If I want to make an anime, do I need to live in Japan or do I need some sort of Japanese heritage?

Answer 1

"Anime" is what animation is called in Japan, but in the west it has become a term for Japanese Animation. So to an American, "anime" refers only to animations made in Japan, but in Japan it would also refer to animations made in America. This is also somewhat complicated by the fact that it has become a marketing term in the US, being applied to American-made projects that are inspired by Japanese animation, like Avatar: The Last Airbender, but not being applied the to things like Thundercats despite the animation work having been done by a Japanese studio. It's further complicated by international coproductions.

But the short version is basically this: "Anime" is just a label. It means different things to different people, but your art is your art no matter what table people apply to it. There are American animators who are influenced by Japanese animators, and Japanese animators who are influenced by American animators and in both cases the work that they produce is what it is, regardless of what it's called. Any art that you create is always going to be influenced by the art that you like, and you can't control what anybody will label it as. The only thing you can do is make the art that you think is best, as well as you are able.