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A new study conducted by Polygon sheds light on the growing importance of anime in American popular culture.
Revealing the reach of anime: entertainment website surveyed more than 4,000 U.S. adults to uncover the growing influence of anime and its pervasive presence in many aspects of American entertainment. A comprehensive analysis released on January 22 highlights the genre's ability to resonate with a wide range of audiences.
Intergenerational dynamics: According to the survey, While only 3% of baby boomers tune in to anime on a weekly basis, an astonishing 42% of Gen Z participants actively enjoy the genre on a regular basis. The findings show how anime has surpassed established cultural touchstones like the NFL among young viewers.
Diverse audience: We also look at the diversity of our fan base, which reflects the wide range of ethnicities and sexual orientations of the American public. African Americans make up 17% of anime fan viewers, more than their share in the general population, and 27% of anime fans identify as LGBTQ+.
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Asian Americans, who make up 10% of those surveyed, are more prominent among Gen Z (13% are Asian), followed by Baby Boomers (10%), and surprisingly, Gen X (8%). exceeds. This can be attributed to factors such as the boomer generation's exposure to anime in childhood and cultural connections shared across generations.
Emotional connection: The study also revealed the deep emotional resonance that anime has for viewers. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z anime lovers have a stronger emotional connection to anime than traditional media, citing rich storylines and character depth as important factors. . According to the poll, 44% of anime fans admit to having admired an anime character at some point.
Cultural influence: General viewers say they primarily watch anime from mainstream platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, with Crunchyroll and Funimation also making great strides despite having smaller user bases. Among Gen Z viewers, Crunchyroll has emerged as his second most popular platform.
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More than half of Gen Z anime fans admit that anime influences their daily habits, from their fashion choices to their social interactions. This influence reflects the cultural importance previously ascribed to iconic shows like “Friends.”
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