Generally "anime" refers to "japanese" animated productions, not cartoons (western, mostly US). Some people can get very serious about that ;)
I am not sure if I should (can) accept that.
I mean it is
A) graphic style difference
B) deepness difference
B is mostly because in the US cartoons are made for small children (or old military training which tells you a lot lol).
Animes are often made (and I am not even talking about hentai) for grown ups and can be very bloody or serious.
slow claps
This is....very educational.... I learned a lot today...