Anime, an animated art form originating in Japan, has become a worldwide phenomenon with millions of fans. It has had a profound impact on pop culture, being embraced by Hollywood, cartoons, and music. Anime has been found to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, and its influence on the gambling and fashion industries cannot be denied. Its popularity continues to grow.
The first Japanese commercial animation was created in 1917, which marks the beginning of the distinctively Japanese animated art form known as anime. Until recently, anime was thought of as a specific subgenre. This was before anime started to gradually change the nature of popular culture. Japanese animation has recently developed into a truly worldwide phenomenon, garnering millions of fans across the globe. In this article, we look at why anime’s popularity has sky-rocketed in recent years.
Who Are Japanese Anime’s Biggest Fans?
Anime’s deep and profound impact on pop culture cannot be denied today. According to a study by Morning Consult, most fans of anime are millennial men with a passion for TV and film adaptations of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Pokémon. At the same time, around 50% of all anime fans admit to first finding an interest in the anime genre when introduced to it by close friends and family members.
According to experts, millennials are the main driving force behind anime’s current growth in popularity and are passing the interest down to the next generation. Whether they enjoy contemporary anime series like Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia or legendary vintage series like Astro Boy and Speed Racer, it’s likely that their passion for these shows has also inspired their sense of style and clothes, even their taste in music.
What Helped Anime Stand Out?
Anime has had a powerful influence on the world in general, and pop culture in particular, due to its captivating characters and their mesmerizing styles and fashion sense, the culture it constantly showcases, and even the food and art featured in its series.
As more and more fans were drawn in, anime began to spark people’s interest in Japan, leading them to embrace the language, listen to Japanese music, learn martial arts, and try out specific Japanese foods.
What has helped anime to maintain its relevance, though, is a combination of factors, such as its unique ability to grow together with its viewers, while depicting a wide array of human emotions. Contrary to popular belief, it is not only aimed at a young audience but has been found to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Additionally, anime has also provided a great source of inspiration for those looking to think outside the box.
Anime and Online Casino Games
One of the industries that have been massively influenced by the popularity of manga and anime in Japan is, of course, the gambling industry. Ranging from dedicated Japanese online casinos with anime themes to platforms that display some of the most popular anime-themed slots like Moon Princess and Swipe Girl, the industry has gone through many changes all thanks to the rising popularity of anime.
Anime-themed slots feature amazing visual effects and upbeat music specific to anime, introducing players to enchanting realms while telling tales of bravery. These colorful gems have definitely changed the face of online casinos similar to the way pachinko parlors have been changed through the addition of anime-themed pachinko machines. These machines feature pulsating lights, bright, eye-catching colors, and animated voices while displaying scenes from the latest animes at the center of the displays.
Hollywood Movies, Cartoons, Music & Anime
Soon after the Ghost in the Shell anime was released back in 1995, Hollywood began embracing the aesthetics of anime into its movies. This has become particularly visible in terms of CGI and storytelling.
The Matrix became one of Hollywood’s most anime-flavored franchises to see the light of day. Thanks to the genius Wachowski Brothers who wanted to see anime be brought to life, The Matrix was born and Ghost in the Shell fans immediately noticed the anime was used as a source of inspiration for the blockbuster movie. The same brothers, later on, launched The Animatrix, a series of short stories generated by popular Japanese animators.
Anime also heavily influenced Western cartoons. The apparition of characters with big, round eyes and very expressive faces in cartoons like Teen Titans, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Spirited Away is living proof. The latter also turned into the highest-grossing film in the country’s history and became the only anime movie to be rewarded with an Academy Award in the Best Animated Feature Film category.
Music has also been influenced by the growing popularity of anime. Series like Naruto and Sailor Moon have made it into many popular artists’ songs and music videos like Megan The Stallion in “Girls In The Hood” and Doja Cat’s “Like That”.
Final Thoughts
Japanese anime has come a long way and its influence on pop culture is undeniable. It has shaped the way we think, and our fashion and entertainment choices, as well as influenced the gambling industry. It has also expanded to Hollywood, cartoons, and music. Anime’s impact on popular culture is clear and its popularity will likely continue to grow in the years to come.