The Oldest Anime Ever? It Operated Before TV Existed—Here’s How!

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:59:13 +0000

The Oldest Anime Ever: The One That Predated TV and Changed Animation History When most people think of anime, images of colorful TV series blazing across screens immediately come to mind. But long before anime became a household name on television, a groundbreaking series quietly aired—before TV even existed. This is the story of Momotaro: Sacred Sapwood (木ずし桃太郎), widely regarded as the oldest anime ever, operating decades before broadcast anime took center stage. ### When Was It Created?
Though actually first released in 1961, the true legacy of Japan’s earliest anime traces back to earlier experimental works in the 1910s and 1920s. However, the pivotal moment came with Momotaro: Sacred Sapwood—a pioneering cinematic animation feature that debuted in 1961—but was deeply rooted in pre-television animation traditions. It’s considered the apex of early Japanese animation that laid the foundation before TV-based anime exploded in popularity. ### How Did It Operate Before TV Existed?
In the early 20th century, television was still years away—regular broadcast commenced only in the 1950s in Japan. So, the creators of Momotaro: Sacred Sapwood relied on innovative hand-drawn cel animation techniques, wartime inking improvements, and limited but pioneering production designs to bring moving pictures to life. Unlike modern TV anime, which uses fast-burn storytelling and serialized episodes, this early anime operated in theatrical and short-form presentation styles, blending folk myths with nascent animation technology.