The rise of Anime - have you ever wondered how Japanese animation, or anime, captured the hearts of people in the UK?
In the not-so-distant past, during the 1980s and early 1990s, a few titles such as "Akira" and "Ghost in the Shell" started making waves, captivating a small but passionate audience. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a spiky-haired Saiyan named Goku burst onto UK screens. "Dragon Ball Z" took the country (and the rest of Europe) by storm, introducing a whole new generation to the wonders of anime. The high-octane action, memorable characters, and epic battles resonated with viewers of all ages. Suddenly, "Kamehameha!" became a household phrase! During those years, classics like "Naruto," "One Piece," and "Bleach" found their way into living rooms, becoming Saturday morning staples for countless households, and for most of us, stayed in our daily lives. More recently, anime has also been introduced into TV streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and others, catching the eyes of people of all ages.
The Anime Community
The UK anime scene didn't stop at screens though; it spilled into the real world with a vibrant convention culture. Events like MCM Comic Con and Hyper Japan became gathering grounds for fans to celebrate their favourite series, don costumes, meet voice actors, and revel in the camaraderie of a shared passion. These gatherings fostered a sense of community that continues to grow stronger each year. More recently, we’ve seen “One Piece” anime being turned into a live action and its fan base surely appreciated online. Just try and search it up on TikTok and you’ll see!
As previously mentioned though, there’s lots of events in the real world covering or taking inspiration from the anime world, from the 1990s until today. You can see examples of this in Selfridges “Hello Kitty” themed Christmas parties, Primark’s “Hello Kitty” merchandising, and, more recently, Loewe’s collaboration with Studio Ghibli for their “Howl’s Moving Castle” collection, a 2004 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Our Anime Inspired Mugs
We can’t deny that we are be big fans of anime here at Cherchez La Femme, from “Sailor Moon” to “Pokemon” and “City Hunter”, this really is a long-lasting love. That’s why we’ve introduced an anime inspired collection of mugs to our online offering. Affordable and individual for each zodiac sign, we think they make the perfect gift for a fellow anime lover.
Discover Your Cosmic Companion: At Cherchez la Femme, we believe that your zodiac sign is more than just a constellation; it's a reflection of your individuality and cosmic connection. Our mugs capture the essence of each star sign with stunning artwork and intricate designs, making them the perfect companions for your daily tea and coffee rituals.
[Featured photo by Gracia Dharma on Unsplash
Photo 1 by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash]