It’s A Symbol Of Japan
As we said above, anime has become associated with Japan for better or for worse. Whilst this sounds obvious because it all comes from Japan the point is a bit of a different one.
When people talk about a country’s influence around the world, they talk about two types of power: ‘hard’ power and ‘soft’ power. ‘Hard’ power is the sort of power which we conventionally understand as power: with guns, invasions, and soldiers.
‘Soft’ power, however, is about culture. The US is very good at this: everyone across the world listens to American music, watches American films and TV shows, and speaks English.
Anime is Japan’s own version of all this. If everyone is watching Japanese anime, of course, Japan is going to be happy about this and so will give the industry as much help as it can get.
Japans Recent History Coincides With The Rise Of Anime
The spread of anime all over the world has been rapid in the last few decades. But the industry has a somewhat intertwined recent history with Japan. Anime was popular in the country even before the birth of the modern Japanese film industry. This animated art was also the first-ever form of mass broadcast media in the country.
Anime started in Japan during the Meiji Era. During this period, there was a significant exchange in culture between Europe, the US, and Japan. However, the first commercial anime production in Japan was published in 1917. The piece, titled Makuzo Imokawa, The Doorman, was done by Oten Shimokawa.
But the first animated anime feature film came in 1945, a very difficult time for Japan. This was during the second world war. The 1945 feature film was funded by the Japanese Imperial Navy. It was meant to lift the spirits of Japanese children growing up during the war.
The Rise Of The Cuteness Culture In Japan
The rise of the Kawaii culture in Japan started in the 1970s. The idea began as a cute form of writing, often associated with Japanese schoolgirls. These school kids would use specialized pens to present cute handwriting. Typically, cute handwriting involved very fine lines. It would also normally include randomly inserted pictures like stars, hearts, and emojis. There were even letters from the Latin alphabet.
However, cute handwriting was very different from traditional Japanese writing. It was also so difficult to read and as a result, it was banned in Japans schools. But the idea was already born. In the 1980s, popular national magazines and manga issues started to use cute hardwiring in their copies. Cute handwriting also found applications in product packaging and ads.
Just like that, the Kawaii aesthetic was born. Cuteness was now inserted into every facet of Japans society and people loved it. For instance, Pokémon decorations are very common in Japans bullet trains. Images of Manga and anime characters like Doraemon, Hamtaro, and Hello Kitty are also very popular in phone accessories across the country.
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The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya
The slice-of-life anime The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is one of the best anime after 2000s. It is initially published as a light novel in 2003, which was adapted into anime in 2006. Before releasing the anime, there had been already a large number of fans of the light novel. The first season of the anime never bored them by broadcasting the stories out of order, which were not chronological.
The anime represent the daily life of SOS Brigade which is the school club established by the main heroine Haruhi Suzumiya. But, she is not just a human
Air Dates: 2006-2009Genre: Sekaikei, Slice of life, Comedy, Science Fiction, Time loopRecommended for Beginners/Anime Fans
The 5 Most Popular Shonen Anime In Japan
Shonen anime is the most popular genre of anime, but the audience’s favorites in this genre differ greatly between Japan and the West.
The shonen genre of anime has a lot of talking behind it. Being the most popular of any anime genre, shonen series have constant debates surrounding them based around which of these series are the best and the most popular. Of course, the answer to this question is never consistent among fans.
What some don’t put into consideration is the fact that the favorite anime of the West and Japan greatly differ from one another due to how the audiences were introduced to these series.
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My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom
This anime series is about Catarina Claes, a young daughter of a noble family. One day, she bumps her head and recalls her previous life as an otaku. She then finds she has been reborn into the universe of the otome game Fortune Lover as the games villain. In this game, the player is bound to be exiled or killed no matter which route is taken. So as to avoid these deadly routes, Catarina starts to take countermeasures. However, this has unintended effects on her relationships with the other characters in the games world.
What will Catarina do to escape from the deadly game? If you really want to know, check My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! out immediately!
Why Anime Is So Popular In Japan: The Top 5 Reasons Japanese Like Anime So Much
Anime is an extremely popular form of art in Japan. Millions of people watch anime and read manga in their pastime. Japan is also the global capital of anime. Its local original titles have achieved global success in recent decades. But why do Japanese love anime so much? Well, here are five of the top reasons.
