Make Me Smart

Why anime is everywhere all at once (rerun)

Jan 7, 2025

Chris Plante, editor in chief and co-founder of Polygon, dives into the booming anime market, revealing it’s now on par with the NFL in terms of revenue. He discusses how streaming platforms have transformed anime from niche to mainstream, appealing especially to Gen Z. Plante also sheds light on cultural representation within the genre and the ongoing debates around what defines 'true' anime. The conversation touches on the significant impact of climate change on cherry blossoms, connecting culture and current events.

30:24

Creator website

Episode guests

Chris Plante

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Anime's expansion from niche to mainstream in the U.S. is driven by streaming platforms, engaging younger audiences with diverse genres.

The economic impact of anime rivals that of major sports, emphasizing its significance in entertainment and prompting innovative marketing strategies.

Deep dives

The Rise of Anime in Mainstream Culture

Anime has profoundly expanded its reach in the United States, shifting from a niche interest to a mainstream phenomenon, particularly among younger audiences. This change is largely attributed to improved accessibility via streaming platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll, which provide extensive libraries of anime content for a modest monthly fee. As a result, Gen Z individuals are now exposed to a vast range of genres and styles that were previously difficult to obtain, fundamentally altering the landscape of animated entertainment. For instance, where older generations had to rely on limited VHS tapes, today's audience can access countless series and films instantly, leading to a more diverse and engaged fanbase.

Intro

2min

The Evolution and Impact of Anime

20min

Exploring Anime and Cherry Blossoms: A Cultural Connection

2min

The Deteriorating Landscape of Commercial Real Estate

3min

The Unexpected Utility of Landlines

2min

Embracing Hustle and Creativity in a Changing World

2min

Hey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2024. We can’t do this show without you and we still need your support. If you can, donate today to keep independent journalism going strong into 2025 and beyond. Give now to support “Make Me Smart.” Thank you so much for your generosity, happy holidays and we’ll see you in the new year.

Anime seems to be just about everywhere these days: film, music videos, the NFL and big streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.

“Anime is colossal. In terms of raw revenue, anime and the NLF are tied at about $20 billion in [annual global] revenue,” said Chris Plante, editor in chief and co-founder of Polygon at Vox Media. “When you think of anime, it can be seen as niche, but the reality is that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

On the show today, Plante explains anime economics, what’s behind the rise of anime in the United States and some of the problematic aspects of the medium.

Later, we’ll discuss how climate change is impacting cherry blossom season and why the commercial real estate crisis could be a big problem for regional banks.

Later, one listener calls in on a landline about landlines. And, this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question comes from a digital illustrator based in Long Beach, California.

Here’s everything we talked about today: