The Influence of Anime in American Animation

Japanese animation has had a deep impact on U.S. animation, but how is it reflected in today’s shows? What was once a niche fandom storyboard artists, designers, and writers drew upon for inspiration, is now a gigantic global sensation impacting the themes and storytelling of American animation studios. Can and should the big business of U.S. animation be more like the Japanese model–using the medium of animation for more than select “marketable” genres?