Anime scripts real-life lessons for Gen Z
Chennai: For many teenagers and young adults, watching anime is not just a hobby. A growing number of Gen Z in the city are building identities around the anime characters they admire.
These characters may be fictional, but the influence is very real.
They speak like them, dress like them, and in some cases, even try to live like them. Whether it's Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan, Thorfinn from Vinland Saga, Naruto or Sung Jinwoo, these characters serve as emotional anchors and tools for self-reflection for many.
During a conversation with TOI, Class VIII student R Monika, who wants to be an IAS officer, says anime helps shape her worldview.
She calls her sister "Anita-san," using the Japanese honorific, and slips in words such as "konichiwa" while talking.
"When Eren Yeager's true intentions are revealed in Attack on Titan, I realized how cruel and oblivious people can be. We must try to make the world a better place to live for everyone irrespective of the race, religion, caste and culture. I will try my best to make that a reality."
A recent study shows that for many in the 18–28 age group, anime is now a lifestyle.
Japanese words such as "senpai" and "arigato" find their way into everyday conversations. Some wear anime-themed shirts while others proudly call themselves "otakus" or "weebs".
For one teen, the anime Naruto offered comfort and clarity. "My brother topped his school, he's always been a bright student. I was not so. I wanted to get validation from my parents, much like Naruto," he said. "The character is energetic, brave, and never gives up, even when people around him doubt him.
Naruto dreams of becoming the strongest ninja, the hokage, to earn respect."
Adults, too, are inspired by these stories. M Karthik, a 24-year-old MNC employee, said anime helped him manage his anger. "I used to be short-tempered," he said. "I've lost my cool and even gotten into fights. A college friend introduced me to anime, and the first one I watched was Vinland Saga." The story of Thorfinn, a young Viking on a journey of revenge and eventual redemption, made him rethink his views on violence.
"The story shows how violence affects people and questions the meaning of true strength. As Thorfinn grows, he dreams of a peaceful land called Vinland," Karthik said.
Psychologist Shrishti Yadav says this connection has roots in behavioural science. "A theory by Albert Bandura explains this. Compared to those who watch soap operas, anime viewers often adopt behaviour, appearance and moral framing of characters they admire," she said.
"However, over-reliance on anime for emotional regulation can hinder the development of real-world coping skills," Yadav said. "Addictive viewing patterns might contribute to issues such as depression and anxiety in vulnerable individuals, and in extreme cases, blur lines between fiction and reality," she added.
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