Gone are the days of dull two-dimensional (2D) cartoons where the characters seemed anything but real, and also gone are the days when cartoons were something too childish to be viewed by anyone other than kids.

The hype today is the three-dimensional (3D) animations which, with their breathtaking realistic look and awesome graphics, have mesmerised both kids and grown-ups. The anime, more specifically the Japanese anime, are based upon Manga books. Manga are comic books which are very popular in Japan and now worldwide too among people of all ages.

Most of the successful anime have been adopted from Manga books after their immense success. What's different about this genre of anime is that not only are they developed with a real-life look but also that they have a continuing story which unfolds as the episodes are released. This makes them hot favourite among the teens and is nothing less than an addiction in themselves. Here is a look at some of them

Pokemon

It is the story of a boy, Ash Ketchum, who sets out in the quest to become the best Pokemon Master. Pokemon, basically, are animal-like beings with a bit of a scientific touch to them. With his friends Brock, Misty, May and Max, he goes on to have adventure-filled journeys, competing in many tournaments and meeting many friends and foes on his way.

So far, five seasons of this anime series have been released, namely Pokemon Gotta Catch 'Em All, Pokemon

Adventures in the Orange Islands, Pokemon Johto Journeys, Pokemon Johto League Champions, Pokemon Master Quest and Pokemon Advanced Battle. The series is particularly popular among younger teens and an entire Pokemon pop-culture industry has developed with bags, mugs and other kids' accessories sold with Pokemon characters. Also a Pokemon trading card game had been developed which is equally liked by the youth.

Beyblade

You must be knowing that small oval ball with a pin-like end at the narrow side that was call 'lattoo'. Whoever thought that could make a cool game? Well, someone just turned that silly game into a teen hype.

Beyblade is an anime series of a group of guys battling with very powerful spinning tops with bitbeast chips containing sacred mythical creatures. Tyson is the main character who becomes the world champ while Kai, the loner guy and his team's captain, is his fiercest rival. Together with them in the team are the Tao-guy Ray, the ever spontaneous and high-tempered Hilary, a smiling Max and the techie guy Chief who'd provide updates for the bitbeasts.

Thus far, three seasons namely Beyblade, Beyblade V Force and Beyblade G Revolution and a movie have been released. The third series brought a well-executed plot and finely developed graphics making it an immediate favourite. It also introduced several new characters like Brooklyn and his team as yet another team of fierce rivals for Tyson and his mates.

The anime-release has seen a halt of some four years after the last episode's release in 2005 but there are news that sometime in 2009, the series will be revived, though with entirely new set of characters and a different storyline. The game's theme has been adopted by several video games too and kids can be seen actually playing with spinning tops similar to those in the anime.

Dragon Ball

Here your fighting fantasies turn to reality when the good guys are powerful enough to blow entire planets off the face of universe — and the bad guys are no less.

The story revolves around martial arts, with highly skilled good guys and equally powerful bad ones. The story starts from Goku, a monkey-tailed guy, who goes on to do very tough physical training and makes friends with many martial artists. In the coming seasons, he is to fight off foes from outer worlds, find dragon balls having mythical powers and train his own son into a super-saiyan.

Three seasons, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT have been released. The Manga, upon which this series is based, is one of the most-widely read ones today with more than 126 million copies sold in Japan alone. Although the first Manga series was released in 1986, it remains, to date, a well-liked anime among kids and teens.

Naruto

Want a taste of martial arts? And that too with some really cool characters doing some real ninjutsu? Well... here's the deal.

Yet another Manga-adapted anime series, Naruto is about a knucklehead kid who's led a lonely life because of the spirit of a monster, nine-tail fox, sealed within him until he passes the jonin exam and becomes a ninja. He forms a team with Sakura, the girl he loves and Sasuke, his fiercest rival and the cool, lone guy around. Kakashi is their teacher who trains them tough into very skilled ninjas.

The series is based entirely upon the shonin concepts from Japanese history — in other words, it's all about ninjas fighting and accomplishing mission assigned to them by Hokage, the leader of the village and most powerful of them. And of course, the presence of some very powerful enemies like the legendary ninja Orachimaru and Sasuke's gona-bad brother add the needed spice to the anime. Our heroes belong to the hidden leaf village. And there are five other such villages. So fierce rivals are not a rarity.

So far two series of the anime Naruto and Naruto Shippuden have been released. The Manga series has gathered acclaim in literary circles by claiming the Quill Award. The anime has also been adapted into video-games, anime movies, novels and trading card games.

Duel Masters

Playing cards, eh? Come on guys, that's so last-decade now! Let's have the fun of conjuring creatures, casting spells and summoning blockers with our cards from fire, water, darkness, earth and nature decks. Yes, that's what duel masters are all about.

This Manga-based anime revolves around a boy named Shobu Kirifuda who aspires to become a great duellist just like his father who gets killed in a duel as the series progresses. Duelling is basically a cards' game where you come up with your own-chosen decks of selected creatures, spells and blockers. A strategy has to be adopted to defeat your opponent for which you have to break his five shields and then do the final assault. The series contains many magnificent battles where Shobu faces duels with many fierce rivals on his way to becoming a great duelist.

The trading card game based upon Duel masters has gained immense popularity with entire IRC channels and software dedicated to it and competitions held in different parts of the world.

These are some of the most popular anime series around the globe with a fan-following of millions from all age-groups, particularly teens. And the anime-world doesn't end here! Apart from these Manga-based anime, there are those entirely different and awe-inspiring genres that use the latest technology to develop 3D, very realistic looking anime. Final Fantasy movies are one example of such anime.