Colorful lines shoot across the screen during an action-packed fight scene. Hearts pop out of a character’s huge eyes when they spot their crush. These details are hallmarks of the Japanese animation style called anime. Known for bold colors, exaggerated action and emotion, and comic book style, anime has been around for decades. But these days, its popularity
is skyrocketing.
Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001) were two of the first anime movies to hit big in the U.S. Since then, anime and anime-inspired movies and shows are setting new records. The Japanese series One Piece inspired a live-action adaptation that more than 72 million people watched. Even the directors of KPop Demon Hunters—Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time—say they were influenced by anime.
Alexander Olson, 14, from New York City, first watched anime when he was home sick two years ago. He’s been hooked ever since. “The fight scenes are always entertaining, and I really enjoy the amazing world-building,” he says.
Some people think that only animation produced in Japan should be called anime. Others believe that something like KPop Demon Hunters—which was made in the U.S. and inspired by Korean culture—should count too. But no matter how you define it, one thing is clear: Anime is everywhere!