Anime means "animation" in Japanese.
If you came here to see me call anime:
cartoon porn which is hentai,
wannabe white person cartoons, or a nerds favorite hobby, then just give me the thumbs down already because my definition is precise.
Anime is a form of Japanese cartooning which either televised or on DVD or video. The comic books are called manga.
Yes, there is a very big difference. If you walk into Borders/Barnes and Noble/etc. and ask for Anime, you will be sent to the DVD section. Shojo is a girl's type of anime (stories of love, achieving dreams and the type) while shonen is the boys type (wars, samuri, card battles etc.)Usually anime is much deeper than the average American cartoons. It can be funny, tragic, romantic, adventurous, sci fi and more.
Stereotypical ideas: Nerds and geeks are not the only people who like anime. Not all aniime has the big twinkly eyes and extremely out of proportioned heads. It is NOT porn. See hentai. It is NOT only for kids.