What Makes Anime So Popular Internationally? Posted Aug 8, 2019

As a fan of anime, you already know that it is mainly produced in Japan. However, the popularity of anime has exploded during recent years. It has spread to the Western states. From there, it has caught like wildfire. Suffice to say, anime is only going to get more popular from here on out. In the United States, only a small percentage of the population enjoys anime. The others haven't caught on yet but it is just a matter of time until they do. So, what is it that makes anime so popular on the international level? What characteristics make it so successful outside of Japan?

It Is Experimental

One thing to note about anime is the fact that it is experimental. When you watch a lot of cartoons, you will notice that the drawings try to be lifelike. They attempt to represent the character perfectly. This was true for Tom and Jerry and other similar cartoons. Well, anime is unique in this category. It is experimental. Take a look at the characters and you’re going to see exaggerated features. The facial features are wacky and unrealistic. Nevertheless, it has a lot of charm.

And, it should be noted that the experimentation goes beyond the drawings. The creators of anime are given the ability to put their imagination to use. Nothing is holding them back. The freedom to experiment gives Japanese anime creators the ability to produce works that are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

More Accessible

In the past, online pokies real money were unpopular. Why? Well, they were inaccessible. This is also true with anime. Several years ago, it would have been very difficult to obtain access to anime. You would need to use the Internet to read them. This has changed a lot during recent years. Now, you just need to use streaming services like Hulu and Netflix. When you do, you’ll be able to watch a lot of manga and anime content. A lot of people still prefer the comics. However, the television or streaming content has helped create new fans.

Once they’ve watched an anime show on Netflix, they’ll be eager to go out and read the actual anime. This has made anime much more popular in the United States.

Attitudes Are Changed

Another thing to note is that attitudes have changed during recent years. In the past, a lot of people through it was lame to be a geek. The cool kids would harass people they caught watching anime. This is no longer the case. Anime is more mainstream than ever before. In fact, it can be cool to watch anime and geek out over it. Nerd culture has become mainstream and this has encouraged more people to get in on the action. It is common for students in American classrooms to sit around and talk about anime. Why not? You’re no longer going to be a social outcast for liking this type of content.

In fact, it might help you develop a few friendships.

Building An Audience

Finally, it should be noted that Japanese creators understand that there is an audience for their anime in the United States. This has changed things a lot. These anime creators have decided to change things to better cater to the American audience. Why not? The American economy is thriving and there is money to be made in this country. The Japanese know this and they’re doing everything they can to draw in new American fans.

This is why a lot of modern anime shows and comics cater to Americans. A larger number of anime shows and comics is now being distributed in the United States. That is one of the main reasons that it has become so popular internationally.

Summary

Ultimately, there is something great about anime. It is unique. Unlike many American cartoons, anime manages to connect with the viewer in a way that wasn’t possible before. These shows and comics are emotionally gripping and they hold onto the viewer’s attention from start to finish. When you look at it this way, it is easy to see why anime has become a major success on the international level. Its popularity is most likely going to continue growing in the years to come.

Editor’s Note:

I have to disagree with the author's statement that a lot of American cartoons are drawn to be life-like. Some are, but many are not, including the author's example of Tom and Jerry. I'm also unclear as to what the author means by "read the actual anime"... are they trying to say read the actual manga? Or are they talking about reading subtitles while listening to the original Japanese dialog instead of watching a dubbed version?