According to some experts, the visual characteristics of Japanese anime characters, including their often perceived "generally Caucasian appearance," stem from early artistic conventions established in the genre's history.
Many viewers notice that anime characters frequently feature traits like oversized eyes and facial structures that might be interpreted as having a Western or "American" look. Japanese history professor and anime expert Antonia Levi, author of Samurai from Outer Space: Understanding Japanese Animation, addresses this observation.
Reference Insight:
Based on the provided reference, Antonia Levi concurs with the view that the oversized eyes and generally Caucasian appearance of many anime characters stems from the artistic conventions established by early... (the provided text ends here).
This perspective suggests that the stylistic choices made by early creators, rather than an attempt to make characters specifically look American or Western, are the origin of these particular visual traits that some viewers perceive as such. These foundational artistic decisions influenced subsequent generations of anime artists, leading to the widespread adoption of these conventions in character design.
Understanding this viewpoint highlights that the appearance is rooted in the internal development and artistic evolution within the anime medium itself, originating from choices made during its formative years.
