As someone who likes both Cartoons and Anime equally, I have yet to find someone who doesn’t get offended by me saying that. They’re just animated projects at the end of the day, just made differently through cultural norms. I’ll enjoy both like I’ll enjoy a burger & ramen, both are good and tasty, don’t care which one’s better as long I’m munching down
That’s it, I’m just writing this because I’m bored
On the other hand, I have heard both referred to as cartoons, often with some derogatory prefix like “pervert” or “Democrat”. Ditto The Simpsons. I always assumed that calling them cartoons was fairly widespread; maybe it’s a southern and/or conservative thing specifically.
It does usually carry the connotation of an insult; IME there’s generally an understanding in conservative circles that anything “cartoonish” is inherently childish and therefore unworthy of any respectable adult’s attention, and any adult who admits to enjoying animated TV is given a raised eyebrow, at least by the older folks.
I grew up in Texas and don’t remember anyone ever calling any of those shows cartoons.
How curious, especially because Tennessee imports so much of its culture from Texas. Maybe its an age thing, I am mid 40s and my impression is that that idiom is less prevalent with the youth. Never gave it much thought before.