Recent research reveals a significant change in public preferences global of the Anime. More and more fans are calling for more inclusive stories, characters with greater depth and protagonists who break with traditional stereotypes. Among the most outstanding data, there is a strong interest in seeing more female protagonists with a solid character and a growing demand for adult characters that reflect more mature realities.
The anime audience demands changes
According to a study commissioned by the streaming platform Crunchyroll and made by the firm National Research Group (d)NRG). 44% of anime fans want to see more strong female protagonists in the stories. This study, carried out in March 2025, covered seven key markets. United States, United Kingdom, India, Germany, France, Brazil and Mexico. In total, 29,000 entertainment consumers were surveyed, including 3,500 anime fans who watch content at least once a month
The report also showed that 38% of the viewers surveyed want to see more adult protagonists in the plots. This preference marks a clear intention on the part of fans to see stories that not only represent youth. but also more mature and complex experiences. This change in tastes coincides with the evolution of the global audience of the anime, which is increasingly diverse.
Recent series success supports trend
In fact, the study points out that girls already represent 44% of the adolescent who consumes Anime, dismantling the old stigma that the anime is only for boys. Recent series like The Apothecary Diaries and Frieren: Beyond Journeys End. They have been received with great international enthusiasm precisely for having strong female protagonists far from the traditional mold of the Shonen genre. The success of these titles confirms that the public is willing and willing to see changes in the type of stories offered by the medium.
In addition, 16% of fans expressed that they also want greater representation of characters LGBTQ+, this claim being particularly strong among fans of United states. In line with this, a previous report of NRG titled Anime, Ascendant. Published in September 2024, it revealed that 59% of American anime fans want to see more racially diverse protagonists.
Anime as an essential part of identity
This growing demand for inclusion could be related to the role that the Anime He has come to play in the construction of the identity of young people. According to data from the study Crunchyroll. 88% of the adolescents surveyed consider that anime is an important part of their identity. while 93% say they are proud to be a fan of this medium.
The common themes in the anime are also leaving a lasting footprint on their audience. Almost a third of teenagers claimed that the stories of friendship, perseverance and resilience they see in the anime have directly influenced their way of seeing the world and facing life.
With a more broad, diverse and thoughtful fan base than ever, the anime faces an inevitable transformation. The demands for more representative protagonists, more mature stories and greater inclusion not only reflect the needs of the current audience. If not, they also open the door to a new era of narratives within the medium. If the anime wants to continue connecting with its audience, it will have to evolve alongside it.
