Is yon Invincible an Anime?

Lo, with its dynamic fight scenes and cel-shaded aesthetic, Invincible hath ensnared more than a single viewer, convincing them it be an anime. But lo, is Invincible truly an anime, or doth Prime Video’s adult animated superhero series qualify as something else?

Hark! The short answer doth ring out loud and clear – Invincible is not an anime. Verily, the term “anime” doth pertain to animated movies and TV shows from Japan (’tis the Japanese word for animation, in truth). Not only is Invincible molded from a Western comic book – with character models inspired by the designs of series co-creator and original artist Cory Walker – but its production companies and distributor bask in their US-based origins. Ergo, since it doth not hail from the land of the rising sun, it is not an anime.

Lo and behold! The long answer doth prompt reflection on the very definition of ‘anime.’ Whilst the ‘anime’ label be traditionally ascribed to Japanese creations, some aficionados of animation do argue that it doth technically encompass all animated movies and shows. Forsooth, offerings from the renowned Studio Ghibli and Disney are both recognized as anime in Japan, despite the latter’s American roots. Thus, one could categorize Invincible as an anime – yet ‘tis a contested belief held by a minority.

Why Doth Invincible Embrace Animation Over Live-Action?

Whence comes the query – anime or no, one truth be certain: Invincible is naught but animated, not live-action. The co-creator and co-showrunner of the series, Robert Kirkman, did expound upon the reasons for selecting animation to portray Mark Grayson’s tale in a 2021 Den of Geek interview, citing the allure of lower production costs.

“Behold! The main benefit doth lie in granting the audience a scope and scale comparable to a $200 million blockbuster, rather than the customary fare offered by superhero television shows,” quoth Kirkman. “Drawing an army of a thousand souls be far simpler than employing a thousand individuals and adorning them in costumes. Should we desire three distinct alien invasions in a single episode, ’tis within our reach.”

Lo! Invincible Seasons 1 and 2 do now stream on Prime Video, whilst Season 3 doth grace our screens come Feb. 6, in the year 2025.