Anime has come a long way from its humble beginnings in Japan to becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Once seen as niche entertainment for a small group of fans, anime has now captured the attention of a much broader audience. Its popularity has continued to soar over the years, and with it, the interest of marketers looking for new ways to reach consumers.
So, why should marketers care about anime? Well, there are a number of reasons, which we’ll explore in this blog post. Whether you’re an anime fan or not, there’s no denying the potential of this medium when it comes to marketing.
First, let’s start with a little background on what anime is and why it has become so popular.
Anime refers to Japanese animated content that covers a wide range of genres, from action and adventure to romance and comedy. It first gained popularity in Japan in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that anime began to gain recognition outside of Japan. Since then, it has grown to become a global phenomenon with millions of fans around the world.
One reason for anime’s popularity is the wide range of stories and themes it covers. Anime is not limited to just one audience or demographic. It can appeal to a broad range of people, from young children to adults.
Additionally, anime has a unique artistic style that sets it apart from other forms of animation. This style often includes exaggerated expressions and movements, making it more visually appealing and entertaining to watch.
Now that we have a better understanding of what anime is and why it’s popular, let’s dive into why marketers should care about it.
- Reach a younger audience
One of the biggest reasons marketers should care about anime is its ability to reach a younger audience. Anime has a large following among teenagers and young adults, who are often difficult to reach through traditional advertising channels. By incorporating anime themes and characters into their marketing campaigns, marketers can tap into this audience and create a connection with them.
For example, a company that sells video games could create an anime-style commercial that showcases the game’s characters and gameplay. This type of marketing would likely resonate with young gamers who are fans of anime.
- Create engaging content
Anime is known for its engaging storylines and characters, which can be leveraged by marketers to create content that captures their audience’s attention. By incorporating anime-style animation or characters into their marketing campaigns, companies can create a sense of excitement and entertainment that traditional marketing channels may not be able to match.
For example, a food company could create an anime-style commercial that tells the story of a young chef who creates a new dish that becomes a sensation. By using anime-style animation and storytelling, the company can create a memorable and engaging commercial that viewers will enjoy watching.
- Stand out from the competition
With so many companies vying for consumers’ attention, it can be difficult for marketers to stand out from the competition. However, by incorporating anime into their marketing campaigns, companies can differentiate themselves and create a unique brand identity.
For example, a clothing company could create an anime-style ad campaign that showcases its clothing in a visually stunning and unique way. By using anime-style animation and characters, the company can create a memorable and distinctive campaign that sets it apart from its competitors.
- Tap into a passionate fan base
Anime has a passionate and dedicated fan base that is eager to support and engage with brands that share their interests. By incorporating anime themes and characters into their marketing campaigns, companies can tap into this fan base and create a sense of community and loyalty.
For example, a company that sells beauty products could create an anime-style campaign that features a popular anime character using its products. This type of marketing would likely resonate with anime fans who are interested in beauty products and create a connection between the brand and its target audience.
- Expand globally
Anime has a global appeal and has gained a large following in countries outside of Japan, particularly in Asia and the United States. By incorporating anime themes and characters into their marketing campaigns, companies can expand their reach to new markets and tap into a global audience.
For example, a travel company could create an anime-style commercial that showcases popular tourist destinations in Japan. By using anime-style animation and characters, the company can create a visually stunning and unique commercial that appeals to a global audience.
- Leverage social media
Social media has become an increasingly important tool for marketers to connect with consumers. Anime has a large following on social media platforms, particularly on Twitter and Instagram, where fans regularly share fan art, cosplay, and other content related to their favorite anime shows and characters.
By incorporating anime themes and characters into their social media content, companies can tap into this passionate fan base and create a sense of community and engagement.
For example, a company could create an anime-style Instagram story that showcases its products or services in a visually stunning and unique way. By using anime-style animation and characters, the company can create a memorable and engaging social media post that will resonate with fans of anime.
- Create viral content
Anime has a reputation for creating viral content that spreads quickly across the internet. By incorporating anime themes and characters into their marketing campaigns, companies can create content that has the potential to go viral and reach a large audience.
For example, a company could create an anime-style music video that showcases its products or services in a visually stunning and unique way. By using anime-style animation and characters, the company can create a memorable and engaging video that has the potential to go viral and reach a large audience.
Anime has the potential to be a powerful tool for marketers looking to reach new audiences and create engaging and memorable content.
Its unique artistic style, engaging storylines, and passionate fan base make it a valuable resource for companies looking to differentiate themselves and stand out from the competition.
Whether you’re an anime fan or not, there’s no denying the potential of this medium when it comes to marketing.
What is Anime for Beginners?
The term “anime” refers to a specific style of Japanese animation, often characterized by colorful graphics, exaggerated expressions, and fantastical storylines.
For beginners, anime may seem like a strange and unfamiliar concept. However, with the growing popularity of anime and the potential it offers for marketers, it’s important to understand what it is and why it’s important.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what anime is, its history, its impact on popular culture, and why it’s important for marketers to be familiar with this medium.
