PBS News examines the rise of anime’s popularity in the U.S. in new report

(Featured Image Source: PBS NewsHour / © 2024 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS))

There is no denying that anime has quickly taken hold of pop culture around the world, leaving the space of niche media sourced from tape trading and purchasing bootlegs in 1970s and 1980s, to a staple of mainstream entertainment in the past decade. To an outsider, or for those who didn’t grow up during its rise (shout out to my fellow 90s kids and our love of Toonami), it might seem a bit bizarre, the sudden prominence of anime in the West. Well, PBS NewsHour has given a bit more info in a news report on the rise of anime in North America.

A fun look that did a good job of including fan and expert input. I feel like the answer for most would just boil down to: Anime is awesome. And aint that the honest truth.

(Source: PBS NewsHour)

Anime NYC 2025 has wrapped up, so make sure to check out our coverage to see what happened at NYC’s largest anime convention! And stay tuned! Anime NYC 2026 is set for August 20-23! We will keep you up to date as they announce their special guests, event lineup, and when badge sales go live!