Celebs You Didn’t Know Were Obsessed With Competitive Anime

Anime has grown from a special interest for a few people into a worldwide trend that’s capturing the attention of major celebrities and athletes. Many stars are inspired by the exciting challenges and characters in popular anime series, often showing their appreciation through their style and creative work. You can see the impact of Japanese animation in all sorts of fields, from sports to Hollywood.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan is a big fan of Japanese anime, especially action-packed series that feature characters striving to improve themselves. He’s talked about how watching ‘Naruto’ taught him the importance of perseverance, which helped him throughout his career as an actor. He’s even used fighting styles from his favorite anime characters when preparing for roles in movies. Jordan’s passion for anime extends to fashion, as he’s partnered with a clothing brand to create a line inspired by the look of Japanese animation. This demonstrates the significant impact animated stories are having on modern filmmaking.

Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion, the Grammy-winning rapper, is a big fan of action-packed anime like ‘My Hero Academia’. She often shows her love for these shows through her fashion and makeup, recreating looks inspired by strong, fighting characters. She’s even dressed up as these characters for professional photoshoots! Megan frequently shares her enthusiasm for the competitive spirit and special powers of her favorite anime heroes on social media. This has made her a well-known and respected figure among anime fans worldwide.

Israel Adesanya

UFC champion Israel Adesanya is well-known for incorporating elements from anime into his fighting career. Before his matches, he often uses hand gestures from the anime series ‘Naruto’ to help him focus and feel energized, like the characters he admires. He also has tattoos of famous scenes and characters from shows like ‘Death Note’ and ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’. Adesanya believes the strong-willed characters in these animated series have helped him stay mentally tough during important championship fights. This combination of fighting skill and anime fandom has made him incredibly popular with fans of both.

John Boyega

John Boyega is a big fan of action-packed shows like ‘Attack on Titan’ and ‘Naruto’. He loves discussing the latest episodes and characters with fans online. Boyega has said that these kinds of competitive stories are thrilling and give him creative ideas. He’d even be interested in being part of a live-action version of a popular action series if he got the chance. This genuine passion for the genre makes him popular with fans of Japanese animation.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg has repeatedly shown his love for anime online and through creative projects. He’s shared fan-made art and memes putting him into popular anime like ‘Naruto’ and ‘Dragon Ball Z,’ and even voiced a character in an animated project inspired by Japanese animation. Many fans are surprised by this interest, given his background in West Coast hip hop, but it highlights how widely appealing and visually exciting anime has become.

Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey, a former UFC champion and wrestler, has always been a big fan of anime like ‘Dragon Ball Z’ and ‘Pokémon’. She once proudly wore a shirt with a character from one of these shows at a public event. Rousey has talked about how watching the training scenes and battles in anime inspired her as an athlete. She even lent her voice to a fighting game that was influenced by anime. By openly sharing her love for these shows, she’s helped make it more common for people in combat sports to enjoy animation.

Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert, a well-known NBA center, is a big fan of the anime and manga series ‘One Piece’. He even had a custom pair of basketball shoes made, showcasing the show’s characters battling it out. Gobert connects with the series’ emphasis on teamwork and never giving up, and he frequently shares his enthusiasm for new releases with his fans online. His love for ‘One Piece’ demonstrates how popular figures around the world can connect with Japanese action stories.

Mercedes Varnado

As a huge wrestling and anime fan, I’ve always loved how Sasha Banks – now Mercedes Moné – brings Sailor Moon into her work. It’s not just a costume thing, though. She’s worn amazing outfits inspired by the series during some of her biggest moments, and she’s talked about how much Sailor Moon meant to her growing up. For her, those characters represent strength and empowerment, which is awesome to see in the often-intense world of wrestling. It’s really cool how she’s become a favorite in both the wrestling world and the anime community because of it – she’s definitely one of a kind!

Jade Cargill

Wrestler Jade Cargill is a big fan of ‘Dragon Ball Z’ and often incorporates elements from the show into her look and wrestling gear. She aims to embody the strength and power of characters like Android 18 and Cheelai, using her outfits and hairstyles to create a sense of invincibility in the ring. Fans love how she brings the exciting, energetic style of the anime to her matches.

