However (un)fortunate, my girlfriend has gotten me hooked on Japanese comic style cartoons. AKA Anime.

When most Americans think of cartoons, they think of short, self contained comedic episodes for children. In Japan, however, animation exists not only for children, but for adults as well. The plots are more intricate and the characters more developed. Some series can be quite interesting.

You may have noticed that Anime is creeping into American cartoons lately. Cartoons like teen titans and totally spies, for instance have completely copied their styles from Japanese Anime (both in drawing style and expression of emotions). Hit movies such as Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) and Spirited Away were created in Japan and were later adapted for an American audience.