The anime industry is a global phenomenon that generates billions of dollars through streaming, merchandising, and box office sales. However, behind this success lies an economic paradox: most of the artists who create these global hit products are remunerated with historically low wages and often work under precarious conditions. An animator's salary in Japan depends drastically on their...

Existentialism, the school of thought that postulates that existence precedes essence and that human beings are completely free and responsible for their lives, has found a perfect visual medium in anime. Japanese animation, thanks to its narrative and visual freedom, is capable of exploring concepts from the philosophy of Sartre, Camus, and Heidegger with unparalleled rawness and style. Anime...

Is 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba' Overrated? A Fair Look   Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is, objectively, one of the biggest entertainment phenomena in recent history. It broke manga records, its film (Mugen Train) became the highest-grossing anime movie of all time, and every season is a global event. But with this level of stratospheric success, the word inevitably comes up:...

A Foodie's Guide to Anime: What Are Onigiri, Ramen, and Taiyaki?   Food in anime is often animated with a level of detail that makes it look more delicious than real food. From characters meticulously preparing bento boxes to scenes of them devouring bowls of noodles, food is a pillar of the narrative. For new viewers, three foods appear constantly, acting as key cultural items: Onigiri...

The Re-Rise of Sports Anime: How 'Blue Lock' and 'Haikyuu!!' Made Sports a Global Phenomenon   For decades, sports anime (or "Spokon") was a fundamental but consistent genre in Japan, with classics like Slam Dunk and Captain Tsubasa. Globally, however, it was often considered a niche. Today, in 2025, that has irrevocably changed. The sports genre now competes in global popularity with the...