Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates science, steam and the Victorian era into plots. Steampunk was first introduced in the late 19th century as a literary subgenre. It has now evolved into an aesthetic that combines modern technologies with classic designs from the Victorian era. There are many types of anime that use steampunk elements, but do they all qualify to be called steampunk anime? Keep reading to learn more about the differences between steampunk anime and other similar genres.
What is Steampunk Anime?
Steampunk anime is a subgenre of anime that uses steampunk elements. It is inspired by the 19th century, it’s purposely gothic and has a fantastical or futuristic setting. Steampunk anime is also created with the future in mind, with many technological advancements being possible in this world.
The most popular steampunk anime are often set in Victorian London, but they do not have to be set during that era to qualify as steampunk. The steam-powered city of Neo-Venezia from Tales of Vesperia fits into the genre perfectly. Other common settings include alternate-history worlds (such as Hetalia), post-apocalypse worlds (like Fallout) and fantasy worlds with a science fiction twist (like Noragami).
As far as themes go, there are two main themes associated with steampunk anime: adventure and technology. The primary focus in both these themes will be on the 19th century, exploring how society would have been different if certain events had happened differently. These events could range from small changes resulting from magic or time travel to larger historical events like World War I and II or even global warming .
While it’s popular for steampunk anime to contain high levels of action, one doesn’t need a lot of action to make it qualify as an “action” genre. Steampunk anime can also contain romance plots or slice-of-life scenarios about everyday life in this alternate universe
Steampunk Anime and Manga
Steampunk anime and manga differ from the rest of their subgenres because they take a Victorian-era setting or an alternate timeline and make it into one of the most technologically advanced times in history. Steampunk anime features robots, cars, trains, and other modern machines that are still powered by steam. Anime takes steampunk to another level by incorporating western allusions as well as Victorian-era aesthetics. The technology used in anime is usually more advanced than the technology shown in manga.
Manga on the other hand features less technologically advanced settings, but they have much more detailed artwork. They also have many more characters per page, which makes their stories feel more expansive than their anime counterparts. Despite having a different type of aesthetic from anime, both mediums tend to share some commonalities in that they’re set in a setting similar to our own world but are infused with fantasy elements like magic and monsters.
One of the most popular steampunk franchises is “Sailor Moon.” It was first published in 1991 and has since become one of Japan’s best-selling manga series with over 70 million copies sold worldwide. It is considered an iconic example of Japanese culture because of its use of powerful women who inspire people around them despite being underdogs.-
Characteristics of Steampunk Anime
Steampunk anime are typically set in an alternate history. In most cases, the genre is set in a Victorian-era England, with steampunk as an aesthetic that also influences other parts of society. Steampunk anime typically focus on technology and how it has developed throughout history. Characters often use steam-powered machines while still living in more traditional settings. Characters may wear period-appropriate clothing or have modernized outfits that still maintain the aesthetic of the time period.
Examples of Steampunk Anime
Examples of steampunk anime include: Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, Aqua Teen Hunger Force
There are many other types of anime that also have steampunk elements. So what’s the difference between a steampunk anime and other similar genres? The characteristics that make up a traditional steampunk anime are: scientific and technological developments, airships or steam-powered vehicles, and anachronistic (or out-of-time) designs from the Victorian era. Other types of anime that might not be considered steampunk anime would be ones with futuristic technology, cyberpunk, or fantasy. In these cases, there is no need to use scientific advancements or use anachronistic design because they don’t seem natural for those genres.
Differences Between Steampunk Anime and Western Animation
It’s easy to confuse steampunk anime with western animation. Both are genres that use a combination of modern and ancient themes, but they’re not interchangeable. Steampunk anime is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates steam and the Victorian era into plots. Western animation is an American genre of animated motion pictures with visual or verbal humor, character traits, settings and dialogue influenced by American culture.
Some examples of steampunk anime include Steamboy (2004), Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006-2008) and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002-2004). These shows have some similarities with western animation, but they’re different from it as well. Here are some key differences between steampunk anime and other similar genres:
Steampunk anime uses old-timey technologies and designs to give it an authentic 19th century look (or a futuristic take on an ancient world) while western animation is more focused on visual gags and slapstick comedy. Steampunk anime uses old-timey technologies to create a unique aesthetic that feels cohesive with their storylines while western cartoons lean more towards having fun with their situations.
Steampunk anime has political commentary in their stories while western animations remain lighthearted comedies that don’t pass judgement on society or offer commentary at all.
Summary
Steampunk anime has many similarities to science fiction, but is distinct in its own right. Steampunk shares some characteristics with cyberpunk, such as technology and a futuristic aesthetic. It also has similar elements to steampunk literature, such as the combination of machines and nature. The key aspects of steampunk anime are technological advances that are greatly influenced by the Victorian era and a general focus on nature.
When talking about “steampunk anime” it’s important that you have an understanding of what the term means. There are many genres that use steampunk elements such as cyberpunk, dieselpunk, etc.
The definition for steampunk anime can be found in the first paragraph of this article–it is an aesthetic genre centered around “advances that are greatly influenced by the Victorian era.”
