The world of fitness and anime may seem like two completely different worlds at first glance. However, it’s surprising how many people who are passionate about exercise also share a deep love for anime and call themselves “otaku.”
Why does this happen? In this article, we will explore some of the reasons behind this curious convergence of interests and how combining the two can be beneficial for physical and mental health.
Anime characters are often depicted with athletic and fit bodies, which can serve as a source of inspiration for those who are committed to a fitness lifestyle.
The physical appearance of characters like Goku from “Dragon Ball” or the fighters from “Baki” motivates many people to strive for a similar level of fitness and strength.
If you want to see good characters for me lately Toji’s physique from Jujutsu Kaisen is in a top 3. I even see a lot of TikToks from Personal Trainers explaining what a workout routine should look like to achieve his physique (maybe I’ll make that kind of content in the future.
Anime often portrays stories of characters facing challenges, battling seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and striving to achieve their goals.
This narrative of perseverance and discipline can resonate deeply with those who also strive to achieve their fitness goals. The dedication that the characters show in the anime can serve as a constant reminder of the importance of consistency and hard work in the gym.
Both the fitness world and otaku culture have active and passionate communities. Gyms are places where people gather to share their achievements, receive support and motivation from other fitness enthusiasts.
Similarly, the anime watching community or the famous “otaku” have a space to connect and share their love for various aspects of anime. This search for community may be a key factor that unites these two groups.
It should be noted that not everyone who watches anime goes to the gym or vice versa. There are also a number of subgenres within anime that are not to everyone’s taste.
Both exercise and anime are excellent ways to escape from daily stress. While exercise releases endorphins and improves mental well-being, anime offers an escape into imaginary worlds full of adventure and excitement. Many people turn to both as a way to release stress and find relief amidst the pressures of everyday life.
Michael B. Jordan: He is known to be an anime fan and publicly expressed his love for series such as “Naruto” and “Dragon Ball Z.” He even named his production company “Outlier Society Productions” in reference to his love for anime.
Zac Efron: Zac Efron shared on his social networks his interest in anime, especially “Death Note,” and has attended anime convention events.
Henry Cavill: The Superman actor is a big fan of the geek world in general and has expressed his love for video games and anime. He has mentioned that he enjoys “The Witcher,” which also has an anime adaptation.
Megan Fox: The “Transformers” actress talked about her interest in Japanese culture and her love for anime series such as “Dragon Ball Z”.
Keanu Reeves: Keanu Reeves is known to be a fan of anime and has expressed his love for “Cowboy Bebop” and “Neon Genesis Evangelion.”
LeanBeefPatty: He rose to fame on the social network Instagram by posting one of his most iconic photos cosplaying Inosuke from “Kimetsu No Yaiba” with a spectacular abdomen.
Cbum: Another who has mentioned in several of his videos that he is an anime lover and that he is hooked on “Jujutsu Kaisen” which he also mentioned while training with Urs Kalecinski who said he is also watching “One Piece Live action” from Netflix.
The connection between fitness and a passion for anime and otaku culture may seem unusual at first glance, but it has solid roots in inspiration, discipline, community and the need to escape stress.
Do you know any other gym celebrities who love anime or are otaku?
Bachelor of Sports Science
Personal Trainer - Fitmind Academy
