From shōnen to seinen to Studio Ghibli: attraction to anime and manga, and their relation to mental health and social outcomes

Abstract Aim Interest in anime and manga can be very diverse (from action-packed stories to romantic tales to works by the famous Studio Ghibli). Our aim was to examine the association of interest in manga and anime (and specifically certain genres) with mental health, social disconnectedness, and subjective well-being outcomes. Subject and methods We used data from a sample of the general adult population in Germany ( N = 2591, mean age 47 years, 50.6% female). Outcomes were quantified using psychometrically sound tools (e.g., Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] or Satisfaction with Life Scale [SWLS]). General interest in manga and anime and also interest in certain genres (among those who were interested) served as key independent variables. Results A general interest in manga and anime was consistently associated with poor mental health and social disconnectedness (compared with the absence of such interest), whereas it was generally not associated with subjective well-being outcomes. Among those who were interested, while most interest in specific manga genres was only partly or not significantly associated with the outcomes, interest in manga from Studio Ghibli was associated with better mental health and less social withdrawal. Moreover, an interest in anime from Studio Ghibli was associated with several favorable outcomes (better mental health, social connectedness, and higher ikigai levels). Conclusion While a general interest in anime and manga was consistently associated with poorer mental health and social disconnectedness, certain genres were associated with favorable outcomes among those who were interested in them. Further differentiated research is needed to better understand the psychosocial outcomes of anime and manga passion.