Africa is a family affair for the owners of Australia’s oldest travel specialist, Bench Africa, which turned 55 this year. The family-run company was founded by a Kenyan and owns ground operations in Africa. This proximity to the continent’s pulse, and the company’s practice of positioning its journeys within a broader ecological and social context, infuses the tourism experience. Visiting a chief’s homestead in Eswatini, for example, or meeting rangers involved in the restocking of depleted reserves in Malawi. See benchafrica.com
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, south-west Victoria
Try the signature kooyang (eel) tasting plates at Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre & Cafe.Credit: Visit Victoria
For thousands of years, the Gunditjmara people have shaped south-west Victoria’s waterways and wetlands, creating channels and weirs for farming eel that are now recognised by UNESCO as one of the world’s oldest examples of aquaculture. At Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre & Cafe, part of Budj Bim Cultural Landscape at the end of the Great Ocean Road, a two-hour guided tour shares how Gunditjmara managed their country before European arrival, with a focus on the role of eels. After the tour, guests can try the signature kooyang (eel) tasting plates. Eel crackling is a highlight. See budjbim.com.au
Walkabout Cultural Adventures, Queensland
Learn spear throwing, collect pipis and catch mud crabs.Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
Juan Walker has a gift. He’s a total natural when it comes to sharing his knowledge, his culture and his country with others, particularly those who have never seen Kuku Yalanji country, around Port Douglas, through the eyes of its traditional owners. Juan hosts tours that feel like a day out with your new best mate, a mate who takes you swimming in rivers, spearing mud crabs in the mangroves, looking for natural medicines in the rainforest, who tells you stories and even stops in at his mum’s place for some damper. If only every tour experience was as enjoyable. See walkaboutadventures.com.au
International African American Museum, South Carolina
Grisly history is balanced with stories of survival and triumph.Credit: International African American Museum
This poignant and important museum in Charleston opened in 2023 at the very spot where almost half of all African slaves entered North America. Their inhumane transport – shackled sardine-like in the bellies of ships – is powerfully depicted in the memorial garden, in a work called Tide Tribute. Inside the museum, the history is balanced with stories of survival and triumph. It takes several hours to explore the latest special exhibition and another nine galleries, which include an insight into the Gullah Geechee culture found in coastal areas of the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. See iaamuseum.org
Canoe the Whanganui River, New Zealand
Owhango Adventures leads guests on canoe tours along the sacred river.Credit: Owhango Adventures
In 2017 the Whanganui River was the first river in the world to be recognised as a legal person, a battle that took 175 years. Owhango Adventures leads guests on canoe tours along the sacred river, explaining its importance to the Whanganui iwi (tribes), the history of their fight for recognition and what they are currently doing to protect the waterway even further. To paddle alongside these passionate and determined iwi, who now help other international rivers, including Australia’s Murray River, is to learn the Indigenous way of viewing human-landscape connections. Not just an immersive experience, but a life-changing one. See canoewhanganuiriver.com
Passchendaele Museum, Belgium
Passchendaele Museum … the closest you’ll (hopefully) get to experiencing what it was like to live through WWI.Credit: Getty Images
It’s one thing to see the white-cross-lined landscapes of World War I, it’s another entirely to visit this extraordinary museum, located right on the former frontline, and relive the horrors. With images of the fighting flashed onto walls accompanied by the sounds – the shouts, the screams, and even some of the smells – you’re transported back to those terrible times. And what was it really like to live through this? You hear the poignant letters the soldiers sent home, listen to their conversations and can wander through life-sized trenches yourself. This is the closest – thank God – you’ll ever get to WWI. See passchendaele.be/en/home-en
On Board Expeditions, Tasmania
Luxury catamaran Odalisque cruises the mirrored waters of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour.
