What is anime? and what is cartoon? I thought they are the same!?

Anime is Japanese animation.
Cartoon is American animation
They may seem the same but Cartoons are only for children, whereas there are ALL kinds of Anime. For girls, boys, grown ups. There is no splatter cartoon for example, although you can find dozens of splatter anime. The graphics in Anime are much more advanced in Anime and the plots are more interesting.

we'll anime is really differnt from a cartoon although they are the product of animation cartoons are more like for kids and the graphics is somtimes kindah good and no exact story unlike the anime that has an exact story and the topic is for mature ones and also anime /japanese cartoon while cartoon is /american animation

onoooooo!!! big diff ^^
a cartoon would be like ed edd and eddy or spongebob...

where an anime would have an actual stoyline, great graphics, and awesome to watch ^^ (some cartoons are cool tho ^^)

anime is what they call their more "advanced" cartoons in japan ^^

A cartoon is an animated TV show or movie, and is a term usually used for American creations to distinguish it from anime.

Anime is the Japanese version, and because of differences between Japanese and American societies, is able and willing to take on more mature and complex subject matters than American cartoons. It's considered more of a serious art form, rather than "kid stuff" like American cartoons.

They are both forms of animation.

Anime comes from Japan and uses continuing a storyline. The drawings and graphics are amazing, the actual animation is not so amazing...it's usually limited animation.

Cartoons are usually humorous and are intended for children.

But not all cartoons were or are intended for children...Chuck Jones, Bob Clampett, Friz Freleng, Robert McKimson, Tex Avery and the rest of the directors who made the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons in the 30s, 40s and 50s have said that their cartoons were NOT for children. When Tex Avery went to MGM, he made some of the raciest cartoons of all-time, like "Red Hot Riding Hood" and "Swing Shift Cinderella". William Hanna and Joseph Barbera have said that their "Tom & Jerry" cartoons and their series "The Flintstones", "Top Cat" and "Wait Till Your Father Gets Home" were not for children...The Flintstones original sponsor was Winston Cigarettes!
Cartoon makers like Matt Groening, John Kricfalusi, Mike Judge and Seth MacFarlane have kept the tradition of the 'adult' cartoons alive.

So....not all anime is for adults and not all cartoons are for children.

they are not the same. cartoons are great. anime sucks.

for me, cartoon is more dedicate to children so cartoon is easier to understand , while anime is more to adults and teenagers. anime is much more graphic and complex..