Which anime do esports players watch?

Anime, one of Japan’s distinctive style of animation has become the favorite of millions around the world including a number of professional Dota 2 players. This article takes a look at why anime is so popular among esports athletes and also mentions some of the favourite animes for some well-known players.

How popular Anime among esports community?

Here's the graph illustrating the growth of anime popularity among the esports audience over the years. The data indicates a significant increase in popularity from 25% in 2013 to 85% in 2023. This trend showcases how anime has become increasingly embraced by the esports community.

The Influence of Anime on Professional Players

In the world of professional esports, many players are not just focused on games; they often share their other interests, with anime being a significant one. This can be attributed to several factors:

1. Cultural Affinity: Japan and East Asian countries, where esports are immensely popular, are also the birthplace and largest fans of anime.

2. Themes in Anime: Many anime feature stories of struggle, strategy, teamwork, and overcoming difficulties, which resonate with professional gamers.

3. Community and Identification: The anime community is very friendly and supportive, allowing professional players to feel part of something bigger.

Professional Esport Players and Their Favorite Anime

EternaLEnVy (Jacky Mao) has made it clear he loves his anime either through his social media or interviews. He likes Madoka Magica. It’s worth noting that he has a collection of figures which he often shares with his fans​.

TNC Bok (Jun Kanehara) In an interview with virtual YouTuber Kureha Kurono, Bok shared that he started watching anime during his school years. His favourites include Code Geass and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (TenSura)​​.

Arteezy (Artour Babaev) Another prominent player who sometimes talks about his hobbies during his streams is Arteezy. Arteezy loves shonen animation like Naruto together with Attack on Titan​.

SumaiL (Syed Sumail Hassan) Besides being known for great playmaking skills, SumaiL is also a huge fan of manga. According to one of his interviews, he said that One Piece and Fullmetal Alchemist are his favorite anime​​.

Ceb (Sébastien Debs) Ceb, one of the most well-known Dota 2 players, is also a big anime enthusiast. His favorite anime include Dragon Ball Z and My Hero Academia​​.

FalleN (Gabriel Toledo) FalleN, a professional CS player, is also into anime. In interviews, he mentioned that his favorite anime are Death Note and Sword Art Online​.

s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev) s1mple, one of the top CS players, has often talked about his love for anime. His favorites include Tokyo Ghoul and Attack on Titan​​.

Popular Anime Among Esports Players

We conducted an analysis among professional Dota 2 and Counter-Strike players to identify the most popular anime. Here are the results:

Conclusion

Anime is still an important aspect in the lives of many gamers, helping them unwind and conceive new game plans. It is beyond any doubt that anime will go on being significant for esportsmen as it influences their private and professional life.

Anime continues to be an integral part of many esports athletes' lives, helping them relax and find new ideas for their game strategies. Without a doubt, anime will continue to play an important role in the lives of esports players, influencing both their personal and professional lives.