There are many parts to this experience – the luxury catamaran that takes just 12 guests, the talented Tasmanian chef and the sublime food, even the seaplane flight that delivers guests from Hobart to Port Davey in the Tasmanian wilderness. But in the end, it’s the On Board crew that completes the picture – such is their knowledge of this remote region and its unique landscape and seascape, its plants and wildlife, its Indigenous and European histories and the challenges those isolated cultures faced alone and when they clashed. It has guests feeling connected to the area and yearning to return. And don’t the best stories leave you wanting more? See onboardexpeditions.com.au
Abercrombie & Kent’s Okahirongo Elephant Lodge
Sunset at Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, Purros.Credit: Abercrombie & Kent
The design approach of luxury company Abercrombie & Kent assures that its lodges sensitively embrace the natural surrounds. None reflects this more than Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, an extraordinary retreat in the remote desertscape of north-west Namibia that was refurbished in 2023. Resembling a movie set on a futuristic planet, a series of whitewashed modules (seven suites and a family suite) extend along a ridge, directly overlooking the Hoarusib River Valley. The egg-shaped entrance pays homage to the local Himba people. Gourmet cuisine, wilderness drives and star gazing are also out of this world. See abercrombiekent.com.au
Africa is a family affair for the owners of Australia’s oldest travel specialist, Bench Africa, which turned 55 this year. The family-run company was founded by a Kenyan and owns ground operations in Africa. This proximity to the continent’s pulse, and the company’s practice of positioning its journeys within a broader ecological and social context, infuses the tourism experience. Visiting a chief’s homestead in Eswatini, for example, or meeting rangers involved in the restocking of depleted reserves in Malawi. See benchafrica.com
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, south-west Victoria
Try the signature kooyang (eel) tasting plates at Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre & Cafe.Credit: Visit Victoria
For thousands of years, the Gunditjmara people have shaped south-west Victoria’s waterways and wetlands, creating channels and weirs for farming eel that are now recognised by UNESCO as one of the world’s oldest examples of aquaculture. At Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre & Cafe, part of Budj Bim Cultural Landscape at the end of the Great Ocean Road, a two-hour guided tour shares how Gunditjmara managed their country before European arrival, with a focus on the role of eels. After the tour, guests can try the signature kooyang (eel) tasting plates. Eel crackling is a highlight. See budjbim.com.au
Walkabout Cultural Adventures, Queensland
Learn spear throwing, collect pipis and catch mud crabs.Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
Juan Walker has a gift. He’s a total natural when it comes to sharing his knowledge, his culture and his country with others, particularly those who have never seen Kuku Yalanji country, around Port Douglas, through the eyes of its traditional owners. Juan hosts tours that feel like a day out with your new best mate, a mate who takes you swimming in rivers, spearing mud crabs in the mangroves, looking for natural medicines in the rainforest, who tells you stories and even stops in at his mum’s place for some damper. If only every tour experience was as enjoyable. See walkaboutadventures.com.au
International African American Museum, South Carolina
Grisly history is balanced with stories of survival and triumph.Credit: International African American Museum
This poignant and important museum in Charleston opened in 2023 at the very spot where almost half of all African slaves entered North America. Their inhumane transport – shackled sardine-like in the bellies of ships – is powerfully depicted in the memorial garden, in a work called Tide Tribute. Inside the museum, the history is balanced with stories of survival and triumph. It takes several hours to explore the latest special exhibition and another nine galleries, which include an insight into the Gullah Geechee culture found in coastal areas of the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. See iaamuseum.org
Canoe the Whanganui River, New Zealand
Owhango Adventures leads guests on canoe tours along the sacred river.Credit: Owhango Adventures
In 2017 the Whanganui River was the first river in the world to be recognised as a legal person, a battle that took 175 years. Owhango Adventures leads guests on canoe tours along the sacred river, explaining its importance to the Whanganui iwi (tribes), the history of their fight for recognition and what they are currently doing to protect the waterway even further. To paddle alongside these passionate and determined iwi, who now help other international rivers, including Australia’s Murray River, is to learn the Indigenous way of viewing human-landscape connections. Not just an immersive experience, but a life-changing one. See canoewhanganuiriver.com
Passchendaele Museum, Belgium
Passchendaele Museum … the closest you’ll (hopefully) get to experiencing what it was like to live through WWI.Credit: Getty Images
It’s one thing to see the white-cross-lined landscapes of World War I, it’s another entirely to visit this extraordinary museum, located right on the former frontline, and relive the horrors. With images of the fighting flashed onto walls accompanied by the sounds – the shouts, the screams, and even some of the smells – you’re transported back to those terrible times. And what was it really like to live through this? You hear the poignant letters the soldiers sent home, listen to their conversations and can wander through life-sized trenches yourself. This is the closest – thank God – you’ll ever get to WWI. See passchendaele.be/en/home-en
On Board Expeditions, Tasmania
Luxury catamaran Odalisque III and tender in Bathurst Harbour.
There are many parts to this experience – the luxury catamaran that takes just 12 guests, the talented Tasmanian chef and the sublime food, even the seaplane flight that delivers guests from Hobart to Port Davey in the Tasmanian wilderness. But in the end, it’s the On Board crew that completes the picture – such is their knowledge of this remote region and its unique landscape and seascape, its plants and wildlife, its Indigenous and European histories and the challenges those isolated cultures faced alone and when they clashed. It has guests feeling connected to the area and yearning to return. And don’t the best stories leave you wanting more? See onboardexpeditions.com.au
Abercrombie & Kent’s Okahirongo Elephant Lodge
Sunset at Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, Purros.Credit: Abercrombie & Kent
The design approach of luxury company Abercrombie & Kent assures that its lodges sensitively embrace the natural surrounds. None reflects this more than Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, an extraordinary retreat in the remote desertscape of north-west Namibia that was refurbished in 2023. Resembling a movie set on a futuristic planet, a series of whitewashed modules (seven suites and a family suite) extend along a ridge, directly overlooking the Hoarusib River Valley. The egg-shaped entrance pays homage to the local Himba people. Gourmet cuisine, wilderness drives and star gazing are also out of this world. See abercrombiekent.com.au
Traveller Awards contributors: Kate Armstrong, John Borthwick, Jim Darby, Anthony Dennis, Ben Groundwater, Julietta Jameson, Trudi Jenkins, Brian Johnston, Ute Junker, Katrina Lobley, Catherine Marshall, Rob McFarland, Justin Meneguzzi, Craig Platt, Jane Reddy, Jane Richards, Tim Richards, Craig Tansley, Lee Tulloch, Kerry van der Jagt, Penny Watson, Sue Williams
You’d think we get enough drama from news and social media—but honestly, we live for it. Netflix has stories of tortured romance; parental struggles; political victories; and all manner of triumphs and tragedies, whether entirely fictional or inspired by true events.
Past Lives (2023)
Greta Lee plays Nora, whose family emigrated from South Korea to the United States when she was a child. Years later, and then over the course of several years, she reunites with childhood friend Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), forcing an examination of her life as it is, and as it might have been. Certainly among the best of the last five years, the film’s exploration of roads not taken builds to a powerful emotional punch. You can stream Past Liveshere.
The Two Popes (2019)
With a bit of extra relevance in recent days, this biographical film from director Fernando Meirelles (City of God) dramatizes a key period in the relationship between then-Pope Benedict XVI and his soon-to-be successor, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (later Francis). Following the Vatican leaks scandal of 2012, Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) finds himself weakened both physically and in terms of his authority—as he considers resigning the Papacy, he summons Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), the leading contender to replace him. The two debate theology and struggle with their own futures in a near two-hander than earned each of the actors Academy Award nominations. You can stream The Two Popes here.
The Six Triple Eight (2024)
Tyler Perry directs this war drama, and it’s likely his best movie yet, with a powerhouse lead performance from Kerry Washington as the real-life Major Charity Adams, commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. During World War II, a backlog in mail delivery was causing tremendous harm to troop morale, and so this battalion of Black women was charged with getting letters delivered; Perry’s greatest achievement here is making an extremely convincing case for the significance of mail sorting. Once deployed to Germany, the women come under fire from enemy soldiers, as well as from fellow allied soldiers who see no place for women, and particularly Black women, in wartime. You can stream The Six Triple Eighthere.
The Long Game (2023)
The drama here is quietly understated, though the stakes are very real. Jay Hernandez heads up the cast here to tell the true story of a group of teens from Del Rio, Texas of the 1950s, who set out to play golf at a white country club as the San Felipe Mustangs. They could be caddies, of course—but to actually play?! The kids went on to win the 1957 Texas State High School Golf Championship, with Long Game dramatizing the triumphs, setbacks, and extremely overt racism on the road to that victory. You can stream The Long Gamehere.
Society of the Snow (2023)
The true story of the 1972 Uruguayan rugby team lost in the Andes following a plane crash has been the subject of multiple documentaries and two previous dramas (the best known being, almost certainly, Frank Marshall’s cannibalism-heavy Alive from 1993). For all that Andes-crash content, this is the best of all of them: a thoughtful and tasteful take on what’s sometimes been presented as a salacious drama, with director J. A. Bayona emphasizing both the physical perils faced by the team and the spiritual toll of survival. You can stream Society of the Snowhere.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
Sweaty, smoky clubs; outspoken (often openly queer) women who accepted no bullshit—women like Bessie Smith, Lucille Bogan, Gladys Bentley, and, of course, Ma Rainey. The 1920s blues scene was a moment, and Wolfe’s movie goes a long way to resurrecting the era with its contained but explosive story of one stormy Chicago recording session. Based on August Wilson’s play, it’s packed with brilliant performances, led by Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in his final film role. You can stream Ma Rainey’s Black Bottomhere.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Jane Campion came roaring back after an absence from the director’s chair of a decade or so, with this, the most acclaimed film of her career to date. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Phil Burbank, as beguiling as he is cruel, who runs a family ranch in 1925 with his far gentler brother, George (Jesse Plemons). Phil’s callousness sparks into flame when George finds love with a local waitress (Kirsten Dunst), his brother’s happiness shifting their power dynamic uncomfortably, and leaving Phil to contemplate (or, rather, to avoid contemplating) his feelings for the man who taught him how to be a cowboy years earlier. You can stream The Power of the Doghere.
Shirley (2024)
A woman president? What’s next?! Academy Award winner John Ridley (screenwriter of 12 Years a Slave) directs this quite necessary biopic of sometimes-forgotten pioneer Shirley Chisholm. The first Black woman elected to Congress (in 1969), Chisolm ran a forcefully progressive campaign for president just three years later. Even if the movie is a bit formulaic, in the ways that these things sometimes are, Regina King (perhaps unsurprisingly) gives a moving, illuminating performance as the idiosyncratic trailblazer. You can stream Shirley here.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
Charmingly unwieldy name aside, Guernsey is a cute and clever period drama based on the popular novel from Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Lily James stars as Juliet Ashton (pen name: Izzy Bickerstaff), a writer in 1946 who finds herself entranced by the titular society, formed during the German occupation of the island. Like the book before it, the quirkiness of the story’s characters masks dark undertones related to the horrors of the just-concluded war, lending the film a surprising emotional depth. Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Donnie Brasco) directs. You can stream The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Societyhere.
