A recent survey conducted by Japanese research
firm α (Alpha) Generation Labs has revealed the anime and
manga preferred by Generation Alpha, i.e. those born between 2010 and
2024. The results of this survey have generated great interest,
highlighting entertainment consumption trends among the youngest.
According to the survey, the anime “ Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no
Yaiba ” positioned itself as the undisputed favorite, receiving an
impressive 40% of the votes . In contrast, “ One Piece ,” despite
staying within the top five, only garnered half of that percentage. The survey
collected data from 600 children and parents of children from
the first grade of elementary school (approximately 5-6 years old) to the third
grade of middle school (approximately 13-14 years old). Both children
and their parents, representing their children, were invited to share their
favorite anime and manga, allowing for multiple choices to be selected.
The results were the following:
1.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
(40.0%)
2.
Detective Conan (27.8%)
3.
Spy x Family (23.3%)
4.
One Piece (20.8%)
5.
Oshi no Ko (19.3%)
All of the anime and manga mentioned fall into
the shonen demographic , which is generally aimed at boys and
young men between roughly 12-18 years old, except for “Oshi no Ko,”
which is classified as seinen , aimed at men over 18 years old.
One of the factors that may have influenced “ Detective
Conan ”’s high ranking is the release of its hit film “ The
Million-Dollar Pentagram ” in mid-April 2024, which has become the
highest-grossing film of the year in Japan. This has surely increased its
popularity among young viewers.
Of the aforementioned animes, both “ Demon
Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ” and “ One Piece ” are
currently releasing new episodes. As for the mangas, all titles continue to
publish new chapters, with the exception of “ Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no
Yaiba ,” whose original manga concluded in 2020.
The survey, while limited in its sample
size, offers interesting insight into the current preferences of Generation
Alpha in Japan and the values they find appealing in stories. All
of the anime and manga mentioned are notable for their strong family ties and
interpersonal relationships, and feature young protagonists (mostly in their
early to middle teens). While “ One Piece ,” “ Demon
Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ,” and “ SPY x FAMILY ” tend
toward action and adventure, “ Oshi no Ko ” and “ Detective
Conan ” lean more toward mystery and thriller. This suggests that
Generation Alpha has a preference for content filled with excitement and
anticipation, though not always in the form of physical battles.
Animation and art style also play a major role.
“ Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ” and “ Oshi no Ko ”
have gained widespread popularity and praise thanks to their high animation
quality and unique art style. In contrast, “ Detective Conan ,”
“ One Piece ,” and “ SPY x FAMILY ” feature
more traditional styles, though it’s important to note that “ One Piece ”
and “ Detective Conan ” are significantly older than the other
series listed.
Limitations of the study, such as the sample size of
each age category, make it difficult to analyze whether the series’ maturity
ratings are significant to the results. “ Oshi no Ko ” and
“ Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ” explore more mature themes
than “ SPY x FAMILY ” and “ Detective Conan ,”
but without specific data on age distribution, it’s difficult to determine
whether this preference is applicable to the majority of Generation Alpha.
Alpha Generation Labs has announced that it will
conduct the same survey in late 2024, which could provide deeper insight into
the anime and manga preferences of younger viewers in Japan.
Source: PressRelease
