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Anime is short for Japanese Animation (the equivalent of an American cartoon - but with very different art). Anime is growing like a wildfire, expanding throughout the world at an incredible rate. Just a decade ago, barely anyone knew what Anime was. Nowadays, Anime is being dubbed into each countries' national language, which in turn makes it even more popular. 

Anime started being licensed in America in the 1970s, but wasn't widely known about until the 90s, thanks to the incredibly popular Anime series, Dragon Ball Z. After which, other Anime series (also released in the 90s), gained a large following, like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon, which are still just as popular today as they ever were in each and every country worldwide.

A lot of Anime series are based off of Manga (similar to an American comic book), however often Manga are more popular then the Anime isself. This has lead countries to purchase Manga licenses from Japan so they can cash in on popular Manga series (such as Naruto, Bleach, One Piece). The Manga are often a lot cheaper, since no voice actors are required to dub over the Anime voices - just simple translation is required. 

Anime films are also made, such as the worldwide success Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, or Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea! They normally have a mucher higher budget, just like well funded movies, superior story and characters, etc., then the normal Anime or Manga series. (Note  Studio Ghibli is more or less responsible for pretty much every critical Anime film success, as most, if not all Ghibli movies were commercial successes).

Anime has grown in popularity so much that large American comic book companies, such as Marvel Entertainment, is having Japan make Anime series for them, such as Blade, X-Men, Wolverine, and Iron Man, all made in 2010/2011, released in Japan, and then ported over to America for release. The other comic book titan, DC Entertainment however, hasn't opted for an Anime release for their cartoon series, instead making their artists alter the animation of their own styled cartoons to fit more Anime-styled cartoons.

American dubbed Anime series often use voice actors from companies like Viz Media, FUNimation Entertainment, and 4Kids Entertainment. Anime films however, employ Hollywood movie stars, as the films are often licensed by a larger company then the average series. 

With the popular rise of Anime on the internet, there were bound to be websites that allow streaming of said content, and there are. Thanks to the internet, there are thousands, if not more, websites that all offer streaming of Anime online, most for free, some people for profit, so there's always a place around to find what you're after, if you're looking.

The main shortcoming of Anime, is that episodes are, on average, 18-20 minutes in length, and only 12-24 episodes long. That causes most series to never finish, and offer up a rushed, forced ending, where nobody is happy.<br>[http://www.animepalm.com/forum/ Anime Forums]<br>[l]