The world of Japanese manga and anime has an enormous fanbase, and in recent decades, the fandom rapidly grew into the globe-spanning juggernaut it is today. There are some general perks to being a manga/anime fan, such as gaining insight into authentic Japanese culture and finding content for all ages, and all that is especially true in the modern era.
There were some downsides to being an anime fan in previous decades, such as the 1980s and 1990s, but modern anime fans have it easy with their hobby. Being a modern anime fan has many perks and advantages, making the early 2020s a veritable golden age for this ever-growing fandom of all things anime.
10 Modern Anime Fans Are More Inclusive & Tolerant Than Ever
Overall, the anime fandom is more open-minded about new points of view and different identities than ever before. There is still some ground left to cover, but overall, significant progress has been made, and any anime fan can be happy about that.
At the same time, the anime industry itself is more inclusive than ever, starring more diverse characters who often have compelling LBGTQ+ identities, which resonates with many fans. Such characters have long since been in anime, but their portrayal is now more substantial and tasteful than ever.
9 The Modern Anime Fandom Has Ample Online Resources To Use
Most pop culture fandoms can benefit greatly from the modern internet and its many websites and social media for all to use. While the internet may have its dark side, it can also bring anime fans together, and the anime fandom is bigger, stronger, and more cohesive as a result.
The online anime fandom is a robust and exciting one, with entire websites and social media accounts devoted to it. One example is MyAnimeList, which is like the IMDb of anime, and fans can also come together on internet forums to discuss anything they have in mind.
8 Anime Fans Have Lots Of New Series To Enjoy
Anime and manga have been around for decades, but there are surprisingly few older anime series to get into, while the modern era cranks out material with astonishing speed. Savvy anime fans love this huge swath of material, and they can easily navigate it all to find new favorite series to watch.
This gives the modern anime fandom plenty to talk about, which is a lot of fun. Each new anime season brings in over two dozen new or returning series, and each show will pick up at least a few fans, if not a lot. At times, it may feel overwhelming, but it can also be rewarding.
7 The Anime Fandom Has A Sub-Community For Everything
The anime community is bigger and broader than ever before, meaning no matter which obscure series a particular fan might like, that fan can find other fans who love it, too. Finding like-minded anime fans has never been easier, and the internet plays a role in that.
It’s true that ultra-popular titles like Dragon Ball Z and One Piece will dominate the conversation, but fans of lesser-known series aren’t being left out. They can use forums, social media, and more to meet other fans of any show whatsoever and chat about it.
6 There’s Lots Of Anime Fan Projects
Fan projects such as fan art and even fan fiction date back many decades, but this part of the anime fandom has reached new heights in the modern era. Decades ago, fans would hardly have any audience for their fan art, but in the digital world, sharing that art is wonderfully easy.
Modern anime fans can use websites such as DeviantArt to share their outstanding fan art, and they can use Instagram and TikTok to show off their outstanding cosplay. Writers, meanwhile, can unleash their stories on FanFiction.net and give fellow anime fans a new way to enjoy their favorite material.
5 Anime Fans Love Giving Helpful Recommendations
Pop culture fans can recommend new movies, books, or musical albums with simple word of mouth, and that has been true for centuries. However, the modern anime fandom can use the internet to give recommendations much faster, and there are more anime fans than ever to hear those recommendations.
Entire forum threads or social media conversations may be based entirely on “Which anime should I watch next?” and the anime fandom has never been better at providing answers. Fans might ask what the hottest show in the new anime season is or ask for guidance on which classic anime to try next.
4 Anime Fans Are More Supportive Of Each Other
The modern anime fandom is both enormous and well-connected, meaning today’s anime fans can communicate often on a variety of topics. They discuss all their favorite series and make recommendations, but they can also personally help one another.
This mostly involves fans providing emotional support when they watch the same anime series that speaks to them on a deeply personal level. Even if these are often just token gestures, they can really make an anime fan’s day, and there’s plenty of empathy to go around.
3 Modern Anime Fans Have A Great Sense Of Humor
Movie and TV fans can joke to themselves and anyone else in the room about what they’re seeing, but in the modern era, sharing humor is easier and more delightful than ever. This is one of many ways in which the internet has strengthened the anime fandom, such as sharing witty memes or making jokes.
Internet memes are an essential part of online discourse and self-expression, and the modern anime community benefitted from that, too. This can make anime fans laugh and feel at ease in the community, and some series are famous for inspiring countless memes and running jokes.
2 The Modern Anime Fandom Is Visible & Widely Accepted
The Western anime fandom is decades old, but in the early days, the anime fandom was small and obscure, and anime fans were often made fun of. Fans often kept their passion hidden, but today’s anime fandom isn’t afraid to show itself off.
By now, Japanese anime has become immensely popular around the world, being mainstream and popular rather than niche. Anime fans can proudly show off their fandom, and even a variety of celebrities are openly fond of anime of all genres.
1 Modern Anime Is Easy To Stream & Watch
The modern anime fandom has plenty to watch, and it’s never been easier to find new anime to get into. Today’s anime fans have the luxury of many reliable streaming platforms such as Crunchyroll and HIDIVE, and anime also appears on more general platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
With so many great streaming options, along with readily-available DVDs, anime fans can find more to watch and have more to discuss online. In short, the power of the internet made it so easy to find, talk about, and enjoy anime, and the fandom’s robust nature reflects this.
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