime

iashaw9713 — 2024-09-03 02:50:31 UTC

In 1965, Mushi Productions came out with "Jungle Taitei," which showcased the first TV anime to be produced in full color. This significant technological advancement in the industry led to all series straying away from black and white. The new color animation was more visually appealing and exciting for viewers. The success of color anime helped accelerate the transition to color for all Japanese broadcasts and influenced modern animes' colorful aesthetic and production.