In recent weeks, Japanese forums have been flooded with discussions about an emerging trend in the anime industry: the growing popularity of series centered on “older men” who become invincible protagonists, are reborn in new worlds and become extremely popular. This trend was reinforced with the recent announcement of anime adaptations of works such as “Akuyaku Reijou Tensei Ojisan”, “Katainaka no Ossan, Kensei ni Naru”and “Salaryman ga Isekai ni Ittara Shitennou ni Natta Hanashi”.

Comments on the forums offer a wide range of opinions on this phenomenon:

• «Older men can relate, which is why it has some popularity. But it is not a trend for older men.».
• «It seems like the audience is getting older.».
• «Older men are the ones who have money and actually spend it».
• «It's the time when older men are the main audience».
• «Only older men watch anime».

What is more, Many pointed out that the stories tend to center on older men who, after a drastic change in their lives, find themselves in situations where they become incredibly powerful. or popular, often surrounded by young female characters:

• «The old man from the country who is powerful and goes to the capital and has a harem of young women».
• «Although he is supposed to become a sacred swordsman, he is already called that from the beginning in the field».
• «The oldest man who recently failed. The anime “Kaiju No. 8” will air again in April 2024. The second teaser has been released, featuring Kafka played by Masaya Fukunishi».

An example of this trend is the announcement of the anime adaptation of “Neko ni Tensei shita Ojisan”, which will air from October. This manga, which became famous on Twitter, is about an ordinary man who reincarnates as a cat and is adopted by the company president Where he worked.

The trend has generated divided opinions among fans. Some see these animes as an opportunity for identification and escapism, while others consider that focus on older men is a reflection of the aging of the public and market interests:

• «The aging of otakus».
• «They have always been content with older men, but now they are blatantly inclined towards them».

While some fans welcome these changes, others express concern about the lack of diversity and repetitiveness of the plots. Nevertheless, Demand and commercial success suggest that this trend will continue in the near future.reflecting a notable shift in the demographics of anime audiences in Japan.

Source: Yaraon!