Professional athletes, especially the younger ones, are showcasing their deep interest in anime series such as ‘Pokémon’ and ‘Naruto.’ This not only highlights their passion but also breaks stereotypes surrounding fandom cultures.
Jamaal Williams, who signed with the New Orleans Saints, surprised reporters when he started talking about ‘Pokémon’ instead of football. This unexpected conversation was inspired by a hat featuring Eevee, a fox-inspired character from the anime series, which Williams had donned for the press event.
Further extending this dialogue between athletics and anime, the mixed-martial artist Israel Adesanya has confidently chosen the moniker Last Stylebender to pay tribute to ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’
During the summer Olympics, sprinter Noah Lyles celebrated his gold medal victory in the 100-meter dash by mimicking the ‘Kamehameha,’ a powerful energy wave featured in ‘Dragon Ball Z.’
Prominent athletes actively share their anime inclinations, creating a subculture within their athletic communities as they engage in detailed discussions about their preferred Japanese animated shows and films. Through this, they are challenging and reshaping pre-existing notions about the mutual exclusivity of athletes and geek culture.
Anime, which commonly originates from the Japanese graphic novel form manga, gained significant traction in the U.S. in the late nineties with shows like ‘Dragon Ball Z,’ ‘Pokémon,’ and ‘One Piece.’ Many outsiders perceive it as a specialized interest, but it has become a staple for younger generations, including professional sports figures who have gained popularity through their sporting achievements.
Seattle Mariners’ lead hitter, Julio Rodriguez, confessed that anime had a therapeutic effect on him during his injury recovery period. He said that meeting another anime aficionado always sparked a twinkle of shared interest.
Joel Embiid, a celebrated N.B.A. player, was spotted watching ‘Dragon Ball GT’ while taking a pre-playoff game massage. Coco Gauff, after winning her U.S. Open semifinal last year, admitted to watching several episodes of ‘My Hero Academia’ prior to the game, and a UPS ad even transformed her into an anime character.
Myles Garrett, a formidable defensive end in the N.F.L., carries manga with him to the Cleveland Browns’ facility every day in hopes of catching a glimpse in between his practices.
Garrett, who’s been following ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ and ‘Trigun,’ estimates that around 60% of players in the N.F.L. are anime admirers. Zion Williamson, during an interview with GQ a few years ago, suggested that this percentage is even higher among N.B.A. players.
Williams revealed that he found resilience in the hardships anime characters faced in their stories, mirroring his own experiences on the football field. He cited Naruto, a socially rejected character who evolved into a super ninja, as a source of inspiration during his growing years.
He initially kept his anime enthusiasm under wraps until he had made a meaningful impression on both his teammates and his coaches. He said that revealing one’s love for anime could sometimes be shocking for others, hence his decision to maintain a primarily professional front during his early career.
As athletes increasingly express their fondness for anime, sports teams have joined the celebration. Last month, the Mariners honored Rodriguez by giving away Naruto-themed headbands to their fans. In a TikTok post last year, the Browns depicted Garrett as a ‘Super Saiyan,’ a power-boosting transformation from ‘Dragon Ball Z.’
The Rams collaborated with Bandai Namco, a video game publisher, to share ‘One Piece’ themed goodies, while animations from the series were displayed on the stadium’s large video screen.
Jennifer Prince, the Rams’ CCO, noticed the connection athletes had with anime during her tenure at Twitter. She believed such partnerships could enable their team to garner supporters from Japan and South Korea.
Crunchyroll, an anime-centered streaming service, capitalized on this sporting-anime camaraderie by partnering with N.B.A. on merchandise and roping in N.F.L. player Aidan Hutchinson as an award show presenter. Crunchyroll’s president, Rahul Purini, said these celebrity athletes with extensive reach served as great ambassadors for the medium, aiding its seamless integration into mainstream culture.
Professional Athletes’ Unexpected Love for Anime appeared first on Real News Now.
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