How was the first anime made? Anime production nowadays is now pretty much complicated and technologically advanced.

I'm curious as to how was anime production back then back in the old days when it was still obscure?
The very first anime (see more) - Katsudō Shashin was sketched onto a celluloid strip using a kappa-ban for a Magic Lantern, adjusted for continuous play.


(Arthur Mee and Holland Thompson, eds. The Book of Knowledge (New York, NY: The Grolier Society, 1912))

Previously, the magic lantern had been occasionally been used to tell stories, but none in a fluid manner like Katsudo Shashin. It's claim to be the 'first anime' is still debated due to many things, including its length.



The basic principle of the Magic lantern is magnification through a convex lens. This meant however, that slides were put in upside down in order to be projected at the correct orientation.

The origins of the Magic lantern are estimated to lie in the 17th century, 

Whilst Magic Lanterns fell out of use, celluloid sheets continued to be used for many years, until they were eventually replaced by digital methods.