The popularity of anime has risen sharply since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, with 100 million households around the world watching at least one anime title on Netflix, the platform that secured the rights to popular anime like Demon Slayer.
Rio Ayiris finds out why people are finding this Japanese animation so helpful in the midst of a pandemic.
Archer Smith, 27, London
How has anime helped you during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Since everyone is stuck at home, every day feels the same. Anime like ‘Attack on Titan’ has added some excitement to my life and given me something to look forward to. Its themes of seeking justice and focusing on one’s goals has inspired me during the pandemic lockdown and has become one of my all time favourite anime.
Since national lockdown began, have you seen a change in the way you consume anime?
Definitely, before lockdown I was comfortable with waiting weekly for anime episodes like ‘One Piece’. However, since the pandemic began, I have been binge-watching the majority of anime to cure my lockdown boredom. I also became more interested in watching comedy and action anime to keep my spirits up in lockdown.
In February 2020, just before lockdown occurred, Netflix secured the rights to distribute the studio Ghibli films on their platform. Studio Ghibli have produced many classic anime films such as ‘Princess Mononoke’ and ‘Howl’s Moving Castle.’ What’s your thoughts on this?
For me, I knew for people who loved that content, they would be excited. I’ve watched some as a kid, like ‘Spirited Away.’ In lockdown, I watched ‘Howl’s Moving Castle.’ I was more of a casual fan.
Anime has been a big source of comfort for me during the Covid-19 pandemic Temari Sheikh
Temari Sheikh, 22, London
How has anime helped you during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Anime has been a big source of comfort for me during the Covid-19 pandemic, I’ve always been into anime, especially ‘Death Note’ and ‘Fullmetal Alchemist,’ which I’ve been rewatching during lockdown. The nostalgia I feel from experiencing some of my favourite anime has been very nice.
Since national lockdown began, have you seen a change in the way you consume anime?
Prior to lockdown, I would simply just watch anime with friends and I would only find time to watch anime on an occasional basis. However, during lockdown, I’ve been setting alarms and allocating time in my day just to consume anime. I’m surprised at my own increased interest in anime during the pandemic, it was something that happened very naturally.
In February 2020, just before lockdown occurred, Netflix secured the rights to distribute the studio Ghibli films on their platform. Studio Ghibli have produced many classic anime films such as ‘Princess Mononoke’ and ‘Howl’s Moving Castle.’ What’s your thoughts on this?
Again, the more people it reaches, the better. On a business side of things, it’s a positive thing, more money is being put back into the industry, which means more content.
Krista Buba, 19 and Mira Buba, 16, London
How has anime helped you during the Covid-19 pandemic?
M: Netflix has been a massive help for me during this pandemic. It’s where I watch most of my anime, such as ‘Haikyu!!’, which was a huge form of escapism for me. It was a nice distraction from what was happening in the world.
It was a nice distraction from what was happening in the world. Mira Buba
K: Just like Mira, I’ve been consuming a lot of anime to help me during lockdown, especially a lot of feel-good anime to combat my lockdown depression. There was a really fun anime called ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ which I watched weekly, it was really popular and gave me something to talk about with my friends.
Since national lockdown began, have you seen a change in the way you consume anime?
M: I’ve been watching anime a lot with my family during lockdown, I even introduced my parents to Naruto, one of my favourite anime, they are really fond of Itachi Uchiha. It was a fun experience that’s helped to make lockdown life more interesting.
K: I would say the biggest change I’ve seen in my watching habits would be that I consume anime based on recommendations I’ve seen from social media such as Tik Tok. A lot of them are popular and have helped me during the pandemic.
In February 2020, just before lockdown occurred, Netflix secured the rights to distribute the studio Ghibli films on their platform. Studio Ghibli have produced many classic anime films such as ‘Princess Mononoke’ and ‘Howl’s Moving Castle.’ What’s your thoughts on this?
K: It’s definitely a good thing, since there is a lot of gatekeeping in the anime community and many anime fans want the medium to be exclusive. It’s ultimately a good idea because it’s helping the anime industry in Japan, inspiring people outside of Japan to make anime.
M: I agree, it would definitely help to bring in new anime fans.