Anyone but You (2023)
A loose spin on Much Ado About Nothing, Anyone But You stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell as a couple who meet, hit it off for about a minute—and then immediately start to get on each other’s nerves. Until, of course, they need wedding dates and find themselves surrounded by scheming friends. As Shakespeare taught us, of such inauspicious beginnings are great romances sometimes born. It’s not wildly out there as rom-com premises go, but the movie is briskly directed and boasts strong chemistry (a must) between Sweeney and Powell. You can stream Anyone but Youhere.
Beginners (2010)
Better late than never: That’s the message of Beginners, in which Hal, played by Christopher Plummer (beginning his own late-career resurgence) comes out to his son, Oliver (Ewan McGregor). As Hal begins to live his life more openly and finds love with a younger man, he also develops a more honest relationship with his son. As a result, the two become closer than they ever were before, and their relationship inspires Oliver to pursue a new romance of his own—and to generally live life on his own terms. It’s a movie about how, sometimes, being true to yourself is the best way to be a good parent. You can stream Beginnershere.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Director Spike Lee had his greatest triumph with this funny, quotable, and ultimately explosive film about the racial tensions percolating in a Brooklyn neighborhood on a hot summer day. Stylish, funny, humane, and, ultimately, a gut punch. You can stream Do the Right Thinghere.
Scoop (2024)
The reliably great Gillian Anderson plays real-life British journalist Emily Maitlis, who lead the BBC2 team that secured the disastrous interview with Prince Andrew (Rufus Sewell) that laid bare his associations with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein—and by “disastrous,” I mean that it was a disaster for the Prince, who couldn’t seem to stop himself from making things worse. A juicy and compelling true story. Keeley Hawes and Billie Piper also star. You can stream Scoop here.
Passing (2021)
This gorgeous black-and-white adaptation of the once-controversial 1929 novel explores the dramatized history of some light-skinned African-Americans attempting to pass as white. Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson play old friends who reunite unexpectedly after years apart; one is married to a Black man and living in Harlem while the other is married to an odious, racist white doctor who has no idea his wife isn’t the woman he thinks she is. The fallout both women experience as a result of their chance encounter is an indictment of a society that would place so much value on skin color, yes, but it’s also a challenging consideration of the choices people will make for self-preservation, and it offers no easy answers. You can stream Passinghere.
May December (2023)
Todd Haynes directs this insightful, moving, and also deliberately campy story of an actress visiting the woman she’ll be playing in a film. The movie’s deft, and unexpected, blending of tones makes it pretty consistently fascinating, and the lead performances from Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton saw them all as Oscar nomination frontrunners, even if no actual nods were forthcoming. You can stream May Decemberhere.
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Carol (2015)
The chemistry between Rooney Mara’s Therese and Cate Blanchett’s Carol is palpable from the moment their eyes meet across a crowded department store—but it’s the 1950s, and theirs is a love that dare not speak its name, even to one another. That’s just how things were back then (luckily, queerphobia has been entirely eradicated). The women suffer for their love in Todd Haynes’ modern classic, but the tears come less when things are going bad as when it starts to feel like they might just possibly start to go a little right. You can stream Carolhere.
Nyad (2023)
Annette Bening stars as the real-life Diana Nyad, who swam from Florida to Cuba in her 60s—powered largely by an unyielding willfulness. The movie succeeds in large part because of the performances from and chemistry between lead Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, both of whom received Oscar nominations for their work here. The movie makes a strong case that age is inevitably a weakness in many ways, but can also be a source of surprising strength. You can stream Nyadhere.
The Lost Daughter (2021)
Inspired, in part, by ancient Greek mythology, this psychological drama was probably never destined to be a crowd-pleaser—but it’s a genuinely confident, bold debut from writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal. Olivia Colman (who got a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her trouble) plays Leda Caruso, a middle-aged college professor who develops a rather disturbing obsession with a woman and her young daughter while on holiday in Greece. Jessie Buckley also got an Oscar nod for playing a younger version of Leda, and Gyllenhaal picked up a nomination for her screenplay. You can stream The Lost Daughterhere.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
Chiwetel Ejiofor wrote and directed (also co-starred) in the biographical, family-friendly (in the best sense) film based not he memoir of William Kamkwamba (played here by Maxwell Simba). Born to a family of farmers in Kasungu, Malawi, William barely manages to stay in school (essentially blackmailing a teacher in lieu of being able to afford tuition), but his persistence pays off: the young engineering prodigy develops a design for a windmill that might be able to save the village from the impacts of drought and a global economic downturn—but only if he can convince his family that the sacrifices required to build his machine will be worth it. You can stream The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind here.
Judy (2019)
Renée Zellweger won an Oscar for her portrayal of screen legend Judy Garland in this biopic that focuses on the last year of her life, contrasting the period of trial with scenes from her early life, and drawing straight lines between the treatment of a child actor with the troubles of an aging star. There are some biopic tropes here, and the film builds to a necessarily tragic conclusion, but there’s a great deal of heart and humanity here, and Zellweger offers up a very worthy performance. You can stream Judyhere.