Usain Bolt

Throughout his incredible career, record-breaking sprinter Usain Bolt has frequently shown his appreciation for the anime series ‘Naruto’. He’s well-known for imitating the show’s signature running pose and hand signs. As a professional athlete, Bolt has said he’s captivated by the speed and skill of the characters. These fun references to ‘Naruto’ have made him even more popular with fans worldwide, who love seeing such a famous athlete embrace anime. This creates a unique connection between the world’s fastest man and the world of animated heroes.

Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean, the popular musician, frequently references shows like ‘Dragon Ball Z’ in his lyrics. He uses the strong imagery and powers of characters from these series to express deep feelings and ideas in his songs. Fans have also noticed him wearing clothes with subtle references to his favorite competitive shows, and they love to analyze his work for these hidden connections to Japanese animation. This demonstrates how anime can be a powerful source of inspiration for modern music artists.

Drake

Drake, the famous rapper, has shown off his love for anime, including series like ‘Naruto’. He’s even created custom jewelry inspired by popular anime characters and often uses themes from these shows in his social media posts, like ideas about loyalty and competition. While Drake is best known as a musician and businessman, his interest in anime is part of a growing trend among celebrities. By publicly enjoying the genre, he’s helping to bring more attention to anime and its adult fanbase.

Lil Uzi Vert

Lil Uzi Vert is famous for his impressive collection of cars and jewelry, which are heavily influenced by anime shows like ‘One Piece’ and ‘Naruto’. He often customizes his expensive cars with bright, colorful designs based on characters and scenes from these series. Uzi also incorporates anime-inspired visuals and sounds into his music videos and concerts. He frequently talks about his love for these shows and says the characters have greatly impacted his unique style. Because he openly celebrates his fandom, he’s become a popular figure among younger anime fans.

Cole Sprouse

Cole Sprouse has loved ‘Dragon Ball Z’ since he was a kid, and he’s still a big fan. He often talks about watching the show with his brother and trying to copy the characters’ moves. He appreciates the show’s nostalgic feel and how it’s influenced storytelling in pop culture today. Sprouse frequently joins conversations about the show’s lasting impact and how it resonated with a whole generation, demonstrating that the excitement of battle anime can stay with viewers for a lifetime.

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe is drawn to anime series like ‘Monster’ and ‘Initial D’ that are psychologically complex and feature intense competition. He’s impressed by the clever storylines and the high-pressure rivalries they portray. He particularly appreciates the unique and often bolder storytelling found in Japanese animation compared to Western shows, noting how these series delve into the human mind through challenging competitions and difficult moral choices. His interest demonstrates the wide variety of genres and compelling narratives available within anime.

Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne, the famous pop punk singer, is a big fan of the anime series ‘One Piece’ and even created a song for one of its movies. She loves the show’s adventurous spirit and the characters’ determination to achieve their goals. Her involvement was a huge excitement for fans of both her music and Japanese animation, and it helped ‘One Piece’ reach a new audience of music lovers worldwide.

Zac Efron

Zac Efron shared that he enjoys the anime series ‘Death Note’, praising its clever and intense psychological battles between the main characters. He particularly liked the show’s dark themes and strategic plot. While most people know him from musicals and comedies, his appreciation for this type of show revealed a different, more thoughtful side of his personality, which surprised many of his fans.

Austin Watson

Xavier Woods, a professional wrestler, is a big fan of anime and often shares his love for it on his gaming channel. He regularly talks about the exciting action and interesting characters in shows like ‘Dragon Ball Z’ and ‘Golden Boy’. Woods has even included anime nods in his wrestling team’s entrances and costumes during WWE events. He believes anime brings together a wide range of fans who enjoy both gaming and animation, and his passion has helped create a welcoming community for these fans within professional wrestling.

Ricochet

Ricochet, a well-known wrestler, frequently draws inspiration from the anime ‘Dragon Ball Z’. He’s designed his wrestling attire after characters from the show and incorporates their iconic moves into his performances. He’s captivated by the series’ portrayal of intense power and speed in competition. Ricochet often shares his training routines, usually accompanied by music from ‘Dragon Ball Z’, and his fans love how he brings the spirit of a classic anime hero to his matches.

Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani, the famous baseball player, is a fan of sports anime, especially shows like ‘Slam Dunk’. He connects with the characters’ determination to improve and their competitive spirit, seeing parallels to his own baseball career. Ohtani has shown his appreciation for anime by buying related merchandise and praising the artists who create it. He believes the characters’ dedication mirrors the intense effort needed to become a top athlete. This highlights how Japanese culture inspires even its most famous stars around the world.

