Deidara from the popular manga and anime Naruto might be onto something when he claims, "Look at those fools. They have no appreciation for art. You have to feel art. And true art... is an EXPLOSION!" I have noticed for some time now that anime—which was previously considered “niche” and “nerdy”—is breaking the seams of its original confinement and growing to be popular and admired by many. As for why anime originally had an exclusive following? Well, it consists of a few reasons: dramatism of the genre, the intensity of fandom, and accessibility. As far as dramatism, anime can be very intense in dialogue, plot lines, and imagery which can refrain viewers from liking it or investing time. A lot of anime also reiterate motifs through long passionate speeches that can become monotonous, but it is the art and method of communication for the genre. 

Moreover, for a lot of people, what may come to mind when they think anime is cosplay and almost cult-like following fandom. While it is respected, and there is merit in making anime part of one’s lifestyle—it even brought more publicity to the genre—it isn’t for everyone. Stereotypes were born out of the fantastical and eccentric appreciation, which gives it its “niche” and “nerdy” categorization. As a result, there was pressure to be an obsessive follower of anime, or one was not considered a true fan, and this further dissuaded people from watching the genre. However, recently the characteristics of “what makes a fan” have become lenient with more exposure to anime. I also found that people have started watching anime due to their friends introducing it to them and convincing them to give it a watch. 

Before and during the 2000’s, there were not many US platforms that viewed anime. There were either a very limited number of shows offered, or fans had to obtain viewing by other means. Recently streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll advertise anime and allow for easy access to subscribers. Netflix has even introduced original anime series such as Romantic Killer, Blue Period, and Kakegurui that embrace most of the effects and aesthetics of traditional Japanese anime--this also includes the language as an option for viewing.

Aside from streaming services, anime has expanded on other forms of entertainment and media. For instance, Instagram and TikTok advertise anime with short trailers or scenes that are just revealing enough to entice the audience to watch—or through popular videos that make it through the algorithm. Popular videos I have seen display anime in multiple forms; from recreating fashion looks based on anime characters, drawing anime characters in different artistic mediums, or simple ratings of anime based on different criteria. While these videos have their own respective followings, they universally popularize anime as a genre.

Recently, short illustrated webcomics that adopt some of the more traditional styles of manga and animation are also being popularized on platforms such as Webtoon, Manta, WebComics, and Tappytoon—although this is an unexhausted list of applications. On these platforms, artists create original comics with unique plots and characters. Exemplar webcomics that have risen to fame are Lore Olympus, which takes a modern take on Greek mythology (specifically the tale of Hades and Persephone), and True Beauty, which follows a South Korean girl from her youth to adulthood as she struggles with self-esteem and image. These manga-like stories have transformed from being webcomics to volumes that can be bought at stores such Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

There are also popular anime that are associated with card games, such as Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!. I would say these have a more exclusive fan base due to the card-playing, collecting, and trading culture that surrounds it. But they are still being popularized today due to the exposure from gaming consoles such as Nintendo and gaming apps such as Pokémon Go.

The overall direction that anime has taken over the last 30 years has dispersed immensely. Shows such as Dragon Ball Z, Cowboy Bebop, One Piece, InuYasha, Bleach, and--my personal favorite--Sailor Moon have paved the way for more recent anime productions as well as inspired many transcendent motifs such as loyalty, struggle, and resilience. A lot of anime aims to portray human struggle and human development, which is why they can surpass 10 seasons, consist of more than 500 episodes, or have many spin-offs. However, for this reason, anime such as Naruto, FullMetal Alchemist, Fairytale, and Hunter x Hunter may not have as many new viewers compared to shorter and more recent anime such as Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, Sword Art Online, or The Seven Deadly Sins. Nonetheless, these recent anime still mirror their predecessors with similar themes and messages.

In the end, anime has transfigured from an eccentric and underappreciated form of media to a well-received art form that is now sought-after and exposed to many. Contemporary anime, while creating and illustrating new storylines and arcs, still places heavy emphasis on Japanese traditions.  For instance, many newly introduced anime utilizes themes that communicate some of the most beautiful and complex natures of humanity and aim to shed light on the value and beauty of life through an array of dynamically developing characters. Roy Mustang from Fullmetal Alchemist said it best with, “The world isn’t perfect. But it’s there for us, doing the best it can…. that’s what makes it so damn beautiful.” Whether one is a hardcore fan fully immersed in the world of anime or just treading the water and exploring their genre of interest such as: shonen, harem, or slice-of-life, there are many to dip into. But once one starts watching anime or reading manga, they will never go back. Their eyes have been opened to a new world of art that is ever-flourishing and exploding.

March 2023