Anime has come a long way from its early beginnings. Initially, it was an art form enjoyed exclusively by the Japanese, but it has since transformed into a global phenomenon that has substantially impacted pop culture worldwide. The shift from classics like Speed Raced or Astro Boy to nowadays hits such as Demon Slayer or The Last Airbender helped anime become mainstream.
The first commercial animation from Japan dates back to 1917, laying the foundation for what we now recognize today as anime. For a long time, anime was considered a niche category. However, that perception has dramatically shifted over the years, and Japanese animation is now celebrated as a global juggernaut, commanding the attention of millions worldwide. This piece will delve into the reasons behind anime’s explosive popularity recently.
Who Enjoys Anime the Most?
Fast-forward to 2024, and we see anime making waves in pop culture at a global level. According to a study run by Morning Consult, millennial men with a passion for film adaptations and TV are the biggest fans of anime. Their favorite titles were Pokemon and Avatar: The Last Airbender, which is unsurprising considering these were the anime that helped the genre progress.
Anime lovers influence their loved ones, and that’s how the circle grows. It was reported that over 50% of anime fans reported that they got into the genre when introduced by a family member or close friend. Furthermore, millennials are the main engine behind the current popularity of anime. There’s something about this generation that fits excellently well with anime. And it’s way beyond just watching a favorite TV show – the anime inspires their sense of style or taste in music.
How Did Anime Stand Out?
There are two main reasons anime experienced massive growth and increased influence. It’s the captivating characters with intricate stories, moral dilemmas, and social challenges. Then, you have the multiple human emotions depicted in the episodes. This is an excellent way to appeal to a broad audience of all backgrounds and ages. Later, anime greatly influenced those who wanted to experience different ways of thinking and seeing the world.
The Anime Influence Over Games and Entertainment
Anime’s impact on the gaming and entertainment landscape is unmistakable, stretching far beyond television and film. Video games, in particular, have seen a significant infusion of anime’s distinctive style and storytelling. Titles like “Persona 5,” “NieR: Automata,” and “Final Fantasy” series not only draw from anime’s rich visual aesthetics but also its deep narrative structures, appealing to fans and newcomers alike.
In casino games, the reach of anime is equally notable. A wave of casino games, especially those found in Japanese online casinos, have begun to adopt anime themes, characters, and narratives, creating a unique gaming experience that resonates with fans of the genre. This blend of entertainment mediums provides an intriguing mix of luck-based gameplay with the immersive storytelling and art style anime is known for. For those interested in exploring this niche, Japanese online casinos offer a wide array of anime-themed casino games, from slots to table games, each bringing a piece of anime culture into the gambling world.
Anime and its Influence Over Hollywood and Music
In 1995, “Ghost in the Shell” was released. It marked the beginning of Hollywood incorporating anime’s distinct visual and narrative elements into its movies, particularly in computer-generated imagery (CGI) and storytelling techniques. “The Matrix” is a notable example of this, with its anime-inspired essence due to the innovative work of the Wachowski Brothers.
They aimed to bring anime’s dynamic storytelling into live-action films, leading to “The Matrix,” a movie that fans of “Ghost in the Shell” quickly recognized as heavily drawing inspiration from the anime classic. After “The Matrix” became a success, the Wachowskis released “The Animatrix,” a collection of short films created by renowned Japanese animators, which expanded the universe of The Matrix with the unique flair of anime.
The influence of anime on Western cartoons is unmistakable, as seen in the stylistic choices of characters with big, expressive eyes in shows like “Teen Titans,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and “Spirited Away.” Interestingly, “Spirited Away” became the highest-grossing movie in Japan and the first anime film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, underscoring anime’s profound impact.
Anime’s growing influence has also made its way into the music industry. Popular series like “Naruto” and “Sailor Moon” have been featured in the lyrics and visuals of music videos by mainstream artists such as Megan Thee Stallion’s “Girls In The Hood” and Doja Cat’s “Like That,” demonstrating the genre’s pervasive reach into many aspects of popular culture.
Final Thoughts
Anime’s stamp on pop culture can’t be overstated. Its signature art style, engaging stories, and complex characters have positioned anime as a cultural powerhouse, influencing everything from the latest fashion statements to the tunes we groove to and even how stories are told on screen and canvas.
Anime has woven its way into the very fabric of pop culture, leaving a lasting legacy. Its influence continually expands, sparking new trends and breathing life into fresh forms of creative expression. With its unparalleled allure and narrative depth, anime is set to keep winning hearts and shaping culture across the globe for a long time.
