The expansion of anime in America and its eye-catching style has moved it from being an underground niche subculture to a genre that has far-reaching influence and appeal. As it begins to be accepted in mainstream US culture, who are the new American anime fans that are spurring its growth?

As Gen Zers venture into the workforce in a post-pandemic world, it's clear they're riddled with stress and burnout. Within this context, how has elusive YouTube creator Lofi Girl risen to the top and captured an audience who are hungry for fresh ways to engage with media?

McDonald's Grimace-themed milkshake has made waves online, with the #grimaceshake trend on TikTok transforming the happy purple character into something a little darker. Adopting a product into fan storytelling can effectively generate hype, whether or not it matches the brand's intentions.

McDonald's is looking to tap into the ever-growing anime audience by featuring its seasonal Chicken Tatsuta in One Piece episodes. By tying into the existing lore of an imaginary world, it's demonstrating how brands can immerse themselves in fandoms to build real-world appeal.