There are a few anime that are really good when it comes to comedy.
Kyou Kara ore wa is one such anime. Do you have any others recommendations for this list?
The first known animation to come from Japan is Katsudo Shashin. Experts debate its age, but it's thought to have been created between 1907 - 1911. This short clip was likely shown in a private home to entertain guests, rather than be publicly available.
Otherwise Astro boy in 1960s would be what we know as anime today.