While there were a few pre '50s attempts at animated films, the increasingly popular Japanese Animation (Anime) of today started with Walt Disney and his early animated comics. Heavily influenced by Disney's style of characters with large expressive features, Japanese animators copied the western style concept of animation studios and began to retell their folk tales in an animated format.
Moving from fairy tales on film to science fiction and adventure on television in the mid '60's, "Tetsuwan Atom" (Astro Boy)(*1) "Speed Racer" and "Gigantor" (*2) gave most Americans their first dose of Anime.. The '70s brought giant transforming robots and extraordinary space vehicles; "Grandizer", "Robotech", "Starblazers", "Mazinger" and "Danguard Ace", but for the most part Anime remained the domain of small cult groups of "Anifanatics"
Many people believe that Anime's entry into mainstream American entertainment came in 1988 with the release of "Akira". College fan clubs and societies also played a large role in popularizing Anime to the point of joint US/Japanese productions such as the highly successful "Ghost in the Shell".
*1 -Tetsuwan Atom(Astroboy)
1963-1966, 193 Episodes
Created by Osamu Tezuka. The first anime on American TV and the begining of an anime boom that occurred in 1963.
*2 - Tetsujin 28-go (Iron Man 28, Gigantor)
1963, 83 Episodes
The anime that introduced the giant robot genre. Started showing on American TV with episode 26 or 27.
Chronology of Anime on American TV
1960s
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Astro Boy (1963)
Gigantor (1966)
Marine Boy (1966)
Kimba the White Lion (1966)
Speed Racer (1967)
1970s
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Battle of the Planets (1978)
Star Blazers (1979)
1980s
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Force Five (1980)
Tekkaman the Space Knight (1984)
Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984)
Robotech (1985)
Captain Harlock and the Queen of 1000 Years (1985)
Sabre Riders and the Star Sheriffs (1987)
1990s
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Dragon Warrior (1990)
Teknoman (1995)
Ronin Warriors (1995)
Sailor Moon (1995)
Dragon Ball (1995)
Eagle Riders (1996)
Samurai Pizza Cats (1996)
Dragon Ball Z (1997)
Pokemon (1998)
Digimon (1999)
Monster Rancher (1999)
2000s
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Flint: Time Detective (2000)
Gundam Wing (2000)
Tenchi Muyo (2000)
Sailor Moon (2000)
Card Captors (2000)
Detective Conan (2000)
Vision of Escaflowne (2000)
Pokemon GS (2000)