When did anime become so thought-provoking? Well, the first Gundam series started in April 1979. Of course, going all the way back to Astro Boy (manga begun April 1952) you've had works informing the Japanese consciousness. (Someone once described Astro Boy as "the series that taught us that robots are people, too.") So I'd say that the correct answer is "always."
April 1979
When did anime become so thought-provoking? Well, the first Gundam series started in April 1979. Of course, going all the way back to Astro Boy (manga begun April 1952) you've had works informing the Japanese consciousness. (Someone once described Astro Boy as "the series that taught us that robots are people, too.") So I'd say that the correct answer is "always."