Anime in Japan often comes in colorful and vibrant graphics. There are so many genres too and richness of characters. Anime and manga sometimes refer to the larger animation industry in Japan. However, there is a small difference. Anime simply refers to Japanese animation series and shows. Manga on the other hand is the Japanese version of comic books or graphic novels. Nonetheless, both are very popular in the country. So, lets get to the reasons why below.
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West: Cromartie High School
Based on the popular manga which ran from the turn of the century and until 2006, Cromartie High School premiered in 2003 to uproarious laughter rave success. The story follows the daily life of Takashi Kamiyama and his unique cast of classmates at the titular Cromartie High School, an infamous school for delinquents.
The series aired in America on G4 TV on their late-night block to rave reviews, being recognized for its strange and comedic nature, and its creative blend of characters. Cromartie High School has spawned movie adaptions, as well as books and manga publications, and it was voted one of the greatest comedy anime of the last 20 years.
Relatable Characters And Real Topics
Though anime is a series of cartoons, it can also be about things that happen in the real world. It does not just talk about good things like happiness and laughter. Anime can also show topics like sadness and depression.
Anime is different from Western cartoons. Anime series are more serious, but they are also colorful and cute. They have themes like PTSD and mental illness, difficulty in finding lifes purpose, and struggling to survive.
Anime is not just for children. It is for anyone who watches it. The age to watch it can vary from mature adults to adolescents. The key draw with anime is that the story and message are woven together nicely. You must find the message by deeper understanding and inspection of the anime.
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No Not All Japanese People Like Anime
So, yes, anime is popular in Japan.
However, it wouldn’t be so surprising if we were to find out that Japanese people often ask, why is Disney so popular in America?
These would be good questions. Yet, we know, living here, that, really, not everyone likes or even watches Disney Shows.
In the same way, of course, a lot of Japanese people don’t care at all about anime. Just as plenty of Americans don’t like Hollywood, or plenty of Colombians don’t dance
Anime: Why Is It So Important To Japanese Culture
In 2016, the Japanese anime industry made a handsome $17.7 billion in revenue. This incredible amount resulted from seven years of consecutive growth but only signaled a 10% increase.
Meanwhile, if we look at the domestic box office earnings, we would see a 14% increase in revenue. Moreover, the total overseas sales experienced an increase of almost one-third over the previous year.
All of this clearly shows that the anime industry is hugely popular in Japan and across the world. So now the question is, what factors make anime so significant in Japan’s culture?
For starters, popular anime characters have been strongly associated with Japanese culture. This is highlighted by the fact that Japan’s government-sanctioned mascot for water day is a Pokemon named Vaporeon!
Additionally, anime has been around for decades, and considering its ever-growing popularity, it is not going anywhere soon.
Over the years, despite massive technological advancements in media and entertainment, anime and manga have stood their ground.
As a result, despite its Nippon origins, anime has found massive audiences in the US, Europe, and the rest of the world.
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Japanese Love For Anime From Early Age
The locals of Japan start to watch anime at a relatively early age however, it does not end there. The genres and categories of these animations are age-specific.
In Japan, children typically start watching anime soon after they can comprehend visuals and texts. Moreover, there are specialized samples of anime categories available for children between 6 and 18.
These categories also assist the personal interests of both genders. For instance, there are specialized anime segments for girls of different ages entirely depending upon their interests, and the same goes for boys.
Some animes are not age-specific and attract a wider audience one example of this is Shonen. This is an anime character who portrays an adventurous spirit resulting in action-packed stories.
On the other side of the discussion, girls aged 12 would typically and most commonly show interest in watching “Shonen-ai,” which loosely translates to “Boy Love.” This anime features charismatic romance and romantic themes.
Furthermore, there are animes specifically for adults, generally, those aging above 18 years. This category is known as Seinen, which translates to “adult” in English.
The category specializes in the animation of more mature content, and so the themes are related.
Life Lessons With Uramichi Oniisan
The anime centers around Uramichi Omota, a 31-year-old former professional gymnast. He appears on TV as a cheerful workout instructor for a childrens show Together with Maman, but he cant seem to keep his caustic remarks to himself at times.
If you are interested in the cheerful workout instructor in Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan, you must check it out right now!
