The Japanese cartoon style similar to anime commonly referred to in crosswords and popular culture is "ANIME." Anime is a distinct animation style originating from Japan, characterized by colorful artwork, fantastical themes, and vibrant characters, and is widely recognized as a genre of Japanese cartoon style.

In crossword puzzles, the clue "Japanese cartoon style" typically has "ANIME" as the 5-letter answer. Anime influences various animation styles worldwide and also has related art styles like "manga" (Japanese comics) and "chibi" (exaggerated super-deformed characters common in anime and manga).

To summarize:

• The most common crossword answer for Japanese cartoon style similar to anime is "ANIME."
• Anime is a well-known and culturally rich animation style from Japan.
• Related terms include "manga" and "chibi," which are also styles associated with Japanese illustrated storytelling and animation.

This provides a direct answer for the crossword context and helps understand the style's significance and variations.