Examining Whether Invincible is Considered an Anime

As the highly anticipated Invincible Season 3 approaches its premiere, an age-old debate is set to resurface: can Invincible truly be classified as an anime?

The series debuted in 2021 with a groundbreaking first episode that left a lasting impression on Western animation. The blood-curdling finale, featuring Omni-Man’s brutal attack on the Guardians of the Globe, set a new benchmark for mature content with its shocking visuals, contributing to its 18+ rating.

Exploring dark themes and graphic imagery is not new in animation. Iconic works such as Watership Down continue to haunt audiences, while Studio Ghibli’s films elicit profound emotional responses. Moreover, the adventurous spirit of DC and Mortal Kombat’s animated projects offers a plethora of adult themes, alongside critically acclaimed films like Waltz with Bashir and A Scanner Darkly.

However, Invincible occupies a distinctive niche with its episodic format and an art style that mirrors that of popular anime. This begs the question: should Invincible be classified as an anime?

Why Invincible Does Not Qualify as Anime

Mark getting punched in Invincible — Prime Video

Despite its animation, Invincible is fundamentally not an anime. Anime specifically refers to animated works that originate from Japan, whereas Invincible is distinctly an American production.

This distinction can be compared to the differences between champagne and prosecco; both are sparkling wines, yet champagne derives its name specifically from the region in France. While Invincible showcases an artistic style and graphic elements influenced by anime, it remains within the American animation genre.

This conversation isn’t new; it has previously arisen concerning titles like Avatar: The Last Airbender. Ultimately, the defining factor is simple: unless an animation is produced by a Japanese studio, it cannot be classified as anime.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbHUhCcSXEM

Invincible Season 3 – Official Trailer | Prime Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbHUhCcSXEM)

As one Reddit user noted, “Anime is just a simplification of the word anime. The answer is both yes and no. It would be in the same class as anime but was made in the West so it’s an animation. But they are the same thing, literally the only difference is the country it was made in.”

This does not preclude discussions that draw parallels between Invincible and anime. An earlier conversation on Reddit contended that Invincible is “as close to a Shonen anime” as Western culture has produced. The series mirrors its source material closely, showcasing audacious violence that resonates with shonen tropes.

One user remarked: “This show is actually the first American animated show I know of that actually just straight up adapts the already great source material it’s based on and doesn’t do any weird liberties with it just like mangas.” Another added: “Invincible is more superhero anime than superhero animes.”

As we await the launch of Season 3, be sure to catch up with our review and keep an eye on the release schedule!

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