It's no secret that anime's popularity is exploding, but what may come as a surprise is the fact that anime is now more popular among Gen Z than some absolute juggernauts, such as BTS. The findings the continued rise of anime around the world, and explain why anime is the new hot commodity in Hollywood.

Anime's popularity has long been on the rise; anime shows are some of the most popular categories of foreign works, with Japanese entertainment outpacing even Spanish-language programs in the US in 2021. More than half of Netflix's global audience watched anime in 2021 as well, proving that its popularity isn't just limited to the US. Now, a new poll by Ceros, conducted on behalf of Crunchyroll, is polling Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z to find out where anime stands, and the truth is that it's one of the most popular things out there, beating even celebrities.

According to Ceros' popularity poll, anime was rated favorably by 54% of Gen Z respondents, beating out BLACKPINK, Megan Thee Stallion, and BTS. Anime came in just behind Beyonce (56%), Taylor Swift (60%), and, amazingly, Lionel Messi, who had the highest approval at 67%. The poll also included data on other generations; for Millennials, anime came in at 42%, just behind Pedro Pascal (45%) and LeBron James (52%), with Keanu Reeves the highest at 76%. Gen X, on the other hand, only saw a 24% approval rating of anime, with Keanu Reeves again at the top at 79%.

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The results indicate a strong shift towards anime in the younger demographics, proving once again that the medium has been gaining ground in recent years. Other data gathered by Ceros indicated that social media was instrumental in the spread of anime, with 47% of Gen Z and 33% of Millennials being introduced to new series from clips or edits on social media like TikTok. They also compared anime popularity to sports, where it beat out every sport except for FIFA, the UEFA (European Football), and the NBA, as well as the Olympics.

Anime's Popularity is Still on the Rise

Anime is Likely to Continue Growing in the Coming Years

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Additional details from the Ceros report are due on May 22, 2025, which should provide further insight into the popularity of anime among the younger generations. However, the information already presented makes for a strong case that anime has become an indispensable part of the entertainment industry, both in the US and around the globe.

Where anime was once a rather niche hobby, it's now become increasingly mainstream, which has led to incredible things like the Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie setting box office records. With popularity only increasing, one can't help but wonder what other kinds of amazing records might be set in the near future; perhaps the Demon Slayer Infinity Castle trilogy will top itself. One thing's for sure, though: anime won't be going anywhere anytime soon.