Twilight (2008)
Say what you like about Catherine Hardwicke’s adaptation of the Stephenie Meyer’s novel: the movie was a blockbuster and a genuine pop culture phenomenon, touching on the drama and trauma of teen romance in grand, nearly operatic, style. The movie was released during the country’s last major economic downturn, and some sparkly vampires might be just the comfort watch you need in more recently troubling times. You can stream Twilighthere.
Goodfellas (1990)
Martin Scorsese’s epic take on the life of real-life mobster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) is an indisputable classic of the genre—in fact, it’s the movie people think of first when you mention gangster movies. Scorsese has rarely been better, but the movie’s performances (from Liotta, Robert De Niro, Lorraine Bracco, and Joe Pesci) are where it soars. You can stream Goodfellashere.
Rustin (2023)
Colman Domingo gives a stellar performance (he earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination) as the title’s Bayard Rustin, the gay Civil Rights leader who planned the March on Washington. Domingo is all charm here as a man desperate to advance a movement focused on his skin color but is less certain how to treat his sexuality. Not only is it an intersectional corrective to our very straight-centered vision of the Civil Rights Movement, it’s a stylish and moving biopic in its own right. You can stream Rustin here.
The Boys in the Band (2020)
An update of the 1968 play (previously adapted to the screen by William Friedkin in 1970), Boys in the Band keeps its period setting and premise: Michael (Jim Parsons) is hosting a very gay birthday for his friend Harold (Zachary Quinto), joined by their friends Donald (Matt Bomer) and Larry (Andrew Rannells). Everyone’s ready to cut loose without the pressure of having to act straight—until they’re joined unexpectedly by married Alan (Brian Hutchison), and everyone has to decide how far they’re willing to shove themselves back in the closet. You can stream The Boys in the Bandhere.
Two over grown African American ladies from Chicago have been caught on camera fighting like nobody’s business along the street.
The ladies, who are suspected to be whores, are now trending on social media after the video of them fighting goes viral on internet as the one bites the other’s face turned to dog’s fight.
The video has got people’s mixed reactions as other are blaming the man who was filming them and the other crackhead guy who was there cheering and commentating instead of separating them.
While others are blaming women for disrespecting themselves by solving their issues through fighting.
Netizens are now throwing their opinions in the comment box and some have commented as below:
“The fact that these bitches out here in their mid to late 50s, dressed in 20 year old attire, fighting says enough for me. The ghetto gone keep ghettoing”
“Just wondering how she managed to grab that part.”
“Smh this world really gone…people really stood there videotaping this shit instead of they break up it up…I don’t find this amusing or entertaining”
“So half way through the fight they turned into dogs”
Anime Statistics and Facts By Revenue, Country, Rating, Market Size and Demographic August 13, 2024 —
Introduction
For children worldwide, anime and cartoons are the two most popular entertainment mediums. However, there are distinctions between them despite their similarities. Anime often features human-like characters, while cartoons depict more stylized characters. Anime is predominantly popular in Japan, whereas cartoons have a global following. With the expansion of the entertainment industry, anime shows and movies are now accessible on various OTT platforms. As of 2022, the anime market was valued at $26.89 billion and continues to grow.
Interesting anime facts are filled with fascinating insights from across the globe, accompanied by captivating graphics. Nowadays, anime has spawned a vast spin-off industry and has influenced the artistic design of modern society. Many artists, clothing designers, and creators on social media draw inspiration from anime, crafting unique characters or reimagining well-known ones. This creativity extends to practical and visually appealing merchandise such as enamel pins, Custom Lanyards, custom stickers, and keychains, which are popular among fans and customers.
Editor’s Choice
It costs between $100,000 to $200,000 to create an anime episode.
The first animated film to win an Academy Award was ‘Spirited Away’.
The anime series ‘Code Geass’ was sponsored by Pizza Hut.
On average, each anime released worldwide takes around 13 years and months to watch completely.
About 33% of Japan’s population regularly watches anime or reads manga, totaling 41.5 million individuals.
According to internet searches, Naruto has about 1.97 million monthly searches, followed by Demon Slayer at 1.51 million, and Pokémon at 1.40 million searches in the United States of America.
Worldwide, there are 54% male and 46% female anime enthusiasts.
Currently, anime contributes around 60% of the entertainment industry’s content.
In 2021, 222 million subscribers of Netflix had watched at least one anime.
The highest-grossing anime in recent years is Pokémon, generating around $110 billion in revenue.
Meaning and History of Anime
Anime refers to computer-generated or hand-drawn animation that originated in Japan. Animation produced outside Japan is often termed anime-influenced animation. Japan boasts the largest audience for such shows and movies, with anime even being taught as a separate subject in schools. The concept of animation emerged in the 20th century and was influenced by techniques from Russia, France, Germany, and the United States of America.
Most Popular Anime of All Time
Naruto holds the top spot among the most popular anime, encompassing 16.2% of the total.
