Anime are Japanese animations that are subtitled or subbed over for Tv or video, for children to adult (more adult). Anime is the more politically correct term for cartoon and it tells you the source ( develop in asia). Cartoon is referred as the american term, such as popeye. The adult version are intense, displaying excellent art, graphic, drama and usually a good story lines. Of course you have your story lines that are absolute failures. They range in all categories from comedy to action, martial arts, etc...