Once considered a niche interest confined primarily to Asia, one could argue that Anime has exploded into a global pop culture phenomenon, grabbing the attention of worldwide audiences and transcending cultural barriers.

Over the last decade, I have noticed how huge the anime community has become, compared to when I first learned about it (when I was in elementary school I would say). Anime has become one of the most popular and influential forms of TV entertainment globally. It no longer has that stereotype that only “nerds” or “weird” people watch it, which was a huge thing when I was in high school. It also no longer has that stigma that only men can watch anime or that it’s something that women can’t like. I think I know just as many girls who watch anime as I do boys, which is drastically different from before. I know plenty of famous women who have publicly said that they like anime, my favorite being Megan Thee Stallion.

So not only has Anime globally reached its primary demographic, which is men I believe, but Anime has also gathered a huge population of female watchers to the point where there are now plenty of animes that are targeted to women specifically. When I first learned about Anime, I only heard about the typical staples like Naruto and Dragon Ball Z. I would say this is a huge difference nowadays. I think Westerners have come to love Anime so much because, while we do have animation shows, we don’t have animated shows that are nearly as entertaining as Japanese anime in my opinion. And the effort and style of Japanese Anime is very unique, and I can’t name any Western animations that compare to it.

A major thing that I love about Japanese Anime is the variety of Anime you can find. There is something for everyone, whether you like action anime like Demon Slayer, romance anime like Horimiya, or sports anime like Haikyu, there is something for everyone’s tastes.

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Here are my top 3 favorite anime series and why:

Chainsaw Man

I won’t lie, I don’t have some major reason for why I love Chainsaw Man and why it’s my favorite anime. I just genuinely think it’s cool. I love the different powers that come with the different types of demons. They’re all so unique! Like come on, an angel devil that can absorb the lifespan from someone through touch! Literally, what are we talking about!! AN ANGEL DEVIL! The contradiction! It’s awesome!

My favorite characters are Denji and Aki of course. Despite how moronic and simple-minded Denji is, he’s actually hilarious and I love that he has simple wants in life (if you know you know). I guess he’s just easily likable to me, not to mention I freaking love his actual fiend form! Chainsaw man is freaking sick and nobody can tell me otherwise! The same goes for Aki. He’s easily likable to me and we have many of the same characteristics, making me like him even more. And I thought his fox devil contract with so freaking awesome and it reminded me of Megumi from JJK.

Chainsaw Man is what made me love action animes, which ultimately led me to watch Jujutsu Kaisen.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Now yes, I know that JJK is a well-loved anime and nothing special for me to like but man is it an awesome anime. Again, just like Chainsaw Man, I don’t know what particularly drew me to JJK and made it my second favorite anime. I don’t think there was one specific thing. I loved the graphic style, the character dynamics, the unique abilities, and the individual storylines of the characters. Basically, all that is to say there is so much to like about JJK that not only one thing drew me in.

My favorite characters are… not Gojo and Nanami, though they’re both high on the list of favorites. My favorites are actually Geto and Sukana. Yes! The villain and morally bad characters are my favorite I can admit it. But it’s because they’re so bad that it’s so good. I have the tendency to look past the bad of a character to also look at the good things they have in them, so sue me for liking them. Though genuinely speaking, Geto’s storyline is amazing and I love how it intertwines with Gojo’s. Sukana is my favorite because of the sheer menace to society that he is. I am all here for it. Beyond that, I also just really like Geto and Sukana’s auras and their overall abilities.

DanDaDan

Now when it comes to DanDaDan, this became a recent favorite of mine, as in I just started watching it around maybe late November. I had first discovered DanDaDan through clips and they made me want to watch it so I did, and oddly enough I immediately liked it for the most part, despite the odd and kind of suspicious activities that seem to keep occurring (if you know you know). Overall though, I’m here for the Okarun and JiJi love story and Okarun’s abilities. He has one of the smoothest transitions I have ever seen in any of the animes I have ever watched. And I love how different that form is from his normal personality.

Also, we can’t forget about granny Seiko! I don’t and shouldn’t even have to explain that one if you’ve seen DanDaDan or read the manga. That woman is iconic in all ways and nobody can tell me different. She is also one of the reasons I keep watching. Once I get old, I hope I’m as iconic as her.

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While my top three might not be the best to some, the best is subjective. But as someone who has witnessed the impact of anime and its greatness, it’s safe to say that anime isn’t just some “nerd” or “weirdo” interest. Anime has become a global obsession that is here to stay, transcending previous stereotypes and bringing people together one epic story at a time.

Feel free to leave a comment and share your opinion about anime, whether it be about anime in general or one of the ones I mentioned above, We’d love to hear your thoughts!!