The Awesome Japanese Impact on Spain

Did you know that the country of Japan has had a huge influence on Spanish culture over the past few decades? One of the biggest ways this happened was through the introduction of Japanese anime cartoons to Spain in the 1980s and 1990s!

What is anime? Anime refers to a unique style of animated shows and movies that originated in Japan. Anime has a very distinctive look with exaggerated facial expressions, vibrant colors, and action-packed plots. Some of the most popular anime series that aired on Spanish TV in the 80s and 90s included Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, Captain Tsubasa, Campeones, and Caballeros del Zodiaco.

When these Japanese anime shows first came to Spain, they were a huge hit! Spanish kids went absolutely crazy over the cool characters, exciting adventures, and captivating storytelling in these imported cartoons. Dubbed into Spanish, the anime allowed a whole new generation to experience the rich traditions and art styles from Japan.

Not only did anime get Spanish children interested in Japanese entertainment, but it also sparked curiosity about other aspects of Japanese culture. Suddenly, more people wanted to learn about things like martial arts, manga comic books, sushi and other Japanese cuisine, celebrations like Children's Day, and language lessons to learn basic Japanese phrases.

The obsession with anime extended way beyond just watching the shows too. Parents bought their kids mountains of anime character toys, backpacks, video games, and other merchandise. Families who could afford it even started traveling to Japan as tourists to experience the culture firsthand. Some anime super-fans even started dressing up in elaborate handmade costumes to attend comic conventions and meetups!

While the peak popularity of anime in Spain was in the 80s and 90s, the impact is still felt today. You can still find anime on Spanish TV, and the art style has clearly influenced many current animations, comics, and video games both for kids and adults. The introduction of anime opened up Spanish culture to a whole new world of creative entertainment from Japan. Isn't it amazing how different cultures can influence each other in such fun and interesting ways?

Questions:

• Impact Exploration: What are some ways Japanese culture has influenced Spain?

• Content Analysis: What key points does the article “The Awesome Japanese Impact on Spain” discuss?

Spanish Word:

• Cultura (Culture): The set of customs, traditions, and values of a society or community, such as those found in Spain.

Classroom Activity:

• Create a Digital Exhibition: Students can use a platform like Cospaces or Artsteps to create a virtual exhibition that showcases the influence of Japanese culture on Spain. They could include digital models of architecture, art, and other cultural elements that highlight this impact. This activity encourages research, creativity, and the use of technology to present information in an engaging way.