About:

This visualization aims to showcase the relationships between popular anime shows by mapping them as interconnected nodes. Each show is represented as a node, with connections formed based on a similarity score. The primary goal is to help anime enthusiasts explore recommendations by identifying shows similar to their favourites. By visualizing these connections, users can discover new anime that align with their interests.

Data:

The data for this visualization was obtained from AniList, a popular platform where anime fans track, review, and recommend shows. The similarity score between two anime is determined by aggregating user recommendations. If a significant number of users recommend Show B while viewing Show A’s page (and vice versa), the connection between them strengthens, leading to a higher similarity score. This bidirectional scoring ensures accurate and meaningful relationships between anime.

Intended Users:
This project caters to a niche community of anime enthusiasts who are curious about how different shows are connected. It is designed for fans who want to discover new anime based on their favorites and for those interested in the broader landscape of anime similarities. The visualization was initially created out of curiosity, and after being published online, it received widespread appreciation from viewers who were fascinated by its insights.

Insights:

This visualization allows users to explore and answer several questions, such as:

• What anime should I watch next based on my favorite series?

• How similar are two specific anime?

• How many shows share similarities with a particular anime?

Users can click on any anime node to view its connections, with a tooltip displaying similarity scores for shows that meet a certain threshold. This enables users to make informed viewing choices based on real user recommendations.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

1. Visually engaging design – The graph provides a clear and intuitive representation of anime relationships.

2. Easily identifiable connections – The thickness of the connecting lines represents the strength of similarity, making it simple to see strong relationships.

3. Search functionality – Users can search for specific anime, ensuring quick access to relevant information.

4. Interactive tooltips – Displaying similarity scores helps users understand how closely related different anime are.

Cons:

1. Limited dataset – The visualization only includes a subset of anime, which may not capture all possible connections.

2. Performance issues – A large dataset can cause lag, making navigation less smooth.

3. Difficult to locate specific anime – With a vast number of nodes, finding a particular show can be challenging.

4. Requires prior interest or knowledge – Users unfamiliar with anime recommendations might find the visualization confusing at first.

5. Not updated in real-time – The dataset is static, meaning it won’t include newly released anime.

6. Tooltip limitations – Only the selected node displays its similarity scores, making it harder to view details for multiple connected nodes at once.

Conclusion:

This visualization serves as a powerful tool for anime fans, offering a unique way to explore and compare shows based on community-driven recommendations. While it has some limitations, its ability to uncover hidden connections and provide tailored recommendations makes it a valuable resource for discovering new anime.

Links:

1)        Reddit page with download link to file

2)        Other page with the same premise

3)        Anilist

Credits:

1. u/trolltest123

2. u/clapyourhands59