International interest inanimebegan as early as the 1980s, growing slowly over decades into mainstream reception. Thanks to home videos, television programs like Toonami, and the internet, anime has become far more accessible than it was in the 80s. The increase in the U.S. anime fanbase extends beyond screens and can be seen in several popular culture elements.
Initially, the cultural differences between anime and U.S. media were jarring; however, the release ofseveral high-quality animehas turned that confusion into deep interest and a thriving anime fanbase to show for it. Although this increase can be attributed to several anime, some titles contributed far more significantly.
10Attack On Titan Inspired A New Generation Of Anime Viewers
Hajime Isayama’s manga first debuted as anime in 2013, combining post-apocalyptic horror with politics and action. Thanks tostreaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix,Attack on Titanbecame a U.S. hit. It began trending over heated discussions about the characters’ complex desires, motives, and actions.
Attack on Titanbrought in a new wave of anime fans, whose interest went beyond flashy and gory fight scenes. The anime sparked conversations about the heavier subjects it explored in both subtle and more obvious ways. The slow release of the final season had viewers highly expectant, drawing new viewers to anime in the process.
9Hello Kitty Opened The Door To Japanese Pop Culture In America
Although Hello Kitty isn’t anime in the traditional sense, Kitty White’s contribution to anime’s increased consumption is hard to ignore; Hello Kitty was more than a series. After its creation in 1974, it went ahead to mark the 80s and 90s with its clear-cut design and branding, bringing Japanese pop culture into U.S. homes.
Several clothing lines and children’s items like lunchboxes and toys were launched as Hello Kitty merch, helping the series seep into fashion, design, and pop culture. Because of this, the series often got criticized as shallow or simply commercial. True or not, Hello Kitty was an entryway for traditional anime.
8Neon Genesis Evangelion Turned Controversy Into Cultural Impact
Neon Genesis Evangelioninspired just enough disagreement to boost its profile while solidifying its place in the American anime canon. After its release in 1995, U.S. viewers were not convinced by its complicated themes. The anime explored religion, philosophy, and psychology, which increased the story’s thematic depth, at the cost of alienating some viewers.
Despite the initial reception,Neon Genesis Evangelionis one of the most debated and beloved anime.Rei and Asuka are go-to characters for cosplayersbecause of their distinct personalities and design. Their contrast almost mirrors the anime’s fanbase, which has grown much larger after the anime’s initial release.
7One Piece Sailed Past Early Setbacks To Win U.S. Fans
Eiichiro Oda’sOne Piecegrew in popularity slowly, debuting in 1999 and now spanning over 1000 episodes. When 4Kids Entertainment introduced the story to the Western audience, that version wasn’t well received. When Funimation began airing another version in 2007, the anime was a hit, and the fanbase started to grow.
Eiichiro Oda’s dedication to the story inspires many to this present day. He continues to weave a beautifully complex timeline around Luffy’s adventures, highlighting pirate-themed experiences and comradeship in the process. In 2023, the Netflix live-action adaptation made the anime even more accessible, becoming an easy entry into the lengthy storyline.
6Sailor Moon Opened The Door For Female-led Anime
BeforeSailor Moon, female leads in anime weren’t so popular. The anime introduced new terrain by creating a blend of action with less popular themes like romance and friendship. Its 1995 U.S. debut introduced magical girl anime to a wider audience, showcasing Usagi’s strength and resilience as she fought for love and justice.
For female viewers,Sailor Moonwas a particularly desired choice for cosplay and fan art, with several fans donning Usagi’s distinct blonde hair, blue and white sailor uniform, and knee-high boots.Sailor Moon’s impact extended beyond itself; its cultural implications can still be seen today in the general appeal towardsfemale-led animein the U.S.
5Naruto Popularized The Ninja Spirit
Narutobegan as a one-shot attempt by Masashi Kishimoto in 1997. It then evolved into a weekly manga series and an anime that would redefine the entire medium, particularly the shōnen genre. Fortunately, the story’s impact wasn’t limited to Japan.Naruto’s U.S. debut came in 2005 on the Toonami programming block by Cartoon Network.
To call Naruto an iconic character is an understatement. His ninja story and struggle through training and fighting were so relatable that he defined fandom and memes, alongside other memorable characters like Sasuke and Kakashi. Naruto caught the U.S. attention by embodying the American dream and striving against all odds.
4Pokémon Captured American Hearts
Pokémon’s Ash and his Pikachu were introduced to the U.S. audience in 1998 along with games and trading cards. While a large portion of the excitement was around the games, the anime became a staple in Western households, enchanting children with Ash and Pikachu’s adventures around the world.
Despite the controversy, the anime became a go-to theme for merchandise around the country, increasing its popularity even more. In 1999,Pokémon: The First Moviewas released in the U.S. and found success at the box office. While it wasn’t an unmistakable masterpiece, the franchise made a significant mark in U.S. anime history.
3Dragon Ball Created Iconic Anime Characters
One thing every popular franchise has is one or more characters easily identifiable by almost anyone. Thanks to the Funimation English dub, interest inDragon Ball Zbegan to spread in 90s America. It broughtanime characters like Gokuand Vegeta into the limelight, slowly infusing anime into pop culture.
Bruce Faulconer composed the show’s distinctive soundtrack, whose release was synchronous with a significant increase in ratings. Against the backdrop of that American sound, memorable scenes of rivalries, battles, and transformations turned Goku, Vegeta, and Frieza into icons increasingly talked about among children and teenagers. Till today, these characters remain commonplace among other well-known Western characters.
2Studio Ghibli Displayed Anime’s Artistic Heights
Studio Ghibli entered the anime world in 1985 and then released landmark productions likePrincess Mononoke,Spirited Away, andMy Neighbor Totoro. Studio Ghibli approached storytelling from an artful perspective, capturing the attention of critics and anime skeptics. In 2003,Spirited Awaywon the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, over Western productions likeIce AgeandLilo & Stitch.
Studio Ghibli showed that anime could produce undeniably artistic and deeply moving work in a way that Western productions were widely considered incapable of. The studio’s impact on American taste was noticeable again in 2024, whenThe Boy and the Heron, Hayao Miyazaki’s fantasy film, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
1Gundam Brought Mecha To American Screens
AlthoughGundampremiered in 1979 withMobile Suit Gundam, it was the American release ofMobile Suit Gundam Wingin 2000 that spiked Western interest.Gundamintroduced machines as wartime tools and not mere fantastical elements, a development that showed how anime could handle more complex subjects like morality and death.
Expanding the range of subjects only increased anime’s appeal, and the franchise itself continued to grow with spin-offs and extensions, solidifyingmecha as a fan-favorite anime genrefor Americans. Even today,Gundam’s influence can be seen inPacific Rim, a combination of movies and a series where humans use robots, called Jaegers, to battle Kaiju.
Gundam
The Gundam franchise is a cornerstone of mecha anime, featuring giant robots known as “mobile suits” in various wartime settings. Originating with Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979, it explores complex themes of war, politics, and humanity through the struggles of pilots who navigate these massive machines. The franchise spans multiple timelines and universes, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories and standalone narratives.
