April 18, 2025 • 7 mins
Anime – the Japanese cartoons that were once a little-known, niche entertainment form for the nerd set – have become increasingly popular in the U.S. and have crossed over into mainstream pop culture and entertainment. The anime film The Boy and the Heron took home last year’s Academy Award for Best Animated Film and anime characters Goku from Dragon Ball and Luffy from One Piece appeared as balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Meanwhile, celebrities from Megan Thee Stallion and Ariana Grande to Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Reynolds have expressed their anime fandom and incorporated it within their own art forms. And streaming services such as Crunchyroll have made anime more accessible to U.S. audiences than ever before.
As National Anime Day approaches on April 15 – a day that celebrates the anime art form and its impact on pop culture – the podcast Crunchyroll Presents: The Anime Effect provides a gateway for the anime curious to enter the wide world of the medium. Two of the show’s hosts Nicholas Friedman and LeAlec Murray can discuss the reasons behind anime’s surge in popularity and how it continues to shape and inform our forms of popular culture and entertainment.
Nicholas Friedman is a career journalist who lives in the anime world. As head of Editorial at Crunchyroll, Nick sits at the center of the anime culture conversation, from the latest breaking updates on Crunchyroll News to the deepest dives into what fans are talking about.
LeAlec Murray is a podcaster and pop culture enthusiast. With 15+ years of experience in the anime and gaming industry, he lives his life one pixel at a time. LeAlec currently works as a Brand Manager at Crunchyroll, helping to bring to life the anime you see everyday.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.
Meanwhile, celebrities from Megan Thee Stallion and Ariana Grande to Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Reynolds have expressed their anime fandom and incorporated it within their own art forms. And streaming services such as Crunchyroll have made anime more accessible to U.S. audiences than ever before.
As National Anime Day approaches on April 15 – a day that celebrates the anime art form and its impact on pop culture – the podcast Crunchyroll Presents: The Anime Effect provides a gateway for the anime curious to enter the wide world of the medium. Two of the show’s hosts Nicholas Friedman and LeAlec Murray can discuss the reasons behind anime’s surge in popularity and how it continues to shape and inform our forms of popular culture and entertainment.
Nicholas Friedman is a career journalist who lives in the anime world. As head of Editorial at Crunchyroll, Nick sits at the center of the anime culture conversation, from the latest breaking updates on Crunchyroll News to the deepest dives into what fans are talking about.
LeAlec Murray is a podcaster and pop culture enthusiast. With 15+ years of experience in the anime and gaming industry, he lives his life one pixel at a time. LeAlec currently works as a Brand Manager at Crunchyroll, helping to bring to life the anime you see everyday.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello and good morning, Nicholas. How are you doing doing well?
Speaker 2 (00:02):
How about yourself?
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Absolutely fantastic, So glad to be with you again. Because
anime it's getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I mean,
Regal has little festivals now when it comes to anime.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
That's right. Anime is everywhere.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
My grandson is heavily inspired with his drawing. I mean,
he has really perfected the craft. What is it about
anime that is getting the attention of the younger generation?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
You know, I really think one of the things that
I love about anime is the unique expression that it brings.
And I think there's storytelling and art and design that
you can only get through the world of anime. And
I think especially for young folks today, as they look
to be more expressive about themselves and you know, build
their identities, anime can be a big part of that.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Putting together the podcast, we can't really see the anime,
but the way you use your words and you're writing,
my god, it's like we feel what anime is.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Yeah, I mean that was one of the big reasons
why we why we built the Anime Effect, was to
try and bring that experience to fans who may not
be super in the know, but to also provide this
really comfy place for people who do.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
So, to have a national anime day. I mean, I
don't see a Marvel day. I don't see a DC Comics.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Day, you know.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
I think one of the things that is amazing about
anime is that it's a little bit of everything, right,
there's an anime for everyone, and I think in a
different way than like superhero media can appeal to folks
like you know, there is an anime series to start
for everybody.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Well see. And the thing I love about anime is
that they are playful with their fans or those that
would like to be fans. And what I mean by
that is there are toys in the likeness of me
in my studio. That's that's anime. I mean, I love
that kind of atmosphere.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Yeah, I mean, you know, there there is something so
there's something so fun about a lot of the culture
around anime, and it's really cool to get to see
that every day.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Is it becoming more glow or are we still thinking
that that you know that it's an import.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Oh, it.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Is absolutely a global experience and there are fans all
around the world that have different touch points and relationships
with anime, whether you're in France or Germany or Brazil,
you know, you can see the impact on culture that
it's had and and you know, we just we just
think about it as this incredible art form that we
want to celebrate every day.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Now, what about live action form anime that that's possible.