What is anime?
Anime is a style of Japanese animation that first gained popularity in Japan in the 1960s. It covers a wide range of genres, including action, romance, comedy, and fantasy. Anime is often characterized by its unique artistic style, with characters having large eyes, colorful hair, and exaggerated expressions.
One of the defining features of anime is its ability to tell complex and imaginative stories. Many anime series are based on popular manga (Japanese comics), and the animated adaptations often expand on the original stories with new characters, plotlines, and themes.
Anime has grown in popularity over the years and has developed a dedicated fan base around the world. It has become a significant part of popular culture, with anime merchandise, cosplay, and fan art becoming increasingly popular.
History of anime
Anime has a rich history that dates back to the early days of Japanese animation. The first anime series was created in 1917, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that anime began to gain recognition in Japan. The success of series like Astro Boy and Speed Racer paved the way for the medium to become a cultural phenomenon.
In the 1980s and 1990s, anime began to gain popularity outside of Japan. Series like Akira and Dragon Ball Z gained a dedicated following in the United States and Europe, and the medium continued to grow in popularity over the years.
Today, anime is a global phenomenon, with fans around the world enjoying a wide variety of series and movies.
Impact of anime on popular culture
Anime has had a significant impact on popular culture around the world. It has influenced the way we consume and create media, from television shows and movies to video games and music.
One of the biggest impacts of anime has been its ability to tell imaginative and complex stories. Many anime series tackle mature themes and explore complex issues in a way that traditional Western animation often doesn’t. This has helped to broaden the appeal of animation as a medium of storytelling.
Anime has also had a significant impact on fashion and design. The unique artistic style of anime has inspired fashion designers, graphic designers, and artists around the world. From streetwear to high fashion, the influence of anime can be seen in a variety of styles and trends.
Why is anime important for marketers?
Anime has become an important medium for marketers looking to reach new audiences and create engaging content. Its unique artistic style and engaging storylines make it a valuable resource for companies looking to differentiate themselves and stand out from the competition.
Examples of Brand that Utilize Anime
Anime has become a popular medium for marketers looking to reach new audiences and create engaging content. Many brands have leveraged the popularity of anime to create memorable and effective marketing campaigns.
In this section, we’ll explore some examples of brands that have utilized anime in their marketing.
- Toyota
Toyota is a global car company that has been utilizing anime in their marketing campaigns for years. In 2015, Toyota partnered with the popular anime series Initial D to create a series of commercials promoting their new GT86 sports car. The commercials featured scenes from the anime series, showcasing the car in high-speed races and drifting scenes.
The partnership between Toyota and Initial D proved to be a huge success, with the commercials garnering millions of views on YouTube and generating buzz on social media. The campaign was so successful that Toyota created a limited-edition version of the GT86 inspired by the anime series.
- Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a global beverage company that has utilized anime in their marketing campaigns in Japan. In 2018, Coca-Cola released a series of commercials featuring characters from the popular anime series, K-On! The commercials showcased the characters enjoying Coca-Cola products, and were designed to appeal to young anime fans.
The campaign proved to be a huge success, with the commercials generating buzz on social media and helping to increase sales of Coca-Cola products in Japan. The success of the campaign led Coca-Cola to partner with other anime series, such as Love Live!, to create similar commercials.
- Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is a global pizza chain that has been utilizing anime in their marketing campaigns in Japan for years. In 2014, Pizza Hut partnered with the popular anime series, Code Geass, to create a series of commercials promoting their pizza products. The commercials featured characters from the anime series enjoying Pizza Hut pizza, and were designed to appeal to young anime fans.
The partnership between Pizza Hut and Code Geass proved to be a huge success, with the commercials generating buzz on social media and increasing sales of Pizza Hut products in Japan. The success of the campaign led Pizza Hut to partner with other anime series, such as Psycho-Pass and Attack on Titan, to create similar commercials.
- Shiseido
Shiseido is a global beauty company that has utilized anime in their marketing campaigns in Japan. In 2017, Shiseido partnered with the popular anime series, Sailor Moon, to create a series of commercials promoting their beauty products. The commercials featured characters from the anime series using Shiseido products, and were designed to appeal to young female anime fans.
The partnership between Shiseido and Sailor Moon proved to be a huge success, with the commercials generating buzz on social media and helping to increase sales of Shiseido products in Japan. The success of the campaign led Shiseido to partner with other anime series, such as Cardcaptor Sakura and Magic Knight Rayearth, to create similar commercials.
- Lotte
Lotte is a global confectionery company that has utilized anime in their marketing campaigns in Japan. In 2014, Lotte partnered with the popular anime series, Attack on Titan, to create a series of commercials promoting their chocolate products. The commercials featured characters from the anime series enjoying Lotte chocolate, and were designed to appeal to young anime fans.
The partnership between Lotte and Attack on Titan proved to be a huge success, with the commercials generating buzz on social media and increasing sales of Lotte chocolate products in Japan. The success of the campaign led Lotte to partner with other anime series, such as Naruto and One Piece, to create similar commercials.