Pokémon follows with an 8.8% market share, while Kimetsu no Yaiba, Jujutsu Kaisen, and One Piece contribute 7.8%, 7.3%, and 7.2% respectively.
Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, and Naruto Shippuden hold 5.2%, 4.9%, and 2.7% shares.
Other anime collectively make up 34.5% of the all-time favorites.
Top 3 OTT Platforms For Anime
Crunchyroll – As the largest anime streaming platform globally, Crunchyroll offers over 40,000 episodes and 16,000 hours of content to its 100 million registered users. The basic subscription costs $8.
Netflix – This platform features a significant collection of anime shows and releases new anime content regularly for a monthly fee of $7, accessible to viewers worldwide.
Hidive – Ranking third, Hidive is an affordable option for anime streaming, priced at $5 per month.
Anime Facts
The term ‘Pokémon’ originates from the combination of ‘Pocket’ and ‘monster’.
‘Spirited Away’ was the first anime to win an Academy Award.
The ramen shop ‘Ichiraku’ in Naruto actually exists in real life.
The series Haikyuu was created to popularize volleyball.
In the initial script, Naruto was portrayed as a chef rather than a fox.
In Spirited Away, character names hold symbolic meanings.
Currently, anime makes up 60% of the entertainment industry’s content.
Sazae-San, an anime series from 1969, holds the record as Japan’s longest-running show.
The Pokémon Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee are named after martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.
The anime Code Geass was sponsored by Pizza Hut.
Japan produces more manga than toilet paper.
Anime is taught as a separate subject in Japanese schools.
Over 136,700 anime shows have been released worldwide to date.
On average, each anime released globally takes around 11 years to watch completely.
Creating an anime episode typically costs between $100,000 to $200,000.
In Attack on Titan, Titans are said to be inspired by intoxicated individuals.
The longest anime fight recorded was between Frieza and Goku.
Currently, 88.5% and 89.6% of university and high school students, respectively, watch anime.
In 2021, Netflix’s 222 million subscribers had viewed at least one anime.
Anime Statistics By Rating
(Reference: animenewsnetwork.com)
The Anime series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood holds the highest rating as of 2023.
Following are Steins: Gate with a 9.04 rating and Clannad After Story with a 9.03 rating on the list of highest-rated anime.
Other notable entries on the list include Your Name (8.98), Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal (8.96), and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (8.92).
Anime Statistics By Market Size
The anime market was valued at $22.6 billion and $24.2 billion in the years 2020 and 2021 amid the pandemic.
Expected values for 2023 are $26 billion and $28 billion after a stable 2% increase in 2022.
Forecasts predict market sizes of $30.1 billion, $32.4 billion, $35 billion, and $47.8 billion for 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively.
Projections continue with values of $40.9 billion in 2028, $44.3 billion in 2029, and $48.3 billion in 2030.
Top 10 Anime By Most Viewed
The “seen by” column indicates the number of people who have added the title in MyAnime, either in “seen some”, “seen all”, or “will not finish” categories. The rating displayed here is the same weighted average as the Top 50 Best Rated by weighted average, but is only displayed for reference and doesn’t have anything to do with the order of the titles.
(Reference: animenewsnetwork.com)
Fullmetal Alchemist leads the list of most viewed anime displaying 23,783 total views in 2023.
Death Note and Cowboy Bebop follow closely with 22,525 and 21,320 total views, respectively.
Other entries include Bleach, Naruto, and Neon Genesis Evangelion with 21,114, 18,716, and 18,124 total views correspondingly.
Elfen Lied, Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Spirited Away garnered 17,142, 15,779, and 15,616 views, respectively.
Princess Mononoke rounds off the list with about 15,591 total views as of 2023.
Anime Statistics By Demographic
In Japan, 33% of the population, approximately 41.5 million, watch anime or read manga regularly.
66% of people in Japan born between 1995 and 2000 watch anime daily, while 21% watch it weekly.
Globally, there are 54% male and 46% female anime enthusiasts, with the average age being 24 years.
All age groups are represented among anime fans, with 42% of millennials and 25% of Gen Z being regular watchers.
Furthermore, 21% of anime viewers belong to Gen X, and 12% are from the baby boomer population.
(Reference: headphonesaddict.com)
28% of the white population enjoy watching anime, while 42% are not interested.
Additionally, 30% of white individuals have not heard about anime before.
Regarding Hispanic backgrounds, 40% watch anime, 35% have no interest, and 25% are unaware of anime.
For African Americans, 37% watch anime, 33% do not, and 30% are unfamiliar with the genre.
Across various ethnic groups, 45% watch anime, 29% do not, and 26% have not been exposed to anime shows.
Age Group
Share
25 years old or older
27.4%
19-24 years old
25.8%
16-18 years old
17.6%
13-15 years old
16.4%
10-12 years old
9.6%
9 years old or younger
3.2%
(Reference: headphonesaddict.com)
27.4% of manga readers are aged 25 years and above.
25.8% of manga readers fall in the 19 to 24 years age group.
Furthermore, 16
1. Manga Readership Breakdown
17.6% makes the total manga reader percentage.
