The Japanese animation wave in Australia
From convention queues to sold-out screenings, Japanese pop culture is now part of everyday Australia.(With support from SMASH!)
On a cool Friday night in Sydney, the queue outside an independent cinema spills onto the footpath. Teenagers in school blazers stand beside office workers still in their lanyards; a dad balances popcorn while his daughter adjusts a cardboard headband of her favourite character. This isn’t a fringe scene anymore. In 2025, anime, manga, gaming, and cosplay have shifted from niche hobby to shared culture—visible in theatres, on high streets, and across social feeds.
The change isn’t only about “more content”; it’s about more entry points. Streaming access has flattened discovery, theatrical releases have turned premieres into communal rituals, and large-scale fan events have given audiences places to belong. As one organiser puts it, SMASH! is built “for fans, by fans,” with volunteers curating the kind of inclusive, high-energy space they themselves would want to attend.
What Australians are watching right now
Across the country, a handful of titles have set the pace. Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer remain staples, while newer buzz magnets such as Sakamoto Days and Solo Leveling are driving talk across community groups, cosplay line-ups and artist tables. Meanwhile One Piece continues to bridge generations—its longevity shows up not just in viewing numbers, but in the sheer volume of fan art and costumes you’ll spot at events. “Films and series such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer have been very popular for the last few years,” notes a SMASH! organiser, “and fans are also enjoying new shows like Sakamoto Days, while Solo Leveling was very popular this year at SMASH!” In fact, Demon Slayer remains exceptionally popular in Australia—the latest film instalment is currently screening in cinemas and drawing strong crowds.
Games, concerts, and the JRPG moment
Anime’s rise is moving in lockstep with Japanese games. Persona has become a touchstone series here, and JRPGs more broadly—think The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy—command passionate communities. That passion has jumped from living rooms to concert halls: Final Fantasy orchestral performances have toured Australian cities, filling theatres with gamers, families, and curious newcomers who came for the music and left convinced that “game culture” is culture, full stop. “There is a strong following for JRPG titles such as The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy,” the organiser says—evident in the way audiences now celebrate game soundtracks like they do film scores.
From shy to show-your-colours
Since the pandemic, fans have grown more outspoken and more open about what they love—online and IRL. At conventions, you’ll see first-time cosplayers experimenting alongside award-winning armour-smiths; step outside and you’ll find photoshoots in public parks where passers-by cheerfully ask for a snap. The fashion crossover is part of the picture too: Lolita and edgier jirai-kei looks are more visible on Australian streets, not just at events. “People here tend to be very open about what they enjoy,” says the organiser. “We see a wide range of cosplays—from popular to niche characters—and the public often joins photos. Australia is known for being open and friendly, and in 2025 we’re seeing greater acceptance of anime culture.”
The community engine
Ask organisers what makes the local scene tick and they’ll talk about care. Many of the country’s biggest events are run by people who started as attendees, then volunteers, and now shape programming with a fan’s eye for detail. That ethos produces moments that feel both intimate and spectacular: think of the recent hololive concert, where the atmosphere turned electric before the first song—crowds singing, dancing and lighting up the room in synchronised waves. “If there was one moment I could show the world about anime fans in Australia, that would be it,” the organiser recalls. “SMASH! is an event created for fans by fans… A place where fans come together and celebrate their passion.”
Why it resonates here
Australian audiences respond to stories about resilience, community, and wonder—and anime delivers those themes with a visual language that’s instantly recognisable, yet endlessly adaptable. The pacing, the music, the expressive animation styles: they offer sensory clarity in an era of scrolls and fragments. Just as important is breadth. From family film nights to arthouse premieres, from sports highs to slice-of-life softness, there’s always an entry door that suits your mood and your household.
What’s next
Mainstream is not an end state; it’s a platform. Expect deeper integration across retail and lifestyle as demand for figures, manga, fashion tieins, and J-pop/K-pop crossovers continue to rise. “Anime and gaming are no longer niche hobbies in Australia— they’re increasingly entering mainstream entertainment through cinema releases, streaming platforms, and collaborations with global brands,” says the organiser. “We’re likely to see more official popups, themed cafés and tour stops from Japanese brands, with stronger industry presence as anime, gaming and J-pop culture weave into everyday entertainment and lifestyle.”
A starter watchlist for this moment
• Jump-in series: Jujutsu Kaisen; Demon Slayer; Sakamoto Days (new buzz); Solo Leveling (event favourite).
• Evergreen epic: One Piece—for parents and teens to share, and for artists to keep riffing on.
• Game-night bridge: Persona for stylish storytelling; The Legend of Zelda for intergenerational play; Final Fantasy for music that carries from console to concert hall.
Shots from the 2025 SMASH! event at ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre, photographed by Oscar Lupton and David Eammano
