Why Anime So Popular Today : Key Behind Its Worldwide Popularity
 |
| source image: eac.libguides.com |
Currently, anime series are watched by many people, regardless of age and gender. As a result, anime has become very popular among many people. Many popular anime titles such as Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece are familiar to people even if they don't watch anime. But do you know why anime from Japan has become so globally famous? You will find out in this article. Stay tuned.
Introduction
Anime first aired on Japanese television in the 1960s, specifically in 1963, with the title Tetsuwan Atom, also known as Astro Boy, which was adapted from a manga by Tezuka and produced by Mushi Pro studio. The anime series tells the story of a boy who lives in a robot body and fights villains such as evil robots, aliens, and other criminals. At that time, anime did not have a full broadcast time on TV due to limited budget and time constraints. Tezuka applied what is known as “limited animation” techniques, which include lowering the number of frames (images) per second of film, reusing cels, and layering different parts of a character, such as the arms or head, so that only the moving portion of the body needed to be animated in each scene. By using his original manga panels as storyboards, he also saved time by reducing the amount of time needed to write and arrange individual episodes.
At the height of its popularity, Astro Boy was a successful anime with high ratings, to the point that they produced merchandise for sale. Its popularity spread to several countries, including the United States, where it was also broadcast on television. The broadcast of this anime was the beginning and also inspired other anime such as Dragon Ball, Cowboy Bebop, Akira, and others. (for further detail of history of anime, you can click here).
Streaming platforms
To reach a global audience, it is necessary to obtain broadcasting rights in each country. Initially, it was only broadcast on television in each country, by requesting broadcasting rights, and even then, the time was limited to a predetermined schedule. Not to mention the commercial breaks, which may have slightly annoyed viewers. Therefore, with the advancement of the internet over time, several anime began to be broadcast on the internet through platforms that provide anime-specific content. This made anime easily accessible on the internet without having to depend on television schedules. Now there are many streaming platforms dedicated to anime, such as the currently most popular Crunchyroll, followed by others such as Bstation, Netflix, and so on. Although access is easy on the internet, it is not free. Usually, anime streaming platforms require a monthly subscription fee for access to more features.
Communities
The growing popularity of anime has led to the formation of communities based on specific anime series, now known as fandoms. These communities are made up of viewers who are also fans of a particular anime. They all come together to form a community based on that anime, creating an anime fandom. They usually gather to socialize, communicate, and interact with each other about their shared interests. They also promote their favorite anime through online forums in the form of discussions, so that people on the internet read and become interested in the anime because it is so exciting, and the anime becomes increasingly popular and the community grows.
Collaboration
One of the ways anime promoters collaborate is by partnering with well-known brands. Anime collaborations typically involve clothing brands, games, and other products. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship for both parties. Anime fans purchase products that collaborate with their favorite anime, while customers of the brand/product become interested in watching the anime. Collaborations usually take the form of merchandise, such as clothing, keychains, or figurines.
Conclusion
Nowadays, we live in an era of globalization where information is easily accessible, and anime is becoming increasingly popular globally despite originating in Japan. With the existence of anime streaming platforms, large fandoms, and collaborations, anime is becoming even more famous globally.
Comments
Post a Comment