From its unique artistic style to its fascinating stories that include comedies and dramas as well as the exploits of remarkable superheroes, anime has captured the interest of fans across the world. Born more than a century ago in Japan and introduced to the western world in the years following World War II, anime is now an important part of the international culture of entertainment. Each year, thousands of fans flock to anime conventions, debate the merits of the stories in online forums, and cheer athletes at the Olympic games who perform in costumes resembling those worn by their favorite anime characters.