Anime, or Japanese animation, originates from early 20th century commercial productions, with significant influence from Walt Disney's works leading to the development of a unique art style in the 1960s. Key milestones include the emergence of genres like giant robots, the success of feature films such as 'Spirited Away,' and the growth of global markets, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, where anime gained mainstream acceptance and profitability through adaptations and home media distribution. Today, the anime industry consists of over 430 production companies and continues to thrive through a combination of innovation in production techniques and a strong fanbase both domestically and internationally.