How anime is taking over the world

Anime has outgrown its niche beginnings to become one of the most powerful forces in global entertainment. Once traded in fan-subtitled copies and passed around in well-worn manga volumes, it now premieres simultaneously across continents, commanding millions of viewers in real time.

Blockbuster titles such as Pokémon, Doraemon, Naruto, Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba have transformed passionate fandoms into worldwide movements. Today, anime’s signature style — visually bold, emotionally layered and narratively ambitious — shapes not only television but also fashion, gaming, music and mainstream cinema, firmly cementing its place at the center of pop culture.

That dominance has not gone unnoticed. Major streaming platforms are investing heavily in both anime and live-action adaptations. For example, Netflix has expanded its anime catalog while reimagining beloved titles such as Death Note and One Piece for global audiences.

The 2017 live-action Death Note starred Nat Wolff as Light Turner, a teenager who stumbles upon a notebook with deadly supernatural powers. LaKeith Stanfield portrayed the enigmatic detective L, opposite Margaret Qualley as Mia Sutton. Veteran actor Willem Dafoe lent his unmistakable voice to the death god Ryuk, with physical performance by Jason Liles. The supporting cast included Shea Whigham and Paul Nakauchi. The adaptation sparked debate among fans, but it underscored Hollywood’s growing appetite for anime properties.

Meanwhile, One Piece has cemented its status as a global phenomenon. Netflix is celebrating its highly anticipated second season, Into the Grand Line, with international fan events — including a major stop in Manila from 13 to 15 March in Taguig ahead of its 10 March premiere. The Philippines joins cities such as Tokyo, Jakarta, Paris and Los Angeles in marking the show’s worldwide appeal. Adapted from Eiichiro Oda’s record-breaking manga — which has sold more than 500 million copies globally — the series became one of Netflix’s biggest hits in 2023 and the first English-language Netflix show to debut at number one in Japan. With a third season already confirmed, the Straw Hats’ voyage shows no signs of slowing down.

Japanese live-action storytelling continues to break barriers with Alice in Borderland, one of Netflix’s most successful international thrillers. Based on the manga by Haro Aso, the series captivated viewers with its dystopian vision of Tokyo and its high-stakes survival games. Led by Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya, the show proved that non-English series can dominate global charts and compete head-to-head with Western productions.

The same momentum fuels Love You as the World Ends, a zombie survival romance that blends large-scale action with emotional depth. Starring Ryoma Takeuchi and Ayami Nakajo, the series follows separated lovers fighting to reunite in a collapsing world.

Hana Yori Dango, created by Yoko Kamio, remains one of the most influential shōjo manga series in Asia decades after its debut. Originally serialized in 1992, the story follows working-class heroine Tsukushi Makino as she navigates the elite Eitoku Academy and clashes with the powerful F4 clique. The franchise sparked multiple hit adaptations, including the 1995 Japanese drama, the blockbuster 2005 reboot starring Jun Matsumoto, and South Korea’s smash 2009 version, Boys Over Flowers.