THIS Is Why Anime Is So Popular On A Global Scale

Anime goes as far back as 1910-1917. Where the first generation of animators had their start.

But it wasn’t until the 80’s and 1990’s that anime exploded on an international level.

We can thank Pokemon, DBZ, One Piece, Yugioh, and so many other shows for that.

And it only continued into the early 2000’s with Death Note, Code Geass and other anime.

But back to the question: what makes anime so popular?

Why did it explode, and what continues to fuel the growth of anime in 2018 and beyond?

As much as I hate some of the reasons, it boils down to these 6 elements…

Why Anime Is Popular:

1. Fan-Service

miss kobayashis dragon maid fan service 1

Any normal person wouldn’t know what to think as a first time fan.

But let’s be brutally honest – FAN SERVICE is one of many reasons why anime is popular… Or haven’t you noticed some of the most popular shows are filled with fan-service?

Take the image above for example. They’re from the anime:

Gurren Lagann.
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid.

Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is very popular in the slice of life category. And Gurren Lagann? It’s popular as F.

We see the same things play out in anime.

I can’t stand it because it’s usually out of context, but it’s part of what makes anime popular nonetheless.

2. Storytelling

Kino’s Journey (or Kino’s Travels) is the perfect example of this.

Each episode is refreshing and focuses purely on telling interesting stories. Usually from the perspective of the people Kino meets from country to country.

Each person’s story teaches you a new life lesson and opens your eyes to a new way of seeing things. Even if it’s simplistic.

There are other anime that do this well. Like:

Psycho Pass.
Fairy Tail.
Hyouka.
The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.
Guardian Of The Sacred Spirit.

Storytelling is the reason anime like Code Geass is so popular. Among so many others that have given the industry tons of exposure over the years.

Without fresh storytelling, anime wouldn’t be as popular as it is in 2018.

3. Beautiful animation and art-style!

Where can you find animation + art styles ANYWHERE on the planet like anime? It doesn’t exist…

Outside of Japan, animation tends to be:

More cartoon-ish.
Childish.
Simple drawings.
Unrealistic designs with weird body proportions.
And the backgrounds are also simple.

This is intentional, but anime takes this a step further with special effects and techniques no modern-day film or cartoon is able to achieve.

That’s why it appeals to so many age groups.

4. Great fight/action scenes

Imagine anime without supernatural/action shows? It wouldn’t be the same.

It’s these types of Shounens and action series that make anime special and wildly popular (even to a fault).

The obvious shows that come to mind are:

Dragon Ball Super

Akame Ga Kill

Taboo Tattoo

Bleach

Code Geass

And a long list of other anime shows.

5. Relatable characters

Tomoya Okazaki is a parent in the second season of Clannad.

While his circumstances aren’t common, you can relate to how he feels if you’re a young parent.

It doesn’t matter what the anime is, or how emotional (or non-emotional) it is, we can always relate. To at least 1 or 2 characters who share:

Personality traits.
Hardships.
Our sense of humour.
Painful losses we’ve dealt with.

Or any other variation of life experience and characteristics.

6. Anime is HILARIOUS

Japan is different to the world in many ways (culture, society, etc). These differences make for a very unique comedy experience.

Personally, comedy within anime is even better than comedy in the west… Because with anime – it’s animated, so there’s more freedom with facial expressions, silly visuals, alongside funny references and so on.

Films can’t achieve this even if they tried for one obvious reason: films have real people in it.

And that’s the advantage anime has that makes it so much funnier, and more hilarious. Since there’s more freedom to add humor with animation techniques or drawings.