Movies

5 Actors You Didn't Know Were Anime Fans

written by Benjamin Patel

reviewed by Louise Everitt

December 2, 2023 11:00 am

5 Actors You Didn't Know Were Anime Fans — Image credit: globallookpress, Legion-Media, Warner Bros, Toho

Yes, Hollywood icons can be big fans of Japanese animation.

Anime has been a global phenomenon for quite some time, and its influence has reached even the glitziest corners of Hollywood. You might be surprised to find out that some of your favorite actors actually have a special place in their hearts for anime.

Zac Efron

Zac Efron, the charming star of High School Musical, is not just known for catchy songs and dance moves. He is actually a big fan of anime, particularly Death Note.

Back in 2009, he even tried to bring a live-action version of it to life. Though he didn't end up in the 2017 remake, his enthusiasm for the genre is clear. Efron's anime love doesn't stop there; he's also a fan of Bleach and the thrilling racing series Initial D.

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Christian Bale

Christian Bale, known for his intense roles, was so inspired by Hayao Miyazaki ’s Spirited Away that he eagerly joined the English dub of Howl's Moving Castle as the main character, Howl.

Now, 19 years after Howl's Moving Castle, Bale is set to voice a character in Hayao Miyazaki’s upcoming The Boy and the Heron.

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Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan is outspoken about his love for anime, particularly Naruto. This passion even led him to launch a Naruto-inspired collection with Coach.

Jordan's anime influences don't end there; he produced and starred in gen:LOCK and even infused anime elements into his directorial debut in Creed III, drawing inspiration from Naruto for a dramatic boxing scene.

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Robin Williams

The late Robin Williams, a comedic genius, was also a dedicated anime fan. He loved titles like Evangelion, Akira, Cowboy Bebop, and Ghost in the Shell, admiring the genre's unique storytelling and depth. Williams even voiced a character in the English dub of Howl's Moving Castle.

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Samuel L. Jackson

While Samuel L. Jackson is known for voicing characters in Afro Samurai, his anime fandom goes deeper. Jackson has confessed to enjoying not only anime but also its more mature variations.

He also lent his voice to the character Zog in Astro Boy, and given his prolific career, we might see him in more anime roles soon.

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