TikTok’s Rise Is Forcing Anime to Explore a Controversial Change

TikTok’s Rise Is Forcing Anime to Explore a Controversial ChangeTikTok’s Rise Is Forcing Anime to Explore a Controversial Change

As a seasoned anime enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of this captivating art form from VHS tapes to streaming platforms, I must say that the potential impact of TikTok on anime is both intriguing and slightly daunting. The idea of shorter, bite-sized episodes tailored for social media consumption seems to be a natural progression in today’s fast-paced world, yet it stirs a sense of nostalgia within me for the longer, immersive storylines that I grew up with.


It’s become apparent that TikTok has significantly influenced the viewing patterns of many anime enthusiasts, leading the industry to consider creating shorter, easily digestible content. Over time, media has undergone numerous transformations, such as radio being replaced by TV, then TV by streaming services, and now these services are being replaced by social media and individualized video experiences. Platforms like TikTok and other social media allow viewers to customize the type and manner of media they consume more precisely.

Crunchyroll’s management team has taken notice of the evolving media environment too. While it’s undeniable that anime fandom is thriving (with predictions suggesting a billion fans globally), they understand that the genre needs to adapt to keep pace with these changes. In an interview with Nikkei Xtrend, Crunchyroll COO Gita Rebbapragada and President Rahul Purini shared their insights on this matter. They mentioned that the changing behavior on TikTok is prompting them to consider providing anime content in a more concise format that aligns with the preferences of audiences on those platforms.

TikTok’s Rise Is Forcing Anime to Explore a Controversial Change

TikTok’s Going to Change How Anime Is Watched

When queried on recent shifts in anime and future developments, they pointed out the necessity of bridging the gap with the emerging generation who are active in producing self-generated content for social media. They emphasized that these young individuals invest a significant amount of time in creating their own material, which is facilitated by the platforms themselves. Although it may not happen immediately, they stressed the importance of devising strategies to interact with this generation that produces its own content.

The experts suggested that, considering the brevity of social media videos like TikTok, the standard length of anime episodes might need adjustment to attract viewers accustomed to short clips. They propose that storytelling methods for anime should evolve, suggesting a shift from the traditional 21-24 minute format towards shorter episodes. This proposition has ignited a discussion among anime enthusiasts, as not everyone is in favor of this change.

Crunchyroll Has Already Been Making Changes

Enthusiasts of Anime may have observed how Crunchyroll is catering to shorter focus spans by presenting content such as music videos and brief anime series like “Bananya” or other comedic shows. However, for those concerned about the origins of these new additions, Purini shared with Nikkei Xtrend this summer that, “I think anime should be fundamentally ‘Japanese’ and conveyed through a Japanese creator’s perspective. We aim to have more anime, more varied stories, and it’s crucial that Japanese creators remain involved in them.

In his statement, Purini emphasized that exceptional animated adaptations could originate from various sources, such as Korean webtoons and games. Crunchyroll is constantly scouting for fresh trends and potential hits. For instance, they might present Indian intellectual properties to Japanese creators, suggesting that if these properties are transformed into anime and narrated well, they could appeal to regional audiences.

It’s evident that Crunchyroll is examining TikTok and its impact on the media landscape, but it’s equally obvious that they are hesitant to abandon what’s successful for an abrupt transition to a shorter, different format.

via Nikkei Xtrend

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2024-10-29 01:40