Once a derogatory term for obsessive fans, "Otaku" has been re-appropriated globally to describe passionate enthusiasts of anime, manga, and technology, driving a massive conventions-and-merchandise economy.
The Japanese entertainment industry has had a significant impact on global culture, influencing:
The industry was famously slow to adopt streaming, clinging to physical CDs and DVDs. It is now rapidly pivoting to global platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll.
Japanese entertainment has a long and storied history, dating back to the Edo period (1603-1867), when traditional forms of theater, such as Kabuki and Noh, emerged. These classical art forms continue to influence contemporary Japanese entertainment, with many modern artists incorporating traditional elements into their work.
