All For One (AFO) is the fundamental antagonist of My Hero Academia and the symbolic opposite of hero society. His psychology is not based on trauma or vengeance, but on malignant narcissism fueled by a power that allows him to absorb the identity of others. AFO is the embodiment of absolute tyranny, where power is the ultimate end, not the means. 1. The Narcissistic Core (Worldview)  ...

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:...

The success of an anime in Japan is historically measured by Blu-ray/DVD sales and broadcast ratings. Global success, however, is measured by international licensing, streaming sales, and long-term cultural influence. The seven series below are primary examples of how low domestic reception was offset by an explosion of popularity in the West.   1. The Adult Swim Phenomenon (The Ratings...

The Rise of Webtoons: How 'Solo Leveling' and 'Tower of God' Are Changing the Anime Landscape   For decades, the anime industry operated on a predictable model: most series were adaptations of manga (Japanese comics), light novels, or occasionally, video games. The origin of almost all intellectual property was Japanese. That model is changing. The success of series like Tower of God and,...

The Isekai (異世界, "another world") genre is the undisputed king of modern anime. Its premise—a protagonist is transported or reincarnated into a fantasy world—offers limitless escapism. However, its success has led to market saturation, where most series repeat a formula that now feels exhausted. I. Why Does the Isekai Formula Feel Saturated? The rapid production of Isekai relies on...