One Piece Isn't Attracting Young People in Japan
A recent survey conducted by Japanese research company 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 young people.
According to the poll, the anime "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" is positioned as the undisputed favorite, receiving an impressive 40% of the votes. In contrast, "One Piece," despite staying inside the top five, only scored half that percentage. The survey collected data from 600 children and parents of children from the first grade of primary school (approximately 5-6 years old) to the third grade of secondary school (approximately 13-14 years old). Both children and their parents, representing their children, were invited to share their favorite anime and manga, allowing them to select multiple options.
The results were as follows:
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (40.0%)
- Detective Conan (27.8%)
- Spy x Family (23.3%)
- One Piece (20.8%)
- Oshi no Ko (19.3%)
All of the anime and manga mentioned belong to the shonen demographic, which is usually aimed at boys and young men between about 12-18 years old, except for "Oshi no Ko," which is classified as seinen, intended for men over 18 years old.
One of the factors that could have influenced the high position of "Detective Conan" 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 anime, 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 an interesting insight into the current preferences of Generation Alpha in Japan and the values they find attractive in stories. All of the anime and manga mentioned stand out for their strong family ties and interpersonal relationships, and feature young protagonists (mainly in early or middle adolescence). 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 full of excitement and anticipation, though not always in the form of physical battles.
The animation and art style also plays an important role. "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" and "Oshi no Ko" have gained great popularity and praise thanks to their high animation quality and unique art style. Instead, "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.
Study limitations, such as the sample size of each age category, make it difficult to analyze whether the maturity ratings of the series are meaningful to the outcomes. "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 if this preference is applicable to the majority of Generation Alpha.
Alpha Generation Labs has announced that it will conduct the same survey by the end of 2024, which could provide deeper insight into the anime and manga preferences of younger viewers in Japan.
Source: CBR