It's happening, right.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
It is definitely happening.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
And I think as more creators who grew up with anime,
who watched it on TV, who maybe have even you know,
streamed with punty roll for example, or are sharing those experiences.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
With their kids.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
You know, they have a love and appreciation for the
source material and they want to bring that to the
live action to the big screen.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
I was interested in finding out why the Boy and
the Hair and Change are why why are they changing
you know, anime at this point in time, because there
seems to be an evolution because of them.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Yeah, I think, I think, you know, one of the
things that I love about The Boy and the Heron
and those those more like prestige anime films, you know,
with the works of the Ma Kotas Shinkai for example,
and Susan May and your Name, is that they they
create this really amazing entry point for fans who may
not be initiated into the world of anime, and you know,
these are the worlds the way that they've been and
(03:21):
they've been telling these you know, difficult or tragic or
beautiful stories for for decades. And when you see a
film like a Susan Ma Your Name or A Boy
and the Heron, you know, get that mainstream critical appeal,
you start to get a ton of new fans who
learn what anime is and from there, you know, disguy's
the limit.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
One of the things that I find so appealing about anime,
as well as just you know, even even with Marvel,
is the fact that when you go to a comic con,
everybody is getting along, Nobody is taking sides, they all
they all have total respect for each other.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yep. Absolutely. I mean.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Another one of the things I love about anime, and
one of the things I'm really lucky to get to
see it in my job is is this amazing community
and the way they come together. And you know, even
when we go to a con, you know, you go
to a New York comic con, in a San Diego
comic con. These days, it's an anime convention.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Right, there are fans dressed as anime characters everywhere and
it is amazing to see.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
It's all about anime. We've got more with Nicholas Friedman
coming up next. Hey, thanks for coming back to my
conversation with Nicholas Friedman. I was introduced to one of
my students in broadcasting. She she actually tours the Southeast,
going from from different conventions to another one. And what
she does they they perform these songs that are that
are that are in these animes and it's but they
(04:36):
and they have championships. I mean, I just love the
way they've turned it into an interactive business.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Absolutely. I mean music is a really good point. I mean,
think about you know, times in your life and you
can you can pinpoint a song to.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
That, right.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
I think anime has this amazing, you.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Know part of its culture where you have the opening
and ending theme song and if you if you watch
a series or a movie that really means something to you,
you're able to use that music to bookend it and
it becomes this really important, you know, sentimental memory for you.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
How do you see anime growing in the next ten
years or is it predictable? You know?
Speaker 3 (05:13):
I I've definitely been in the industry long enough to
know that nothing is predictable and except one thing, which
is that anime will continue to grow and more people
will learn about it and love it, you know, hopefully
the way that I do and the way that other
fans do. But there will continue to be an anime
for everyone. And I don't think we're going to see
that slowing down anytime soon.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
And aren't you kind of proving in a huge way
that an anime is not just a nerdy or a
goth thing. It's like everybody knows what it's starting to become.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Yeah, absolutely, I think you know, long gone are the
days where we had to, you know, struggle trading in
your DHS tapes in our anime club in middle school.
Right like, there anime is everywhere, and no matter what
genre you're into, you know, right like, people always ask me,
what is one anime you recommend to everybody?
Speaker 2 (06:01):
And I think, you know, I.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Have answers to that, but I really like to look at,
you know, what genre of entertainment are you into. You're
into comedy, or you into romance, or you into action?
Speaker 2 (06:08):
You know, what's your favorite live action movie?
