Any anime fan knows the terms “Shonen” (for young boys) and “Shojo” (for young girls). Many are familiar with “Seinen” (for adult men). But there’s a fourth crucial pillar that, in the West, is often overlooked or misunderstood: “Josei.” Josei is the demographic aimed at adult women. It is not Shojo. It is the medium that produces some of...

The Gacha genre (named after the Japanese Gashapon vending machines) and anime have a perfect symbiotic relationship. For studios, it's a gold mine that capitalizes on brand loyalty; for fans, it's a way to follow the story of their favorite characters, collect alternate versions, and participate in the series' universe. Here, we highlight five Gacha games that have not only been commercial...

Anime was built on the foundation of hand-drawn 2D animation. When 3D (CGI) makes its appearance, the fan reaction is often one of deep rejection. The aversion stems from a fundamental problem: the inability of low-budget 3D to blend with the visual style and narrative timing of traditional animation. Below, we analyze the root of the rejection and the rare exceptions that have proven the...

Filler vs. Canon: A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Anime Arcs (and Which to Skip)   You're watching a long-running action anime, like Naruto. The main plot is intense; the characters are in the middle of crucial training or a life-or-death battle. Suddenly, the next episode begins, and the main characters are on an unimportant side mission, like helping a talking ostrich or cooking the...

Loved 'Demon Slayer'? 5 Other Action Anime with Breathtaking Animation   Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has become a global phenomenon. While its story of a young man seeking to avenge his family and save his sister is a pillar of the Shonen genre, the main reason for its success is its visual production quality. Studio Ufotable uses a technique that combines fluid 2D character animation...