American Influence on Early Japanese Animation

In 1914, Emile Cohl's "Fantasmagorie" was screened in Japan. It was really the first animation people in Japan got to see. For this reason, it remained an inspiration to artists pioneering the genre.

The influence of American animation can also be traced in Japanese animation. As the Fleischer animation gained popularity in the USA during the 1930s, the Fleischer films were soon also introduced to the Japanese public.

Have a look at this early animation from 1933 by director Ikuo Oishi. The title "UGOKIE-KO-RI-NO-TATEHIKI" translates as "Fox and Raccoon Cheat Each Other." Notice the close similarity to characters like Bimbo and the rubber hose animation characteristic of many early Fleischer films.

-post by Erik