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The Ultimate List Of The Most Popular Anime In Japan
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The anime scene has dominated the Japanese market for ages. Since the first animated movie came out, sometime before the Second World War, people fell in love with the genre. Naturally, with this love for anime, the market for them greatly developed in Japan. Below, Ive listed the most popular anime in Japan so that you can get familiar with the genre or simply enjoy some amazing series.
Popular In Japan: Slam Dunk
In Japan, the hit shonen series from Takehito Inoue, Slam Dunk is as popular as they come. This sports anime is actually the one that put sports anime on the map and is still held by many fans of the medium as the absolute best that the sports subgenre of anime has to offer.
This series took the nation by storm and even enjoyed some popularity in the West and was a key figure in the introduction of anime to the West.
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Popular In Japan: Detective Conan
Detective Conan or Case Closed is one of those anime series that Western audiences look at and wonder, “Why is that anime so popular in Japan?” Detective Conan is one of the longest-running series in Japan both in the worlds of anime and manga and its popularity seems to be everlasting.
In Japan, this series’ manga counterpart is constantly on the best-selling list. It is hailed as one of the juggernauts of anime and manga there.
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What Is So Special About Anime
It is currently estimated that at least 60% of the worlds animated series are of Japanese origin, so the influence of anime within pop culture is undeniable.
Anime culture has penetrated so deeply into the society that Japans culture is more recognized for these productions than many other things.
To understand how significant this phenomenon is, we can go back to 2004. In that year, Japan sent tanker trucks to Iraq to help reconstruct this territory. However, the Iraqis felt that the population would not recognize the Japanese flag stamped on the trucks sides.
This led to the Japanese government deciding to decorate the trucks with posters of Captain Tsubasa, a popular Anime character so that people would recognize the origin of the trucks.
But what makes it special? The answer lies in the audience. It turns out that anime productions usually have complex and deep plots, so it is common for the audience to immerse themselves in the experience fully.
In anime, the stories are told in a very peculiar way, where plots that are somewhat crazy and different come to light, no matter how risky they seem.
The truth is that Japanese animation studios know that they have a very diverse audience, so they have no problem experimenting with genres, plots, styles, and characters for all ages, from the youngest to the most adult.
People In Japan Watch Anime At A Very Early Age
The Japanese start to view anime at a very early age. But it doesnt end there. Anime genres are very age-specific. You literally transition across anime like a rite of passage. Typically, children in Japan start viewing anime the moment they can comprehend visual text. Specialized categories of anime are also available for kids between the ages of 6 and 18. These categories further accommodate both genders.
For example, boys in this age group normally watch Shonen. This is a boy-specific form of anime that features adventure and action-packed stories. On the other hand, girls above the age of 12 would typically want Shonen-ai. This loosely translates to Boy Love. It features romantic themes. Adults above the age of 18 years also have specialized anime categories locally referred to as Seinen. This translates to adult. The category normally involves mature themes.
In essence, anime captures the experiences of the Japanese right from childhood until adulthood. This continuity in animated content creates a very strong attachment between people and the anime they consume. Initially, anime specifically started to target children. But as demand for the art grew, more and more genres sprouted up.
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The Honor At Magic High School
Tatsuya Shiba is a bodyguard for his sister Miyuki Shiba, who is also a candidate for the Yotsuba clans leadership, one of the Ten Master Clans that governs Japans magicians. They enroll in First High School, which divides pupils into groups according to their magical skills. Miyuki is a first-year student who is considered one of the greatest, but Tatsuya is a second-year student who is considered magically inept. Tatsuyas technical knowledge, combat talents, and unique magic techniques, on the other hand, cause him to be seen as an outlier in the schools standardized rankings.
The Honor at Magic High School is one of the top animes right now in Japan that should be listed in your must-watch anime list.
What Type Of Anime Is Popular In Japan
Just like in other countries, there are many different types and genres of anime that are popular in Japan! The anime that people like in Japan is often different depending on their age, gender and other factors. There are many different categories and genres of anime in Japan, each having their own popularity rankings within the category. Due to this, it is hard to say what kind of anime is most popular in Japan as anime is so diverse. Another factor that may affect the kind of anime that is popular in Japan is the animation studio of manga magazine that it is a part of. For example, anime that has been created from manga published in Shonen Jumps weekly manga magazine almost always becomes popular across the country!
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