With anime reaching a wider audience than ever before, it comes as a delightful surprise to discover that several celebrities are secretly anime fans. This not only breaks stereotypes about the target audience of anime but also allows fans to connect with public figures they already admire on a personal level. The popularity and cultural significance of anime have grown tremendously, and members of the acting community are keen to highlight this fact. While some celebrities openly express their love for the medium by sharing anime-related content on their social media platforms and even cosplaying as their favorite characters, others casually mention their fondness for anime in passing during interviews. Hopefully, we can expect to see more actors who are fans of anime coming forward in the near future.
12 John Cena
With his appearance resembling a protagonist from a shonen manga, professional wrestler and star of Peacemaker, John Cena's fondness for anime aligns perfectly with his image. His love for this form of entertainment began in the 1990s when he was introduced to Dragon Ball Z.
For fans who enjoy humorous internet content, there is an abundance of GIFs featuring Cena transforming into Super Saiyan mode during his wrestling matches. Recently, Cena mentioned Bleach, My Hero Academia, and One Piece as some of his all-time favorite anime series. He views anime as a valuable means of alleviating the stress and anxiety that come with his demanding career.
11 Christian Bale
After watching Spirited Away, the actor from Batman expressed his willingness to take on any role in the 2004 movie Howl's Moving Castle solely based on that viewing experience. Not long after, Bale was chosen to portray the character of Howl himself, utilizing his distinctive "Batman voice" for the renowned English dub performance.
For many, it is still difficult to comprehend how Bale could deliver a performance in a movie like American Psycho and then effortlessly transition to portraying a beloved bishounen hero in an anime like Howl. Yet, this showcases the remarkable talent of good acting. In addition to being an ardent fan of Miyazaki, Bale also holds a strong admiration for the action-packed political anime film Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade.
10 Taika Waititi
Following the immense success of Our Flag Means Death, it comes as no shock that Taika Waititi, the accomplished actor and director, was recently spotted donning a sweatshirt adorned with imagery from One Piece, another captivating pirate-themed series. In 2017, Waititi had made public his intentions to create a live-action adaptation of the renowned 1988 film Akira. However, regrettably, he departed from the project in 2021.
It is hardly surprising that Waititi possesses an affinity for the genre; his brilliantly vibrant escapades in the past two Thor movies exude a reminiscent charm of Ghibli films or even Dorohedoro. Additionally, there exist delightful parallels between his series What We Do in the Shadows and the critically underrated anime The Vampire Dies in No Time.
9 Jamie Lee Curtis
Everything Everywhere All At Once actor, Jamie Lee Curtis, is a huge fan of One Piece. In fact, she went as far as pitching herself to play the character Kureha in a potential live-action adaptation, even creating a fan poster. Curtis even took the opportunity to share her love for anime at the Oscars, reaching an audience of over 18 million viewers.
Not only does Curtis enjoy One Piece, but she also expresses admiration for English voice actor Brina Palencia. Palencia has voiced characters such as Ciel in Black Butler and Tony Tony Chopper in Curtis' beloved pirate-themed franchise. For those interested in Curtis' animation work, she lends her voice to the character Ryoko in Miyazaki's From Up on Poppy Hill, which is definitely worth checking out.
8 Robin Williams
Robin Williams, who unfortunately passed away in 2014, possessed an unwavering passion for anime that resonated as strongly as his comedic performances. Despite his notable roles in films such as "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Good Will Hunting," Williams displayed an immense love for sci-fi anime, embracing series like "Neon Genesis Evangelion" and "Ghost in the Shell."
Moreover, Williams cultivated an impressive assortment of anime figurines, leading his daughter, Zelda, to affectionately label him a "figurine hoarder." While his absence is deeply felt, it brings solace to envision Williams finding solace and delight in anime, providing a source of joy and escapism throughout his life.
7 Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson, known for his voice work in Afro Samurai, is a big fan of anime and its "adult" counterpart. In addition to Afro Samurai, he also voiced the character Zog in the anime-inspired film Astro Boy in 2009. Considering his extensive portfolio, it's highly probable that Jackson will continue to be involved in more anime projects in the future.
