Unraveling Culture

Unraveling Culture through the Lenses of Experience

Though anime is enjoyed and watched globally, its roots find itself in Japan. By definition, anime is simply Japanese animation created by computer or hand. Anime is often thought to have originated in the early 20th century. The style of anime most people and familiar with took off in the 1960s with one of Japan's most prominent anime artist, Osamu Tezuka, and is leading the path for other artists to showcase their work domestically and internationally.

The impact that anime culture has had on Japan is so great that it's birthed the otaku subcultures which includes role-playing, computer gaming, and cosplaying. All of these hobbies have huge followings both in Japan and internationally.

Anime Landmarks and Mascots

In Japan, anime has such a large influence, you can find statues, other landmarks and sites dedicated to the anime culture and their creators. For instance, in Odaiba, visitors will be greeted by a monstrous life-size Gundam at the entrance of the building which hosts a small indoor theme park dedicated to the popular anime series.

Statues of anime characters, let alone giant statues, may be a rare sight in other countries, but in Japan, the anime or otaku culture is so normalized that many of these popular characters appear in other aspects of daily life.

Akihabara – Anime Central

The town of Akihabara, located near the heart of Tokyo, houses many shops and anime related venues. The streets of Akihabara are lined with shops selling specialty goods, manga, video games, and other anime themed exhibits and souvenirs. It buzzing with anime fans browsing the latest merchandise and visiting their favorite themed cafes. Akihabara is the district well known for the many maid and butler cafes, where you will often see staff dresses in kawaii maid or costumes standing on the sidewalk and trying to attract more guests. For anime fans, Akihabara is the place to go!

Anime Conventions

Because of its tremendous popularity and following in Japan, there are anime related conventions that take place in Japan annually.