Being an enthusiast of present-day anime is an immensely fulfilling experience, given the easy accessibility of merchandise and the genre’s ability to resonate with current societal and cultural trends.
For several decades, Japanese anime has enjoyed widespread popularity, with enthusiasts finding much to appreciate in both contemporary and classic series. Although revisiting vintage titles such as 1980s Gundam shows can be enjoyable for sentimental reasons, modern anime generally offers the most significant benefits to aficionados of pop culture.
While modern Japanese anime may not be without its flaws, such as delays in the release of second seasons and the overabundance of the isekai genre, it still presents several benefits over older series. Furthermore, modern anime holds an advantage over other forms of media, including live-action TV shows or Hollywood productions.
10. Brisk Pacing
While iyashikei anime and other relaxed titles may utilize slower pacing to create a calming effect for viewers, this is not the norm for modern Japanese anime. In general, contemporary anime series maintain a brisk pace and accomplish a great deal in a single season, which is ideal for fans with lengthy “to-watch” lists.
In contrast, older anime series, including the original Big Three, often feel sluggish and tend to overextend their content. Gone are the days of a season-long battle, as current anime series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer can effectively cover a remarkable amount of material within a 24-episode season.
9. Cutting-Edge Animation
Present-day animation studios diligently undertake the task of adapting manga or light novel series for the small screen, and their efforts are well-rewarded. The majority of modern anime series boasts exceptional production values, with the likes of Demon Slayer setting a new, impressive benchmark.
While it is true that some series may falter due to subpar CGI, even in the case of Demon Slayer, such instances are few and far between. Irrespective of the genre, almost every contemporary anime can be expected to feature smooth frame rates, vibrant colors, and sharp lines and details.
8. Better Dubs
Foreign dubs of anime have been around since the 1960s, with Speed Racer being a notable example. However, in retrospect, most English dubs from the 20th century are deemed subpar. These dubs suffered from various issues, including substandard voice acting, inelegantly worded dialogue, and a lack of synchronization with the characters’ mouth movements.
Even in the 2000s, dubbed anime was not known for its exceptional quality. However, contemporary anime has altered that perception. Modern anime series, such as Your Lie in April and My Hero Academia, showcase outstanding voice acting that imbues the characters with vitality and authenticity through compelling dialogue and heartfelt performances.
7. Themes and settings that are easier to relate to.
While it can be enjoyable to watch an older anime series and experience a bygone era, this is particularly true for period pieces like Vinland Saga. Nevertheless, genres such as romance, drama, and slice-of-life tend to resonate more with viewers when the series is set in modern times.
Watching contemporary anime series like Oshi no Ko allows the audience to easily connect with the characters and their surroundings, resulting in a thought-provoking storyline. For instance, many of Oshi no Ko’s central characters grapple not only with creating good music but also with navigating social media and the harsh realities of online existence
6. More Recognition & Strong Communities
Communities and fandoms exist for anime series from any era, but only a select few classics, such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, can rival the widespread appeal of contemporary titles. In contrast, modern anime series, including Bocchi the Rock!, Demon Slayer, and Oshi no Ko, tend to have more thriving and active fandoms.
As a result, enthusiasts of modern anime series can conveniently locate like-minded individuals online, through platforms such as forums or Twitter, and establish connections with them. For anime aficionados who relish participating in dynamic fandoms, modern anime series offer a far more gratifying experience than joining a small club dedicated to an obscure 1970s anime.
5. More Merchandise
Modern anime holds a distinct advantage over its predecessors when it comes to merchandise, which is a popular means for anime enthusiasts to express their passion for the industry. Fans can purchase a wide range of items, including plush dolls, ready-made costumes, keychains, high-quality figurines, and tie-in video games, among others.
Modern anime series typically dominate the market for anime merchandise, whether at anime conventions or online retailers. While figurines or art prints for older series may also be available, fans of modern anime will find a greater selection of merchandise that is more readily accessible.
4. DVDs and manga volumes are more readily available.
There are many anime fans who are satisfied with streaming their favorite content on popular platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and HIDIVE. However, there are instances when fans desire to own a DVD set of a specific anime or wish to explore the original manga series after the conclusion of a 12-episode anime adaptation.
Fortunately, modern anime fans can easily acquire Blu-Ray DVDs and manga volumes, as they are produced in large quantities and more recently. While older anime titles may have volumes that are difficult to find, this is not a concern for popular modern anime series like My Hero Academia or Komi Can’t Communicate.
3. Fewer spoilers.
An inherent disadvantage of older media is that crucial plot elements have become a ubiquitous part of popular culture. For example, anyone who is newly introduced to the Star Wars franchise is likely to be aware that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father. Similarly, some older anime series suffer from the same issue.
In contrast, modern, ongoing anime series are not plagued by spoilers regarding the ending as it has not yet been written. Consequently, viewers can enjoy the show with a sense of delightful anticipation, eagerly awaiting the day when the story’s ultimate conclusion arrives, without any fear of spoilers.
2. Appeal to current cultural preferences.
The passage highlights the inevitable issue of older anime series, as well as live-action TV shows, that tend to age poorly due to the natural evolution of society’s sensibilities over time. This can manifest in various aspects, such as character design, dialogue, explicit content, and even implicit societal norms that underpin a story.
While some older anime series stand the test of time, others appear outdated and regressive by comparison. In contrast, modern anime series are more in tune with contemporary sensibilities, as evidenced by their efforts to create more balanced and independent female characters and their respectful treatment of the LGBT community, rather than resorting to insensitive jokes.
1. Convenient to stream.
Modern anime series are more readily available on DVD and major streaming platforms than their older counterparts. In fact, much older anime series are not even available on popular streaming platforms like Crunchyroll or HIDIVE, while contemporary anime series are easily accessible with just a few clicks.
Crunchyroll, the leading anime streaming platform, offers a vast library of hundreds of titles from the 2000s onwards, with a few older ones also available. Along with other popular platforms such as HIDIVE, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, modern anime fans have an abundance of options to choose from and can effortlessly tune in to their favorite series.
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