>>79963491Because Japan pumps out dozens of animes per year.
I've only watched a few animes, most all of them recent, and I think I can only rank one or two above my favorite modern cartoons. Neither one of those animes is impressively animated. In fact, some of the most visually impressive animes I've watched have been objectively the worst (Fate/Zero and Fate/Stay Night for example).
I would say that in general, the story, characterization, and format of cartoons like Mystery Incorporated and Tron: Uprising, to name two examples, edge out what I've observed in anime.
Mystery Inc is not impressive in the animation department but T:U is a very well animated, and ambitiously animated cartoon. The latter in particular tackles, seriously, a lot of mature (not edgy) themes whereas all anime seem to focus on human emotion, irregardless of the sense or situation (fucking Fate/Stay Night oh jesus)
With the exception of Stein's Gate, I would say all the anime I've watched thus far, no matter the style or intended audience, falls short on thematic content and story telling. They're stale and overly simplistic, even if they present interesting worlds. The characters are flat, lacking depth to their personalities and motivations.
I don't get this from the cartoons I enjoy... though I don't by any means watch all cartoons. Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time, for instance, I've never watched clips of let alone entire episodes.
