Anime is often associated with superhuman martial artists, magical schoolgirls, and adorable yet powerful robots that hold deep cultural significance in Japan. However, beyond its traditional themes, anime has evolved into a global phenomenon, influencing various aspects of entertainment, art, and even fashion. Covering a vast range of topics, anime finds relevance in everyday life, making it a powerful source of inspiration in the real world.
As anime’s popularity continues to soar, the fashion industry has eagerly embraced its influence, leading to some of the most exciting collaborations between luxury brands and iconic anime franchises. Blending high fashion with beloved anime aesthetics, here are five times anime culture made a major impact on the fashion world.
The legendary manga and anime series Sailor Moon is famous for its fierce, stylish heroines who battle evil while sporting striking, colourful boots. To celebrate the series’ 30th anniversary, luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo launched an exclusive collection inspired by Sailor Moon’s characters and their signature accessories. Featuring dazzling boots, heels, and statement pieces, the collection quickly became a trendsetter and sold out almost instantly, proving just how influential anime aesthetics can be in the world of high fashion.
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Dior’s collaboration with Spy x Family, one of the most popular anime series in recent years, brought Tatsuya Endo’s illustrations to life through luxury fashion. The partnership, established in 2021, resulted in a special spring collection featuring makeup products, handbags, and clothing items inspired by the series’ elegant yet action-packed aesthetic. Many pieces were designed around the character Yor Forger, whose sophisticated and stylish looks effortlessly aligned with Dior’s timeless appeal.
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Spanish luxury brand Loewe’s collaboration with Studio Ghibli was a dream come true for anime and fashion enthusiasts alike. The partnership celebrated the magic of Ghibli’s beloved films, including Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, and My Neighbour Totoro. The collection featured intricately designed handbags, apparel, accessories, and even timepieces that beautifully captured the essence of these cinematic masterpieces. In 2022, the demand for Spirited Away’s collection was so overwhelming that the brand’s website crashed upon release, showcasing the sheer power of anime fandom in the fashion space.
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In a crossover between streetwear and anime, Supreme collaborated with Japanese artist Katsuhiro Otomo to create a collection inspired by Akira, the groundbreaking 1982 manga and anime film. As one of the first anime series to gain massive recognition in the West, Akira boasts a dedicated fan base, making it the perfect muse for Supreme’s edgy and rebellious aesthetic. The collection included jackets, long-sleeve tops, soccer jerseys, hoodies, t-shirts, and five-panel hats, all adorned with Akira’s striking cyberpunk imagery.
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably seen the viral Astro Boy boots that took the internet by storm. The Brooklyn-based art collective and fashion brand MSCHF paid homage to Osamu Tezuka’s classic character by creating oversized, comically large red boots inspired by the ones worn by Astro Boy’s lead protagonist, Atom. The quirky, futuristic footwear became an instant sensation, embraced by both anime fans and high-fashion enthusiasts alike.
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