Key Takeaways:
– Netflix’s upcoming Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft series is an American animation, not anime.
– Powerhouse Animation Studios, responsible for the hit series Castlevania, is creating the new Tomb Raider series.
– Tomb Raider’s Japanese-inspired art style has led to confusion and stimulated debates over Western influence on anime.
– The Tomb Raider series will be available for streaming on Netflix on October 10, 2024.
American animation studio, Powerhouse Animation, is working on a new animated series based on the popular franchise, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. However, its visual style has stirred some confusion among fans.
Understand the Difference, Not an Anime
Despite the Japanese-inspired animations and the expansive action scenes, the Netflix’s latest addition, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, is not categorized as an anime. This Austin, Texas-based studio was responsible for the production, ensuring it is an American animation.
While the art style tends to resemble that of an anime, it is vital for viewers to recognize the distinction between genre and origin. The trailer of the new series illustrates an impressively dynamic nature, even if it instigates comparisons to the Eastern counterpart.
In 2021, Powerhouse Animation Studios forged a deal with Netflix to create animated shows for their platform. This collaboration later resulted in the successful series Castlevania, which got its sequel launched in 2023.
Western Influence on Anime Causing Stir
Hardcore anime fans have observed an increasing Western influence in recent anime productions. This trending transformation is largely due to the cross-cultural exchanges and the growing popularity of anime in the West.
Anime productions like Trigun, Black Lagoon, and Great Pretender exhibit noticeable Western inspirations. A handful of them, such as Cowboy Bebop, have managed to incorporate these influences to their advantage. However, others have failed to escape the perception of being mere Western clones, rather than genuine anime.
Conversely, certain American animations reveal a Japanese anime influence, often leading to classification confusion. A primary example is the popular series Avatar: The Last Airbender, with its Eastern thematic elements often mistaken as an anime.
The Influence Goes Both Ways
The influence between Eastern and Western media is a two-way street, dating back decades. The King Kong Show, one of the pioneers in featuring anime inspirations, was a collaborative project between Japan’s Toei Animation and America’s Videocraft in the late 60s.
Through the years, various notable projects like Transformers and shows like X-Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Animaniacs, and Spider-Man have seen Japanese collaborations or had their animation outsourced to Japan.
While such influences are natural and can be creatively invigorating, the essence of the original genre can get diluted when the intent is primarily to cater to a specific audience. Both Western and Eastern animators must remember that retaining their authentic traditions is equally important for their art to flourish genuinely.
Conclusion
Amid these debates, the anticipation for Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft continues to rise. It is set to premiere on Netflix on October 10, 2024. As the release draws closer, it will be fascinating to witness how the audience receives this fusion of Western animation with a touch of Eastern influence hat-tip.
