Ghibli, Pokémon, and Beyond: The History of Japanese Anime’s Global Boom

The history of Japanese anime dates back to 1896, when animation film techniques were first introduced from abroad. From there, the animation style known as “cel animation,” famously utilized by Studio Ghibli, began to take shape gradually from the 1930s. This style, which involves drawing original artwork on thin, transparent sheets of celluloid, became renowned for its smooth and beautiful visuals, earning high praise internationally.

In 1963, Japan aired its first 30-minute episodic TV anime, Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom), which also aired in the United States the same year, achieving high ratings and introducing Japanese anime to overseas audiences.

By the 1990s, as cable television became widespread internationally and programming slots increased, Japanese anime such as Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and Captain Tsubasa began airing abroad, leading to a massive boom in popularity.

This momentum has continued, with globally acclaimed works like Studio Ghibli films, Pokémon: The First Movie — Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998), and Your Name. (2016) captivating audiences worldwide. Japanese anime has firmly established itself as a beloved and influential cultural phenomenon across the globe.

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