6 Zac Efron
Zac Efron, known for his roles in High School Musical and Dirty Grandpa, is a devoted fan of Death Note. In fact, he actively worked towards a live-action adaptation in 2009, although he was not involved in the eventual 2017 remake. On the internet, there are numerous memes drawing comparisons between Efron's appearance in the early-2000s, particularly his haircut, and that of Light Yagami from Death Note, highlighting an astonishing resemblance. Additionally, Efron has publicly expressed his fondness for the shonen series Bleach and the popular street racing franchise Initial D.
5 Ariana Grande
In 2018, singer and actress Ariana Grande surprised fans by unveiling her new tattoo of Chihiro from the iconic anime film Spirited Away. Inspired by Chihiro's personal growth in the movie, Grande saw parallels between the character's transformation and her own journey. Despite her princess-like image, Grande has demonstrated her strength and determination, proving herself to be a formidable force in the industry. Additionally, Grande added another tattoo to her collection in 2019, this time featuring Eevee from Pokémon. Her love for the franchise even led her to spend a whopping 15 hours playing Pokémon Go during her downtime.
4 Megan Fox
Transformers and Jennifer's Body actress, Megan Fox, garnered a devoted fan base, and her revelation of being an anime enthusiast delighted them even more. During an interview, Fox expressed her strong desire to witness a live-action version of the beloved Sailor Moon series. Though she did not mention her involvement in the potential project, many deem her appearance and demeanor as an ideal fit for the role of Sailor Mars. Additionally, Fox praised Adult Swim's anime offerings, particularly Cowboy Bebop and Inuyasha, as gateways that introduced her to the captivating world of anime.
3 Keanu Reeves
2 Michael B. Jordan
Despite his deep admiration for anime, Keanu Reeves, the renowned actor of the John Wick series, expressed his desire to portray Spike Spiegel in a live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop in America. Regrettably, due to the exorbitant estimated cost of approximately "half a billion dollars," the project was ultimately abandoned.
Michael B. Jordan not only impressed critics with his exceptional portrayal in Black Panther, but he also revealed his passionate love for anime. Fans never fail to mention his 73 Questions interview with Vogue, which serves as undeniable evidence. During the interview, he eloquently pointed to Tokyo, Japan on a map when asked about his dream travel destination, expressing his deep fascination and declaring that anime is simply the best.
It was a significant victory for fan communities in a medium that has long faced social prejudice. Jordan even expressed that anime greatly influenced the boxing matches in Creed 3, and according to critics, it is evident in the most exceptional manner.
1 Megan Thee Stallion
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Megan Thee Stallion, the renowned rapper and She-Hulk actress, is an ardent anime enthusiast known for her vocal support of the genre. In her captivating Instagram photo dumps, amidst a plethora of captivating selfies and adorable snapshots of her beloved pets, she consistently showcases her profound adoration for anime by featuring at least one image of a cherished anime character. Furthermore, Megan has not hesitated to immerse herself in the world of cosplay, delighting fans with her stunning portrayals of beloved anime characters such as Todoroki and Mirko from the popular series My Hero Academia. Evidencing her profound connection to the world of anime, Megan has masterfully integrated anime references into her songs. Notably, she cleverly alludes to the iconic Naruto series in "Girls in the Hood" and references the legendary Dragon Ball Z in her electrifying track "Go Crazy."
Anime has evolved from being a niche medium to a mainstream phenomenon. Even celebrities have embraced this trend, highlighting that anime has surpassed its traditional association with nerd culture. The reason behind this widespread acceptance lies in the captivating storytelling found at the core of many anime. It will be fascinating to observe the preferences of anime enthusiasts in the coming years as this medium continues to gain popularity. Although action-oriented anime seems to be the current trend, there is a possibility that actors may lend their support to more romantic or slice-of-life series in the future. In any case, actors who hold a hidden love for anime are the perfect ambassadors for this thriving industry.
