In the past few years, anime has gone from being a dorky hobby to a trending topic; what happened? It seems like every store is selling anime merchandise. Kids, and even many adults, are representing popular titles likeMy Hero AcademiaorJujutsu Kaisenon their clothing and cars.Anime theme songs regularly trend on social mediaplatforms, while celebrities confidently wear cosplay for the cameras. For the fans that have been at this for more than a few years, it can be almost jarring to witness. Something has shifted in the past decade or so, allowing fandom in general to thrive in the light of day. When did this change occur? It certainly didn’t happen overnight, though it does seem like anime as well as Japanese culture in general are becoming more and more popular in the West by the day.
For a long time, having an interest in this style of animation from the East was considered immature or nerdy. Many enjoyers kept quiet about their niche hobby outside their circles of friends who were in the know. While there may be entirewebsites devoted to streaming anime availableto pretty much anyone now, things haven’t always been so simple. There was a time when the only way a person could watch the next episode of their favorite was if they could find a copy of the following VHS or DVD volume. For titles that hadn’t yet received a translation, a lengthy internet search was required to find not only the content, but a fan-made translation as well. Forget merch unless the one buying was willing to import the goods from the source. Times were rough for the weebs of times past.
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We Started at the Bottom
Rewind back to 1961, when the first two Japanese animated movies were translated into English.According to Wikipedia, that was whenMagic BoyandThe White Snake Enchantresswere released in the United States. While these two didn’t necessarily become a smash hit, later, when Astro Boy was released in 1964, “Japanimation” was able to finally take root in the West. In the following years,Speed Racermade its debut to great success. In the 1980s, manytitles that are still familiar todaymade their way overseas, includingDragon Ball, though this was the Harmony Gold version, which didn’t take off like the one we know today.
This decade also saw the first of Hayao Miyazaki’s films hitting the West, which would later be re-dubbed and released theatrically by Disney. While it was gaining popularity along the way, it wasn’t until the 1990s that an average person would even recognize the genre, and that was still uncommon. When publishers like Funimation, Viz, and 4kids started cropping up and adding variety to the lineup, things really started to get going.
Today, youwon’t find many who don’t knowSailor MoonorDragon Ball, and the ’90s were when they both rose up to capture the youth’s hearts in a vice-like grip. With these two hugely popular cartoons dominating the attention of so many, it would be easy to assume that this was when anime became mainstream, but alas, that would be incorrect. While it was certainly recognized, and opinions about it were improving, it wasn’t exactly considered cool. Conventions and cosplay were only just beginning to make ground, and fans, then dubbed “otaku” were often the butt of jokes. What has changed from then to now?
The Pioneers of Cringe
It began with Hawaiian shirts. Those over a certain age will remember. Initially, there were just a few, but soon, entire school yards were filled with boys in button-upDragon Ball Zshirts, shouting about power levelsand crying out. “Kamehameha!“Later, came theNarutorun. Let us not forget the “yaoi paddles”. Things were not looking good for the community. While these young fans may have been painting anime lovers as the “weird kids”, they were getting the word out.
The more they consumed, the more money companies put into bringing content and merchandise overseas. By the turn of the century, anime and manga could be found at any local mall. As the phenomenon continued to gain traction over the next decade, more and more people considered to be “productive members of society” felt comfortable in their fandom. Merch for popular shows started appearing in department stores. Celebrities and athletes began to vocalize their love of characters and shows. Skip ahead to today, where artists like Bbno$ are using cosplay as a means for music promotion. Even an artist as popular as Megan Thee Stallion is not only dressing as favorite characters, but rapping about them as well. Not to mention theoriginal anime she has in the works.
Is someone different at age 18 or 60? I believe one stays the same.
The Cultural Phenomenon Taking Over Animation
Waiting Around Every Corner
Anime has taken over. One would be pressed to find a person who didn’t at least know about it. Chances are, they would already have a list of favorites lined up to share. The culture has come so far that it has even crept into fashion. Going past mere graphic tees and hoodies,there are even full anime collections availablefrom some designers.
It’s common to see people with brightly-colored hair chopped into cuts that are reminiscent of your favorite character. Anime tattoos are a regular sight these days, too. Just look closely the next time you spot someone with a sleeve. No matter where one goes, it seems they’re certain to run into some trace of Japanese artistry. For anime fans, old and new, it’s a glory to behold. What’s better than being able to enjoy something with so many others?
Paving the Way for Future Fans
So, how did things get to this point? The fans, of course. The people who love anime the most are rarely quiet about it, and this has been true since the beginning. More than a few anime lovers were introduced to the genre by someone who desperately wanted to share the thing they enjoyed. That enthusiasm is what ultimately led to the exponential growth ofthis animation style’s popularity. Even titles created in other countries have adopted art styles that resemble those of Japanese manga-ka and animators.
That’s what made it clear to those with deep pockets that it’s a worthy investment. If one thing is clear about society, it’s that money talks. Every manga purchased, every figure bought was a message, screaming “Anime is profitable!” That message was heard loud and clear, and now the fans get to benefit.Events like One Piece Daycan be attended in the States. Actors, athletes, and artists are proudly displaying their fandom, shaking the remaining doubts of those who consider the culture cringy. It’s a great time to love anime, and it looks like it will only get better from here.
