I’ve heard it been said by some people on DeviantArt that anime/manga style artwork isn’t art. That it has no artistic value whatsoever. But how can one say that? Anime artists work just as hard as any other style artists to get to where they are and make their beautiful works.

Using dictionary.com I got a list of definitions for ‘art’.

art
–noun
1. the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
2. the class of objects subject to aesthetic criteria; works of art collectively, as paintings, sculptures, or drawings: a museum of art; an art collection.
3. a field, genre, or category of art: Dance is an art.
4. the fine arts collectively, often excluding architecture: art and architecture.
5. any field using the skills or techniques of art: advertising art; industrial art.
6. (in printed matter) illustrative or decorative material: Is there any art with the copy for this story?
7. the principles or methods governing any craft or branch of learning: the art of baking; the art of selling.
8. the craft or trade using these principles or methods.

So, I ask you, how is anime/manga not art? How are these BEAUTIFUL pieces of work below NOT art?

Let us celebrate the magnificence and the beauty in this style. Thank you to all those who participated and helped me gather such a wonderful collection. You are all amazing artists!