How Popular Is Anime in Nepal?
Anime is one of the most popular entertainment media out there, and it is no surprise that the popularity of Anime reached the country of Himalayas as well.
Anime has been trending here in Nepal for more than a decade. Despite the majority of Nepalese people might still see Anime just like the cartoons they used to watch back during their childhood days, Japanese Anime is a bit more different.
Nepal despite being not that huge of a population still boasts a high percentage of Anime fans compared to populated countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
There have always been Anime fans here in Nepal, in every nook and cranny of the country. However, if you have never heard of Anime, or are totally unfamiliar to this Japanese form of Media, then chances are, no one in your circle have been ever introduced to Anime.
While I have established already that, Anime has always been popular in Nepal, the COVID lockdown is another factor that increased the popularity of Anime and Manga here in Nepal by tenfold or more.
During the lockdown, many teenagers, college and university students were home all day without having to do anything. As a result of such massive free time, many were introduced to Anime.
And in today’s age of Social Media, it didn’t take long for everyone to know what their friends are watching and streaming. Hence, everyone started watching Anime.
Even before the Lockdown, there were already established groups in the Anime Community. One such group is the Otaku Jatra. It is the biggest Anime Convention in Nepal, and they conduct Anime Cons every year, boosting popularity as well as increasing the quality of Anime fans in Nepal.
During the Anime Cons and Convention, the groups like Otaku Jatra conduct various competitions that makes sure to hook all the Otaku and Anime fans that signed up for the event. Cosplay events, drawing competitions, voice acting, dance, and singing are always the highlights of these events.
Therefore, if you are an artists who has a keen interest in the Anime Manga Domain, then events conducted by Otaku Jatra might help you make your first breakthrough. They have a huge social media fan following, and your works will definitely be appreciated if they are showcased in events like these.
Now Speaking of the most popular Anime here in Nepal, I will mention the Top 5 that almost everyone who knows of Anime has heard of at least once.
- Dragon Ball
- One Piece
- Naruto
- Pokemon
- Attack on Titan
Dragon Ball, the manga written, and illustrated by the legendary manga artist, Akira Toriyama, may he Rest in Peace, is without any doubt the most popular Anime here in Nepal.
Dragon Ball’s popularity is unmatched all over the world, and it is no surprise that it is as equally popular here in Nepal as it is worldwide.
Another factor that led to the huge popularity of the Dragon Ball franchise in Nepal is because of Cable TV. Most of us when we were in our childhood, got to watch Dragon Ball in Cartoon Network. I didn’t even know it was an Anime back then, but I sure enjoyed Goku going Super Saiyan for the first time, and kicking Frieza’s ass.
