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.

In this engaging discussion, Chris Plante, Editor-in-chief of Polygon, dives into the booming world of anime, now worth around $20 billion globally. He reveals how anime has transitioned from niche to mainstream, driven by platforms like Netflix. Plante also touches on the cultural and economic impacts of this shift, raising concerns about problematic aspects of the medium. Along the way, the conversation meanders into how climate change affects cherry blossom seasons and the surprising resurgence of landlines in our digital age.