Is anime an English word or Japanese? The word anime is a shortened form of the Japanese word animēshon, which means "animation." While anime has its roots in Japan, it has since spread to other countries, and today, anime can be found in many different languages, including English.. The meaning of ANIME is 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.
anime (countable and uncountable, plural anime or animes) A frame from Momotaro's Divine Sea Warriors (1944), the first full-length anime film. (countable) An animated work that originated in Japan, regardless of the artistic style. quotations. The culturally abstract approach to the word's meaning may open up the possibility of anime produced in countries other than Japan. Many Westerners strictly view anime as a Japanese animation product.