1 Jurnal PengaJian Media Malaysia Malaysian Journal of Media studies Vol. 13, no. 2, 2011 Pages 1–9 Mohd AMir MAt oMAr & Md Sidin AhMAd iShAk Understanding CUltUre throUgh animation: From the World to malaysia ABSTRACT Generally, culture is aimed to be preserved the way they are thus maintaining the status quo of their origins. The growth and increased range of available local and foreign media content have raised numerous questions as to the impact and efects it brings towards culture. As a mature international industry and a rapidly growing local one, animations ilms have taken a role in introducing the cultural characteristics of various nations and backgrounds. Similar with other products of diferent geographical sources, animation carries a relection of their respective cultural backgrounds. This paper atempts to understand the links between culture and animation, how animation has taken place, how animation have been studied and how animation have been described. Keywords: animated ilm, 3D technology, cartoon, anime, culture INTRODUCTION Animation as we see and understand today can be traced back since the very early age (Stephenson, 1967) where cavemen were believed to be responsible in its instigation. Overall, animation has progressed signiicantly from the initial development of moving images, the technology of cel animation (traditional hand-drawn animation) to fully digitally produced 3D animation. The nature of animation, being similar to those of other television and ilm content, is that they carry themes and styles which are mostly originated from fantasy and folklore as well as the artistic trend of the respective time the animation was created (Halas & Manvell, 1959:29). The routes of animated ilm can be observed through four major stages (Halas & Manvell, 1959:13): • The initial period of trick-work and magic.