There’s a strong tradition from works to draw upon Japan’s rich folklore and feudal ancestry – early western-hit Ninja Scroll used shogunate myth to craft a violent and dark fantasy adventure, while Studio Ghibli utilised Shinto folklore to form a heartfelt coming-of-age tale in Spirited Away.Įqually as prevalent is anime’s interest in the future and human-technology integration, with renowned hits Akira and Ghost In The Shell each taking on their own unique approach to prophecy. As the medium continues to evolve, anime is growing increasingly popular with worldwide audiences – with the arrival of streaming services like Crunchyroll and Funimation, Netflix’s ever-growing anime collection, and a spate of live-action remakes.īut anime is a blanket term that encompasses a rich and varied catalogue of titles, spanning genres, moods, and visual styles, with some original narratives and others being drawn from manga.
