Hollywood's Anime obsession: Why western celebrities are all in
Credits: GoAllAnime
Anime, once a niche interest, has 'exploded into the mainstream of Western pop culture'. Thanks to streaming services and social media (TikTok in particular), pandemic-era lockdowns gave fans time to binge Anime, massively boosting its reach. Now even Hollywood A-listers openly celebrate their fandom. From tech tycoon Elon Musk to action star John Boyega, celebrities wear their love for
anime
on their sleeves. Below are a few notable examples:
Winston Duke (actor):
The
Black Panther
star tweeted that
Demon Slayer
is his favorite anime (with
My Hero Academia
a close second).
Michael B. Jordan (actor):
The
Creed
and
Black Panther
star launched a Naruto-themed fashion collection with Coach, blending anime iconography into streetwear.
John Boyega (actor):
In a 2022 Wired interview he said he watches
Attack on Titan
,
Naruto
,
One Piece
and 'is on
Demon Slayer
' now – praising anime's 'seriousness and depth' and its 'unique style of storytelling'.
Megan Thee Stallion (musician):
The rapper has mentioned spending downtime watching
Attack on Titan
and
My Hero Academia
.
Chris Brown (singer):
He got a Dragon Ball Z tattoo and tweeted in 2022 that '
Spriggan
is my new favorite anime', showing off his fandom.
Elon Musk (entrepreneur):
The tech CEO often references anime on Twitter – he's tweeted admiration for
Ghost in the Shell
and recommended classics like
Death Note
,
Evangelion
and
Spirited Away
.
Ronda Rousey (WWE star):
A longtime
Dragon Ball Z
fan, she even used to record DBZ episodes on VHS as a kid.
These and many other Western stars freely discuss anime now, making 'celebrities who love anime' a real trend in pop culture.
Why Anime captivates the stars
Credits: Sportskeeda
What draws celebrities to Anime? Several factors stand out:
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Emotional storytelling:
Anime is famous for rich plots and character depth. As Boyega noted, its style of storytelling is full of 'seriousness and depth' – something he finds hard to see in other genres. Producer Samuel L. Jackson agrees: he once quipped that 'Anime has the best, if not the greatest, storytelling out there'. These heartfelt, often high-stakes narratives resonate with stars craving more than the typical blockbuster fare.
Nostalgia:
Many celebs grew up in the 1990s and 2000s on shows like
Dragon Ball Z
,
Sailor Moon
and
Pokémon
. Revisiting these anime brings childhood memories. In fact, fans say the 'nostalgia of… golden age animes even attracts new anime watchers' – suggesting today's stars (millennials and Gen Z) are happy to relive those Saturday-morning-cartoon days.
Visual style & fashion:
Anime's bold, vibrant aesthetics inspire artists and fashionistas. From neon hair colors to futuristic costume designs, the visual flair of anime translates into striking outfits. High-fashion labels have taken note: Louis Vuitton's Evangelion capsule collection is a prime example. Streetwear brands (Supreme, Uniqlo, etc.) regularly drop limited-edition
Dragon Ball
or
Naruto
apparel. Celebs love that anime allows them to express a fun, edgy style.
Social buzz & community:
Anime fandom is huge online, and social media has normalized it. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are full of anime memes and cosplayers, so stars feel comfortable sharing their passions. As one commentator noted, even those once teased for watching anime have joined in thanks to social media's 'massive' impact on exposure. Now influencers and fans post anime-inspired outfits and art constantly, making anime references part of pop-culture conversation. In short, the geek culture is cool again – and celebrities are riding that wave.
Anime in hollywood and streaming
Hollywood itself is responding to the anime craze. Studios have produced several live-action adaptations of popular series – from
Ghost in the Shell
and
Death Note
(in the 2010s) to Netflix's own
Cowboy Bebop
and
One Piece
. These films and shows, though met with mixed reviews, show that the industry 'has taken note' of anime's popularity. Meanwhile, anime has never been more accessible: streaming giants like Netflix and Crunchyroll make it easy to watch everything from classic Miyazaki films to the latest hits. Even mainstream Western series borrow from anime's playbook – for example,
Stranger Things
weaves in Japanese horror tropes, and
Rick and Morty
uses the intricate, often surreal storytelling common in anime. In other words, anime isn't just on the small screen; its influence is shaping Hollywood's storytelling and distribution.
Anime's influence on fashion and pop culture
Beyond movies and TV, anime has seeped into global trends. On the style front, its impact is unmistakable. Couture and cosplay have collided: besides LV's Evangelion line, even fast-fashion chains release anime-themed collections. Street fashion regularly features beloved characters like Goku or Naruto. Social media amplifies this – fans (and celebrity influencers) share anime-inspired outfits daily, making colorful wigs, character prints and cosplay accents part of everyday looks. As one analysis puts it, anime has turned into a 'mainstream fashion phenomenon'.
In music and art, anime aesthetics are everywhere too – album covers, concert visuals, tattoos and even dance moves often pay homage to anime themes. And large conventions (like Anime Expo) and viral online clips underscore how anime references are now common in memes and pop art. In sum, the anime influence on Western pop culture goes far beyond cartoons; it's a creative force in entertainment, fashion and beyond.
A sky-high Anime influence
In short, the wave of Western celebs obsessed with anime reflects a broader cultural shift. These stars find in anime something uniquely rewarding – emotional storytelling, stylish flair, and a shared community – that complements their public image. And as anime marches into Hollywood blockbusters and high fashion alike, its footprint in Western pop culture only grows. Anime's reach is now 'profound and multifaceted,' bridging continents and styles. Whether it's a superhero or a pop superstar, many celebrities feel an Otaku kinship – proof that anime's creative appeal is truly global and here to stay.
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