Among manga readers, 16.4% belong to the 13 to 15 years age group, and 9.6% belong to the 10 to 12 years age group.
Interestingly, 3.2% of manga readers are 9 years old or even younger.
2. Anime Statistics By Region
In North and South America, Naruto is watched by 48.7% of the population.
31.42% prefer Pokémon, while 11.42% watch Attack on Titan.
Only 8.57% of the population prefers Demon Slayer.
In the Asian continent, 39.13% watch Attack on Titan, and 28.26% watch Naruto.
One Piece is watched by 15.21% of the population, while 6.52%, 4.32%, and 2.17% prefer Pokémon, Death Note, One Punch Man, and Bleach, respectively.
Majority of the population in Africa loves Naruto, with percentages of 17.64%, 11.76%, and 7.84% preferring One Piece, Attack on Titan, and Pokémon, respectively.
In Europe, 41.86% of the population watches Naruto, with Pokémon, Attack on Titan, and One Piece following at 23.26%, 18.60%, and 9.30%.
3. Anime Statistics By Country
Attack on Titan was the most-watched anime series in the United States of America in 2021.
Naruto has around 1.97 million monthly searches, followed by Demon Slayer at 1.51 million and Pokémon at 1.40 million in the United States.
Only 35% of female anime lovers are in the United States.
In Vietnam, France, and Russia, more females watch anime than males, with percentages of 54%, 52%, and 53%, respectively.
Popular anime shows are banned in China.
4. Top Anime Popularity Countries
The most popular anime segment countries are Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Malaysia, Chile, Myanmar, and Taiwan also show high anime popularity.
China, Hong Kong, and Singapore are ranked lower in anime popularity.
5. Anime Statistics By Revenue
In terms of revenue, Pokémon leads with $110 billion, followed by Anpanman with $44.9 billion and Dragon Ball with $30 billion.
The anime segment earns the highest revenue share overseas at 51%.
Anime merchandising contributes 24% to the revenue share, while 11% comes from Pachinko and similar ventures.
Revenue from internet distribution stands at 3.8%, followed by 3.5% from TV.
Anime movies and videos each generate 2.5% and 1.9% of the revenue share, respectively.
Live entertainment and music make up 1.2% and 1.1% of the total revenue share.
(Reference: headphonesaddict.com)
If you’re a fan of anime, you’d be glad to know that it remains the most captivating content from Japanese culture, providing a cozy viewing experience. It beautifully showcases Japanese culture in many of its shows and movies. Additionally, OTT platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll offer anime shows at affordable rates. Manga is also an option for those who prefer reading over watching. From these intriguing anime facts, one can conclude that the anime industry has been rapidly expanding globally since the 20th century, attracting a dedicated fan base that knows no bounds.
Conclusion
Anime is the most attractive content delivered by Japanese culture to the world. Most of the time watching Anime feels cozy. If you love culture, then anime is for you. Many of the anime shows and movies showcase culture based in Japan. Moreover, OTT platforms such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, etc… are promoting anime shows at lower costs. Even if you are not a movie lover you can read the manga which is similar to anime. By looking at the interesting anime facts, a conclusion can be drawn by saying that, since the 20th century the anime industry is growing more speedily than ever around the globe. And the industry will experience a never-ending fanbase from corners of the world.
Various types of anime shows and movies are available on OTT platforms such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon prime video, and Funimation with a monthly subscription.
Where is Anime originated from?
Anime originated in Japan in the 20th century showing a different visual style from cartoons.
What are the genres of Anime?
The most common genres in Anime are History, romance, drama/tragedy, comedy, action, military and psychological.
Which are the famous anime production companies?
CoMix Wave Films, Production I.G, Bones, Ufotable, MAPPA, Sunrise, Kyoto Animation, Studio Ghibli, Wit Studio, and Toei Animation are some of the famous anime production companies.
Anime Statistics and Facts By Revenue, Country, Rating, Market Size and Demographic
Data is from 2023 and 2024 and forecast data is for 2025 and 2026. We also expand the forecast data to 2027 and 2028.
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REFERENCES:
This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:
Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.
Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.
Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.
Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.
Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.
Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.
Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Anime Statistics and Facts By Revenue, Country, Rating, Market Size and Demographic August 13, 2024
Rich Paul’s Net Worth and Salary: What’s the Deal?
Rich Paul, with a net worth of $120 million, is a renowned American sports agent. He is the brains behind Klutch Sports Group, which has represented top basketball stars, notably his close pal LeBron James. Boasting a clientele of over 20 NBA players, Rich Paul holds a powerful position in the sports realm. His players have spearheaded deals exceeding $4 billion, with LeBron James contributing nearly half of that amount.
Reflecting on his journey to the summit of the sports industry, Paul remarked:
“In the sports agent domain, I’m a unique prospect – young, African-American, and devoid of elite business school credentials. To those aspiring for greatness, I preach not just dreaming big but making those dreams a reality. I seized the right moment and achieved success. Complacency is the antithesis of satisfaction; I stay hungry for more, now more than ever before.”
