What is anime?
Anime is a style of animation that originated in Japan and has grown into a global cultural phenomenon. Unlike traditional Western cartoons, anime spans a wide variety of genres, from action-packed adventures and romantic dramas to slice-of-life stories and fantasy epics. It’s known for its colorful visuals, emotional depth, and unique storytelling style. More than entertainment, anime is an art form that resonates with audiences of all ages.
The first known Japanese anime dates back to 1917. A short film called Namakura Gatana (The Dull Sword) is often credited as one of the earliest examples of anime. While animation in Japan has evolved significantly since then, that early work laid the foundation for the vibrant anime culture we celebrate on National Anime Day.
What is National Anime Day?
National Anime Day is an annual celebration dedicated to honoring anime’s cultural impact and global fandom. It’s a day for fans to cosplay, watch their favorite series, attend anime conventions, and share their love for this unique form of storytelling. Each year, fans around the world come together to celebrate the stories, characters, and worlds that have inspired them.
While not an official holiday in every country, National Anime Day is often recognized by anime streaming platforms, retailers, and communities who host special events and promotions. For many, it’s a time to appreciate the stories that shaped their childhood or sparked their creativity as adults.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer discovering your first anime, National Anime Day is the perfect opportunity to explore the magic of Japanese animation.
What are the most popular anime?
Anime has produced some of the most beloved and iconic stories in modern media. Here are a few of the most popular anime of all time:
- Sailor Moon – A magical girl classic that empowered a generation.
- Pokémon – From anime to games, this franchise has become a worldwide cultural staple.
- Naruto – A story about ninjas, friendship, and never giving up.
- Dragon Ball Z – A legendary anime full of epic battles and powerful transformations.
- One Piece – A long-running series following pirates searching for the ultimate treasure.
- My Hero Academia – A school for superheroes where young students discover their powers.
- Spirited Away – A girl learns to be brave and self-reliant as she searches the spiritual world for a way to save her parents.
- Hello Kitty – Teaching us to share our heartfelt feelings for one another and celebrate what makes us all unique and special.
What ages are appropriate for anime?
Anime is not just for kids. In fact, it’s created for all age groups – from preschoolers to adults. Shows are often categorized by audience:
- Kodomo (Children): Simple stories for young kids (Doraemon, Pokémon)
- Shonen (Teen Boys): Action-packed and friendship-focused (Naruto, One Piece)
- Shojo (Teen Girls): Romance and drama (Cardcaptor Sakura, Fruits Basket)
- Seinen (Adult Men): More mature content and themes (Berserk, Tokyo Ghoul)
- Josei (Adult Women): Romantic or dramatic series for adult women (Nana, Honey and Clover)
Parents should always check content ratings before sharing anime with children. That said, many shows are wonderfully appropriate and enriching for younger audiences – and National Anime Day is a great time to explore those together as a family!
What are fans of anime called?
Fans of anime are often called “otaku,” a Japanese term that originally meant someone with an intense interest in a particular hobby. In Western culture, “anime fan” and “otaku” are often used interchangeably, though the term can carry different connotations in Japan.
Other popular terms among anime communities include:
- Weeb (or weeaboo): A slang term used (sometimes humorously) for non-Japanese fans obsessed with Japanese culture.
- Cosplayer: Someone who dresses up as anime or manga characters, especially during National Anime Day events.
- Manga fan: Someone who enjoys Japanese comics (which often get adapted into anime).
No matter the label, anime fans around the world share a deep appreciation for storytelling, artistry, and imagination.
Celebrate National Anime Day with Storytime AI
At Storytime AI, we believe everyone should have the chance to be the hero of their own anime story. That’s why we’re excited to celebrate National Anime Day by offering custom anime-style stories and videos for kids, families, and creatives!
Whether you’d like to create a story with a magical warrior, space explorer, or ninja-in-training, you can create an adventurous tale where you are the hero or inspired by your favorite anime character. With Storytime AI, you can:
- Create a story with your own character, plot, and interests
- Choose your favorite themes (action, friendship, adventure, etc.)
- Select an anime image style (vibrant anime, flat anime, manga)
- Select from 194 languages to make your anime story truly global
- Instantly create a fully illustrated, narrated anime-style storybook or video
It’s storytelling with an anime twist – perfect for celebrating your love of animation on National Anime Day.
Create an anime book or video
Creating a personalized anime story is easy with Storytime AI. Just input a few details to build your anime world – character name and appearance, setting, and plot. From there, you select a story length (standard, long, extra long), image style, language, and a narrator voice – and wait a couple moments for your story to come to life!
During the story creation process, you can also choose to add a theme (friendship, courage, kindness, fairness, teamwork, etc.) or tone (happy, serious, dreamy, funny, moody) to further personalize your story.
If you’re creating a story for a child or are learning a new language, you might also be inclined to add specific keywords to see vocabulary in context and better grasp their meaning.
Perfect for birthday gifts, bedtime stories, classroom use, or just a fun National Anime Day surprise!
You can also create:
- Friendship-themed anime stories
- Stories about teamwork, courage, and discovery
- Adventures based on real-life experiences (like the first day of school or a trip to grandma’s)
Discover free anime stories
Looking for free anime stories to enjoy on National Anime Day? Storytime AI has a growing library of kid-friendly, cozy and wholesome, anime-inspired stories that you can read or watch on any device – phone, tablet, or TV.
We’ve also partnered with Apple for an in-app event where you can easily find a new catalog of free ‘Anime’ books and videos in the Discover Library within the Storytime AI mobile app.
With options in multiple languages and endless possibilities for customization, you can celebrate anime in a way that’s personal and memorable. Explore our free story collection and start reading today!
Discover our Anime collection today
Make National Anime Day truly magical
Anime has inspired generations with its creativity, emotion, and visual wonder. This National Anime Day, celebrate your passion by creating something new and personal—a story where you or your child are the stars of the show.
With Storytime AI, you’re not just watching anime. You’re making it your own!