Welcome to the all-new Komet Tails website. We’re still in the process of putting it all together (which is a nice way of saying that we’re having some trouble figuring out what the heck we’re doing and how the heck we’re going to do it!), so please excuse the current state of the site. It will all get better soon, we promise!
Anyway, for the time being, we thought we’d do our bit for public service by sketching out a quick history of anime. It probably won’t tell the hardcore fan anything that he or she doesn’t already know, but it might be interesting for the ones who are just getting started, or those who have a few select favorites and are looking to broaden their knowledge of the genre.
If you’d rather just have a quick list of the classic anime that you must see, we can do that too. Of course, this list won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, so it’s a good thing that we welcome comments, suggestions, critiques (within reason, of course…), and general kawaii.
- Imokawa Mukuzō Genkanban no Maki (The Doorman, 1917) - the first anime, ever
- Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka (The World of Power and Women, 1933) – the first anime with sound (voiceovers)
- Momotarō: Umi no Shinpei (Momotaro’s Divine Sea Warriors, 1945) – the first feature-length anime
- Hakujaden (The Tale of the White Serpent, 1958) – the first full-color anime film
- Mittsu no Hanashi (Three Tales, 1960) – the first TV broadcast anime
- Otogi Manga Calendar (1961) – the first anime TV series
- Tetsuwan Atomu (Astro Boy, or Mighty Atom, 1963) – first anime export
- Tetsujin 28-gō (Iron Man #28, a.k.a. Gigantor, 1963) – the first Super Robot anime
- Mach Go Go Go (Speed Racer, 1967)
- Taiyō no Ōji: Horusu no Daibōken (Hols: Prince of the Sun, 1968)
- Uchū Senkan Yamato (a.k.a. Space Battleship Yamato, Space Cruiser Yamato, Star Blazers, etc., 1974 TV, 1977 film)
- Kidō Senshi Gandamu (Mobile Suit Gundam, 1979) – first Gundam!
- Chōjikū Yōsai Makurosu (Super Dimension Fortress Macross, 1982) – first Macross!
- Kaze no Tani no Naushika (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, 1984) - first Ghibli!