Did you know both Canadian and international anime fans gather at Anime North in Toronto and Otakuthon in Montreal every year to celebrate the rich history and ongoing legacy of anime culture? To the rest of the world, anime was first viewed as a style of hand-drawn or computer-generated animation that originated in Japan and served as a gateway to Japanese culture and influence.
In fact, the term ‘anime’ (アニメ) is derived from the English word ‘animation’ and is now synonymous with a wide range of engaging, in-depth storytelling and artistic visuals found in many Japanese animated series and movies. Over the years, anime has transitioned from a niche art form into a global cultural phenomenon through the following key milestones:
1910s
One of the oldest surviving Japanese short animation films, Namakura Gatana (The Dull Sword), was released
1950s
The first coloured anime feature film, Hakujaden (The Legend of the White Serpent), was released
1960s
Astro Boy was launched as a black and white animated television series
1970s
Introduction of the mecha genre anime (robot) like Mobile Suit Gundam
1980s
Akira became one of the first iconic anime films to gain international acclaim and help popularize anime outside Japan
1990s
Legendary childhood animation series like Sailor Moon, Pokémon, and Dragon Ball all became worldwide phenomenon
2000s
Hayao Miyazaki's film, Spirited Away won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003.
2010s
Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) swept the world of cinema, earning over $380 million worldwide and was the highest-grossing anime film of that time
2020s
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train dominated the Japanese and worldwide box office, surpassing Your Name and Spirited Away
🎨Artistry and Innovation: What Sets Anime Apart
What truly sets anime apart and makes it so well loved today is its artistic depth and innovative ability to transcend conventional storytelling and visual media. In other words, anime is more than just entertainment; it’s a form of introspection.
Japanese animation has evolved beyond cartoon production for kids like the era of Astro Boy, but it has grown to be a well-loved genre by people of different age groups across the globe. Here are three keys that make anime an intricate and successful genre of its own:
💡Gripping and Complex Narratives
Many anime (series or films) often begin with an intriguing premise — whether it's an internal struggle or an external conflict that demands resolution or reflection. The plot deepens and continues to captivate, especially as the narrative branches into remarkably thought-provoking or emotionally resonant themes, such as the purpose of human existence, as explored in anime series like Neon Genesis Evangelion.
I still don't know where to find happiness. But I'll continue to think about whether it's good to be here... whether it was good to have been born. But in the end, it's just realizing the obvious over and over again. Because I am myself.
Shinji Ikari (main lead of Neon Genesis Evangelion)
💡Multidimensional Character Development
Next, let’s talk about the rich, layered characters of the anime world. While many anime characters are known for their vibrant fashion (hairstyles and wardrobe choices) and distinctive voices (kudos to the amazing voice actors out there!), what truly makes them memorable is how relatable they are through their flaws and personal struggles.
One anime that comes to mind when it comes to multidimensional lead characters is certainly Death Note, which showcases the epic moral grey duel between Light Yagami and L where both characters demonstrate different sides of human nature in different situations.
💡Mature portrayal of philosophical ideas
Perhaps the crux of what makes the anime genre so dynamic and engaging is its seamless integration of philosophical ideas. These concepts are often introduced subtly, gradually unfolding and evolving alongside the plot and character development.
For instance, in Death Note, the philosophical ideas of justice and morality are progressively amplified through the "absolute power" wielded by Light. As the story unfolds, viewers are given space to reflect on the complex "what ifs" and "whys" of passing judgment in the name of justice.
🗾Is Anime Only Popular in Japan?
One could argue that anime has come a long way from being a niche Japanese subculture to becoming a mainstream global phenomenon. With the rise of international streaming platforms like Netflix and anime-centric services such as Crunchyroll, the influence and success of the anime industry are only expected to soar even higher in the years to come.
Source: Association of Japanese Animations
While anime did originate from Japan and remains popular in the capital city like Tokyo, its popularity is evident across all regions in the world, as shown in the following statistics adapted from the Anime Popularity by Country 2025 (World Population Review):
👀Anime viewers
(Asian regions)
75.87% of the population
70.5% of the population
50.7% of the population
42.7% of the population
👀Anime viewers
(non-Asian regions)
71.86% of the population
62.5% of the population
55.7% of the population
34.67% of the population
From the above statistics, you can gain some insights into the engagement rate of anime in both Asian and non-Asian regions. This ultimately reflects the universal appeal and popularity of Japanese animation across different countries, even when they have to rely on international subtitles in their native language when they view them.
