What is the Japanese word for anime?

Anime is technically the Japanese Word.

The Word began as "animation" from English. When it went over to Japan, the Word condensed to "anime" (because Japanese like to condense Words). The Word began to be used for what we know anime today as.

Then, the Japanese animations, now called "anime" crossed over to the US and other countries.

Therefore, Anime is technically Japanese, but also English :P