anime

noun

an·​i·​me ˈa-nə-ˌmā How to pronounce anime (audio) ˈä-nē- How to pronounce anime (audio)
: a style of animation originating in Japan that is characterized by stark colorful graphics depicting vibrant characters in action-filled plots often with fantastic or futuristic themes

Examples of anime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But while the global appeal of Japanese anime and manga is nothing new, this has also been a year in which Japanese live-action features started to make waves. Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025 Young protesters in Madagascar and elsewhere are reimagining the manga characters’ fight against injustice as their own, anime experts say. Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025 As if that weren’t enough, the movie has now passed such hits as Your Name, Spirited Away and Suzume to become history’s highest-grossing anime film in North America. Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 Sony snapped up anime streaming service Crunchyroll from AT&T in 2021, merging it with Funimation. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anime

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, animation, short for animēshiyon, from English

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anime was in 1985

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Cite this Entry

“Anime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anime. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

anime

noun
an·​i·​me ˈan-ə-ˌmā How to pronounce anime (audio) ˈä-nē- How to pronounce anime (audio)
: a style of animation originating in Japan that has stark colorful graphics, action-filled plots, and often fantastic or futuristic themes
Etymology

from Japanese, literally, "animation," short for animēshiyon (from English)

More from Merriam-Webster on anime

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