📺What Is The Most Popular Anime in Canada?
According to data collected by Crunchyroll over the past 10 years on the most watched anime in different countries (among Crunchyroll users), the most watched anime among Canadians is none other than Attack on Titan.
Attack on Titan is a Japanese anime and manga series created by Hajime Isayama. It blends action, dark fantasy, and post-apocalyptic elements, centering on the lives of the last surviving human civilization, who live behind three massive walls — Wall Maria, Wall Rose, and Wall Sina to protect the people from man-eating giants known as Titans. The story focuses on the survival story of the characters while discussing themes of freedom, morality, and government oppression.
According to Parrot Analytics, a global audience demand analytics firm, Attack on Titan was named the "World’s Most In-Demand TV Show" in 2021.
This is the first time a non-English language series achieved this distinction, an honor previously held by high-budget Hollywood productions such as Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.
🤩The Diversity of Anime Genres: Something For Everyone
If you're an absolute newbie to the world of anime, you'll never run out of recommendations, whether through word of mouth or a simple Google search. There are specific genres for different targeted audiences of different age groups (going beyond anime for children) and genders, before we even go deeper into individual preferences. For example, there are anime genres produced specifically for teen boys and teen girls:
Shonen Genre
- Targeted audience: Teen boys
- Usually action-packed stories with themes of growth, friendship, and adventure
- Examples: Naruto, One Piece, Attack on Titan
Shojo Genre
- Targeted audience: Teen girls
- Centres around relationship-based stories and inner growth
- Examples: Fruit Basket, Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura
Generally, one of the most popular and universally accessible anime genres is slice of life, or known as Iyashikei in Japanese, which was adapted from many popular Japanese manga (comic books). These stories often focus on everyday experiences, featuring lovable characters and beautiful, emotional successful examples include Natsume's Book of Friends, Only Yesterday, and Kiyo in Kyoto. These shows can be enjoyed by kids, parents, and even grandparents together.
On the other hand, it's hard to pick a favourite anime as there are also anime genres with different themes which appeal to the older audience:
Seinen Genre
- Targeted viewers: Mature adult men
- Usually action-packed stories with themes of deeper psychological ideas
- Examples: Darker than Black, Psycho-Pass
Isekai Genre
- Targeted viewers: All ages (generally young adults)
- Revolves around life in another world (blending of fantasy and imagination)
- Examples: No Game No Life, Re: Zero
⚡What The Future Holds for the Anime Industry
According to the latest analysis report released by Grand View Research on Anime Market Size, Share & Trends, the anime industry is expected to grow even further based on regional research in Japan and even in the American market. As of 2025, the market size value of the anime market is USD 37,698.9 million, while the forecasted revenue in 2030 is expected to grow to USD 60,272.2 million!
This is largely due to the continuous growth of the global fanbase, along with a significant amount of investments from major streaming platforms. Not to mention the rise in cultural exports, including anime conventions, Japanese animation cosplay events, and the number of merchandise produced annually! This means we will see more Japanese-produced and even non-Japanese-produced animation projects being introduced.
🤖Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Japan Animation Production
We have seen how artificial intelligence and virtual reality act as a double-edged sword in our modern-day world, and especially so in anime production. On one hand, it seems so "easy" to generate an anime-inspired cartoon image. Just take a look at the latest AI-generated trend on Studio Ghibli film animation style, which has the Internet divided.
It's a debate and dilemma that most art enthusiasts face. For professional animators in the future, this could signify a change to switch to a fully digital anime experience through AI prompts. Can the history and legacy of making hand-drawn, intricate animation persevere with its original artistic flair when so much self-generated content is saturating the anime production market these days?
None of us can truly answer this question at this point in time, but we know that the anime industry will continue to soar to greater heights in Japan and beyond Japan. A good way to immerse yourself in the world of anime is learning the Japanese language and culture. At Superprof, you can find an experienced and qualified native Japanese speaker to master the language at your own pace, regardless of your learning level. Many bilingual Japanese tutors in Canada can offer great lessons in English and Japanese.
Through consistent private tutoring, you get to practice your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Japanese confidently. Before you know it, you could slowly forgo the international subtitles and fully immerse yourself in the Japanese dialogues seamlessly. Ganbatte! (頑張って)!
Fancy trying your hand at drawing your own Manga? Start here!
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