Anime and Manga’s Rising Cultural Impact in Latin America Highlighted by Gachiakuta's Success
Anime and manga's cultural influence is growing in Latin America, highlighted by Crunchyroll's hit series Gachiakuta's success and deep fan connection.
- • Anime and manga have become culturally significant worldwide, especially in Latin America.
- • Crunchyroll leads the Asian content market and connects deeply with the anime community.
- • Gachiakuta became the most watched anime on Crunchyroll in summer 2025.
- • Gachiakuta’s success is attributed to its strong story, faithful adaptation, and cultural resonance.
- • The series won the Global Special Prize at the Next Manga Awards in 2022.
Key details
Anime and manga have become a significant part of global entertainment, with Latin America emerging as a key region embracing their cultural influence. The genre has evolved from early 20th-century Japanese manga to globally celebrated titles such as Dragon Ball, Naruto, and Pokémon, and more recently Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and My Hero Academia. This growth reflects anime’s transgenerational appeal and broad cultural resonance.
Crunchyroll, a major Asian content streaming platform, plays a pivotal role in this landscape. Raúl Gonzalez Bernal, Vice President of Marketing at Crunchyroll, noted that anime serves as a form of identification for fans and emphasized the platform’s commitment to understanding and connecting with the anime community.
A standout example of anime’s popularity in Latin America is "Gachiakuta," the most viewed anime on Crunchyroll during summer 2025. The story follows Rudo, a marginalized boy wrongly accused of murder who discovers the power to animate inanimate objects. Producers Isao Tagai and Hirotsugu Ogo highlighted that the anime’s unexpected success stemmed from its engaging plot and faithful adaptation from the original manga by Kei Urana. The series won the Global Special Prize at the Next Manga Awards in 2022 and garnered acclaim for its unique art style and emotional depth, connecting strongly with audiences and reflecting values shared across Latin American cultures.
This cultural phenomenon underscores the growing global recognition of anime and manga, marking them not only as entertainment but as vital elements of cultural expression in Latin America.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
