Anime stories and characters that speak to today's youth

Time of India

23-05-2025

Credits: Medium
Anime's surge in India is unmistakable. Once a niche interest, anime is now
mainstream
among Gen Z: Crunchyroll recently named India its second-largest market. Fans even joke that playgrounds echo with 'Kamehameha' and 'Super Saiyan' moves.
Iconic shows like Naruto and Dragon Ball Z created a loyal fanbase early on, and today younger hits like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are just as popular.
What draws these fans isn't just vibrant art, but
deep, emotional storytelling
. Many Indian viewers say anime heroes face struggles of identity, acceptance and loss – problems Gen Z can relate to. As one fan put it during the lockdown: 'Anime is not something I watch just to pass time.
The stories… are very relatable, and they teach you… fighting your battles, dealing with things with patience'. In short, tales of friendship, found family, and perseverance (common in anime) resonate with young Indians.
Icons and role models from every genre
Credits: CBR
Gen Z fans point to characters who feel like
role models
. For example, Naruto Uzumaki (from
Naruto
) starts alone and unpopular, yet he never gives up. His perseverance and belief in friends become a powerful example of 'never giving up' – a message many youngsters admire. Similarly, Monkey D. Luffy (from
One Piece
) lives for freedom and adventure, inspiring young fans to chase big dreams. Darker heroes matter too: Levi Ackerman (from
Attack on Titan
) fights relentlessly to protect his team, teaching duty and sacrifice. In newer series, characters like Yuji Itadori and Satoru Gojo (from
Jujutsu Kaisen
) or Tanjiro Kamado (from
Demon Slayer
) show courage, kindness and loyalty even when the odds are stacked against them.
Many Indian fans say they see their own journeys reflected in these heroes' ups and downs. As one fan explained, watching these characters 'overcome their challenges gives us hope and sometimes even a roadmap for our own lives'. (Anime's universal themes of friendship, family and overcoming adversity have long attracted Indian audiences.
)
Streaming, social media and local voices
Part of anime's success is sheer
accessibility
. Major streaming services have made anime easy to find in India. Crunchyroll launched a dedicated India service in early 2024, and giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime now pack their libraries with hits – even offering Hindi, Tamil and Telugu dubs for top shows. As Crunchyroll's India boss Akshat Sahu notes, 'anime's popularity in India has skyrocketed… particularly among Gen Z and young millennials'. Even kids' TV channels are embracing anime; shows like
Pokémon
and
Shin Chan
have become household names, and about half of Disney India's kids programming now features anime.
Social media plays its part too. Fans share clips and memes on TikTok and Instagram, often set to catchy anime audios or fan art. For many young Indians, scrolling through Reels might introduce them to
Your Name
,
A Silent Voice
or other anime titles. Influencers on YouTube and Instagram proudly discuss anime: Delhi cosplayer Tulip Hazarika remembers discovering it 'with Animax and the show
Naruto
' as a child. She and others say that seeing creators show off their passion makes more people curious.
In fact, cosplayer Samarth Thakral points out that YouTube channels and anime-loving influencers 'have helped get more people hooked on anime'.
Fan communities, fashion and cosplay
Credits: Shutterstock
Fans aren't just watching – they're
living
anime. Across India, clubs and conventions have sprung up. For instance, the Bangalore Anime Club (which began as an Orkut page in 2006) now organizes screenings, meetups and contests on WhatsApp and Discord. Even large events like Japan Habba in Bengaluru feature anime cosplay, music, and fan art booths.
Individual fans pour creativity into cosplay (dressing up as anime characters). As Tulip Hazarika describes, cosplayers 'use their body as the canvas' for characters they love.
Delhi-based Akanksha Solanki (pictured above as Shoto Todoroki from
My Hero Academia
) notes that a full costume can take months of work on fabrics, wigs and props. The payoff is a real community: cosplayer Samannay says 'getting into the character… it's very fascinating — a lot of people flock to take pictures' at conventions.
Anime's influence shows up in fashion too. Some fans embrace Japanese-inspired styles like Lolita dresses or Gothic streetwear. Brick-and-mortar stores have caught on: a comic shop owner in Bengaluru notes many retailers that once focused on Marvel/DC are now stocking anime hoodies, figurines and posters. Online, fan art and DIY accessories multiply. India's growing anime merch market even includes custom-printed tees and keychains when official goods aren't available.
Emotions, values and identity
At its heart, anime provides a
language
of emotions that many Gen Z find comforting. These shows don't shy away from pain, loneliness or conflict — themes that often match young people's lives. Characters learn to cope with grief, fight injustice, or accept themselves. Seeing heroes grow through hardship gives fans courage. As one teen fan said, 'Anime characters often struggle with their identities… watching them overcome their challenges gives us hope'.
Parents and teachers have noticed that anime can start conversations about empathy, diversity and persistence.
Importantly, Gen Z fans talk about
found family
: many favorite anime heroes form close bonds with friends who become like siblings or mentors. This resonates with young adults finding their place away from home. When a fan feels 'alone' or pressured by society, seeing that journey on screen can be therapeutic.
In India's recent lockdowns, fans like Ananya Sharma found anime gave 'moral support amid the pandemic'. As she says, anime became 'a getaway' with stories that taught patience and fighting your battles.
From its inspiring heroes to its lively fan culture, anime has truly become a new cultural vocabulary for Indian Gen Z. Streaming platforms, social media, and enthusiastic communities have turned what was once 'just cartoons' into something much bigger. For many young Indians, anime is not only a way to pass the time, but a mirror of their hopes, struggles and dreams.
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