The Formative Years
Rich Paul hails from modest origins, born in 1981 and raised in Cleveland. His early life was marred by adversity, grappling with challenging circumstances and poverty. The loss of his father in 1999 posed a significant hurdle that he overcame. Gun violence and substance abuse were prevalent in his vicinity. Despite this, his father instilled profound values in him before his demise, inspiring Rich Paul to aspire to greater heights. Recollecting his upbringing, Rich Paul shared: “When I revisit neighborhoods like Greater Cleveland’s inner city, where I grew up, young black kids express viewing my career as an alternative path to escape their tumultuous environments. They yearn to emulate me. Their ambition fuels mine.” Rich Paul showcased his entrepreneurial flair early on. Fresh out of high school, he kickstarted his business selling rare sports jerseys out of his car. Serendipitously, he crossed paths with LeBron James at an airport while peddling his jerseys. Impressed by Paul’s collection, the basketball luminary later engaged the entrepreneur to procure assorted jerseys.
Emergence as an Agent
Rich Paul’s fortuitous encounter with LeBron James paved the way for unprecedented success. Ingratiating himself into LeBron’s “inner circle,” Paul apprenticed under the wing of seasoned sports agent Leon Rose. Allegedly, LeBron James remunerated Rich Paul $50,000 annually for essentially acting as his “on-call aide.” During this tenure, Paul imbibed insights into the sports agency realm.
Turning Point
In 2012, LeBron James made a surprising switch from Leon Rose to join Rich Paul’s nascent independent venture, Klutch Sports Group. While LeBron was Paul’s inaugural and flagship client, their partnership burgeoned dramatically. Paul’s clientele expanded to encompass luminaries like Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, and Draymond Green. In 2019, news surfaced that aside from his cadre of “all-star” NBA players, Rich Paul garnered roughly $70 million that year from relatively obscure players back then, such as Eric Bledsoe, Tristan Thompson, and Jordan Clarkson.
That same year, Rich Paul orchestrated a $170 million transaction concerning the transfer of Anthony Davis. This transaction triggered controversy, given Davis’s extant 2.5-year contract with New Orleans. With Rich Paul’s backing, Davis demanded a transfer, a wish that materialized, sparking fervent discussions in the NBA.
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Initially met with skepticism regarding his prowess and capacity, especially when he enlisted LeBron James as his premier client, Rich Paul silenced detractors. His pivotal role in orchestrating Davis’s union with James at the Lakers transformed public opinion. Rich Paul emerged as a formidable force worthy of recognition. Furthermore, scrutinies were cast on players and agents like James and Paul for purportedly “conspiring” to construct “super teams.”
Rich Paul personally raked in $30 million annually from commissions and clinched the third spot among the most prosperous NBA agents in 2020. Klutch Sports Group diversified into the NFL, with Rich Paul commencing representation of defensive end Chase Young in 2020.
Lifting the Veil on the Rich Paul Rule
In 2019, the NCAA introduced the loosely termed “Rich Paul Rule,” stipulating prerequisites for sports agents seeking to counsel college athletes eyeing the NBA draft. This mandate necessitated agents to possess a college degree and acquire three years of NBA Players Association certification, among additional criteria. This label was coined in light of Rich Paul’s non-possession of a college degree upon entering the sports agency domain. The ruling drew flak, including from Rich Paul, who proposed: “Why doesn’t the NCAA collaborate with universities to devise a one-year program for agents lacking the stipulated credentials but eager to grasp the trade? Alternatively, they could engage existing compliant agents to mentor aspirants seeking to break into the industry.” Effectively, the edict thwarted the occurrence of another Rich Paul “phenomenon.” The NCAA faced mounting pressure from a growing cohort decrying bias against underprivileged individuals (like Paul). Subsequently, the NCAA rescinded the mandate.
Applause and Accolades
Rich Paul has earned acclaim for his triumphs, heralded as a “Cinderella tale.” Owing to his ascent from “rags to riches,” a legion of well-wishers rally behind him. Fellow agents, such as Arn Tellem, extolled him, remarking: “Rich is an attentive listener, exudes humility, invested exhaustive efforts to learn, and, above all, conveys sincerity and empathy. He connects with and comprehends his clients’ goals. He forges robust personal bonds, and they wholeheartedly trust in him. That embodies a stellar agent.”
Into the Personal Sphere
Rich Paul commenced dating British singer-songwriter Adele in 2021.
In 2020, Paul secured a spot on the “Ebony Power 100 List.” Subsequently, in 2022, he clinched the fourth rank on Forbes‘ roster of the “World’s Most Powerful Sports Agents.”
Venturing into Real Estate
In 2016, Rich Paul acquired a residence in Beverly Grove for $3 million. The following year, he invested in another property: a state-of-the-art construct in Fairfax, for $4.35 million. In 2019, a lavish abode in Beverly Hills joined Paul’s assets, for a whopping $11.7 million. Notably, in August 2022, Adele and Paul collaborated to finance a mammoth $37.7 million mortgage for a grandiose Beverly Hills estate purchased from Sylvester Stallone at $58 million.