Speaker 3 (06:10):
And then go from there because that is a that
is an easier way and a.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
More meaningful way to get to get you into the craft.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Well, and that's that's the best way to get you
into a comic book store. Go in that book comic
book store, just like we used to do with albums.
Go in there and look at it, experience it, and
then take it home.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Absolutely there that is that is you. You have to
see what catches your eye and just just dive in.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Yeah, where can we go to find out more about
you and everything you're involved in because you are a
missionary when it comes to anime.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
That's what they keep telling me. You know, uh I.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
I host an executive producer podcast called The Anime Effect
with crunchy Roll every week, you know, me and my
wonderful co host Leah and Lee Alec. We talk about
the intersection between anime and pop culture right fashion, sports, gaming, music,
and we have amazing guests from celebrities like Denzel Curry
or David das Malchen to musicians and actors and artists
(07:10):
and they come in and talk about their anime journeys,
and we also cover the news. We talk about recommendations,
So whether you're a fan who's maybe just heard the
word anime, or you're a diehard who's watching twenty thirty
shows this season. This is a great place to go
to see what's going on in the world of animal Well.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Please come back to this show anytime in the future.
The door is always going to be open for you.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Yeah, happy to be here. Thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
You'd be brilliant today. Okay, yeah you too. Thank you.
Hello and good morning, Nicholas. How are you doing doing well?
Speaker 2 (00:02):
How about yourself?
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Absolutely fantastic, So glad to be with you again. Because
anime it's getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I mean,
Regal has little festivals now when it comes to anime.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
That's right. Anime is everywhere.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
My grandson is heavily inspired with his drawing. I mean,
he has really perfected the craft. What is it about
anime that is getting the attention of the younger generation?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
You know, I really think one of the things that
I love about anime is the unique expression that it brings.
And I think there's storytelling and art and design that
you can only get through the world of anime. And
I think especially for young folks today, as they look
to be more expressive about themselves and you know, build
their identities, anime can be a big part of that.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Putting together the podcast, we can't really see the anime,
but the way you use your words and you're writing,
my god, it's like we feel what anime is.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Yeah, I mean that was one of the big reasons
why we why we built the Anime Effect, was to
try and bring that experience to fans who may not
be super in the know, but to also provide this
really comfy place for people who do.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
So, to have a national anime day. I mean, I
don't see a Marvel day. I don't see a DC Comics.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Day, you know.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
I think one of the things that is amazing about
anime is that it's a little bit of everything, right,
there's an anime for everyone, and I think in a
different way than like superhero media can appeal to folks
like you know, there is an anime series to start
for everybody.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Well see. And the thing I love about anime is
that they are playful with their fans or those that
would like to be fans. And what I mean by
that is there are toys in the likeness of me
in my studio. That's that's anime. I mean, I love
that kind of atmosphere.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Yeah, I mean, you know, there there is something so
there's something so fun about a lot of the culture
around anime, and it's really cool to get to see
that every day.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Is it becoming more glow or are we still thinking
that that you know that it's an import.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Oh, it.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Is absolutely a global experience and there are fans all
around the world that have different touch points and relationships
with anime, whether you're in France or Germany or Brazil,
you know, you can see the impact on culture that
it's had and and you know, we just we just
think about it as this incredible art form that we
want to celebrate every day.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Now, what about live action form anime that that's possible.
It's happening, right.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
It is definitely happening.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
And I think as more creators who grew up with anime,
who watched it on TV, who maybe have even you know,
streamed with punty roll for example, or are sharing those experiences.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
With their kids.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
You know, they have a love and appreciation for the
source material and they want to bring that to the
live action to the big screen.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
I was interested in finding out why the Boy and
the Hair and Change are why why are they changing
you know, anime at this point in time, because there
seems to be an evolution because of them.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Yeah, I think, I think, you know, one of the
things that I love about The Boy and the Heron
and those those more like prestige anime films, you know,
with the works of the Ma Kotas Shinkai for example,
and Susan May and your Name, is that they they
create this really amazing entry point for fans who may
not be initiated into the world of anime, and you know,
these are the worlds the way that they've been and
(03:21):
they've been telling these you know, difficult or tragic or
beautiful stories for for decades. And when you see a
film like a Susan Ma Your Name or A Boy
and the Heron, you know, get that mainstream critical appeal,
you start to get a ton of new fans who
learn what anime is and from there, you know, disguy's
the limit.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
One of the things that I find so appealing about anime,
as well as just you know, even even with Marvel,
is the fact that when you go to a comic con,
everybody is getting along, Nobody is taking sides, they all
they all have total respect for each other.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Yep. Absolutely. I mean.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Another one of the things I love about anime, and
one of the things I'm really lucky to get to
see it in my job is is this amazing community
and the way they come together. And you know, even
when we go to a con, you know, you go
to a New York comic con, in a San Diego
comic con. These days, it's an anime convention.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Right, there are fans dressed as anime characters everywhere and
it is amazing to see.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
It's all about anime. We've got more with Nicholas Friedman
coming up next. Hey, thanks for coming back to my
conversation with Nicholas Friedman. I was introduced to one of
my students in broadcasting. She she actually tours the Southeast,
going from from different conventions to another one. And what
she does they they perform these songs that are that
are that are in these animes and it's but they
(04:36):
and they have championships. I mean, I just love the
way they've turned it into an interactive business.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Absolutely. I mean music is a really good point. I mean,
think about you know, times in your life and you
can you can pinpoint a song to.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
That, right.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
I think anime has this amazing, you.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Know part of its culture where you have the opening
and ending theme song and if you if you watch
a series or a movie that really means something to you,
you're able to use that music to bookend it and
it becomes this really important, you know, sentimental memory for you.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
How do you see anime growing in the next ten
years or is it predictable? You know?
Speaker 3 (05:13):
I I've definitely been in the industry long enough to
know that nothing is predictable and except one thing, which
is that anime will continue to grow and more people
will learn about it and love it, you know, hopefully
the way that I do and the way that other
fans do. But there will continue to be an anime
for everyone. And I don't think we're going to see
that slowing down anytime soon.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
And aren't you kind of proving in a huge way
that an anime is not just a nerdy or a
goth thing. It's like everybody knows what it's starting to become.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Yeah, absolutely, I think you know, long gone are the
days where we had to, you know, struggle trading in
your DHS tapes in our anime club in middle school.
Right like, there anime is everywhere, and no matter what
genre you're into, you know, right like, people always ask me,
what is one anime you recommend to everybody?
Speaker 2 (06:01):
And I think, you know, I.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Have answers to that, but I really like to look at,
you know, what genre of entertainment are you into. You're
into comedy, or you into romance, or you into action?
Speaker 2 (06:08):
You know, what's your favorite live action movie?
Speaker 3 (06:10):
And then go from there because that is a that
is an easier way and a.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
More meaningful way to get to get you into the craft.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Well, and that's that's the best way to get you
into a comic book store. Go in that book comic
book store, just like we used to do with albums.
Go in there and look at it, experience it, and
then take it home.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Absolutely there that is that is you. You have to
see what catches your eye and just just dive in.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Yeah, where can we go to find out more about
you and everything you're involved in because you are a
missionary when it comes to anime.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
That's what they keep telling me. You know, uh I.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
I host an executive producer podcast called The Anime Effect
with crunchy Roll every week, you know, me and my
wonderful co host Leah and Lee Alec. We talk about
the intersection between anime and pop culture right fashion, sports, gaming, music,
and we have amazing guests from celebrities like Denzel Curry
or David das Malchen to musicians and actors and artists
(07:10):
and they come in and talk about their anime journeys,
and we also cover the news. We talk about recommendations,
So whether you're a fan who's maybe just heard the
word anime, or you're a diehard who's watching twenty thirty
shows this season. This is a great place to go
to see what's going on in the world of animal Well.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Please come back to this show anytime in the future.
The door is always going to be open for you.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Yeah, happy to be here. Thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
You'd be brilliant today. Okay, yeah you too. Thank you.
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