Gennady Golovkin

Boxing superstar Gennady Golovkin has become associated with the anime series ‘Dragon Ball Z’ because fans see a connection between his fighting style and the show’s characters. Golovkin himself has said he appreciates the series’ focus on strength and striving to be the best. Many fans point to his aggressive, powerful performances in the ring as being similar to the battles in ‘Dragon Ball Z’. He’s even leaned into the comparison, appearing in promotional content with anime-inspired artwork. This shows how widely appreciated the idea of intense competition is, both in boxing and in battle-focused animation like ‘Dragon Ball Z’.

Claressa Shields

Claressa Shields, a highly accomplished boxing champion, has often talked about her appreciation for the anime series ‘Naruto’ online. She’s particularly inspired by the story of a character who battles self-doubt to achieve greatness, seeing a parallel to her own athletic journey. Shields connects with the show’s focus on competition and the pressure to succeed in a challenging world. She frequently shares quotes and ideas from ‘Naruto’ to encourage her fans and express her mental preparation before fights, demonstrating how relatable and impactful the themes of shonen anime can be.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA’s MVP, often talks about his love for ‘Dragon Ball Z’. He’s shared how the show was a big part of his childhood and helped shape his drive to succeed. Giannis sees the characters as examples of what’s possible with dedication and hard work. He’s even been spotted wearing ‘Dragon Ball Z’ gear while traveling to games, and fans often compare his journey to that of a determined hero in the series.

Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka, the famous tennis player, loves anime like ‘Naruto’ and ‘Sailor Moon’. She’s talked about how these shows helped her relax and motivated her while she was traveling and competing as a pro athlete. She’s even worked on projects featuring anime-style art. Osaka enjoys the exciting competition and heartfelt stories found in her favorite Japanese series. Because she’s a world-famous athlete, she’s also helped to increase the popularity and recognition of anime fans around the globe.

Quavo

Quavo, the rapper, is a big fan of anime, and it shows in his work. He frequently features characters from popular anime series in his high-end fashion and music videos. He’s drawn to how anime portrays strength and achievement through challenging competitions and special skills, and he uses these ideas to shape his own image and stay current with today’s trends. This interest highlights the increasing impact of Japanese animation on hip hop culture.

Vic Mensa

Vic Mensa, the musician, is a big fan of shows like ‘Baki’ that center around tough physical challenges and martial arts. He’s talked about how much he enjoys the detailed animation and the way these series explore the boundaries of human strength. Mensa often finds inspiration in the determined and realistic characters, and has even used imagery from these shows in his own music and performances. His appreciation for this type of content highlights how diverse and engaging the world of animation can be.

Soulja Boy

Soulja Boy was a pioneer in openly embracing anime, featuring it prominently in his music and online persona. He’s released songs referencing classics like ‘Dragon Ball Z,’ and frequently uses anime imagery to showcase his success and competitive spirit in the music world. He continues to connect with fans by sharing his love for anime through social media and gaming. By being an early adopter, he helped create space for other artists to express their own anime fandoms.

Jaden Smith

Jaden Smith is a big fan of anime and even created his own show, ‘Neo Yokio,’ as a tribute to it. He loves the look and exciting stories of classic anime series, and often uses these influences in his music and fashion, giving him a distinctive, futuristic style. Smith sees anime as a strong way to explore big ideas and different cultures in a visually interesting way. Through his work, he’s helped connect anime with a wider audience in Western pop culture.

Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, is a big fan of ‘Dragon Ball Z’. He’s shown his love for the show by wearing custom cleats featuring its characters and symbols. Mahomes connects with the series’ themes of strong leadership and overcoming challenges, and he frequently shares his passion for ‘Dragon Ball Z’ with both his team and fans. This demonstrates how even major American athletes can be inspired by Japanese anime.

Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson, the NBA star, often talks about how much he enjoys different TV series, especially the competitive spirit they show. He’s been spotted with fan gear and says these shows are a great way to pass the time on the road. Thompson particularly likes how they portray teamwork and the hard work it takes to succeed. He connects with the characters’ dedication, seeing it as something anyone striving for a goal can understand. This makes him one of many top basketball players who are fans of Japanese animation.

Anthony Edwards

NBA player Anthony Edwards is a big fan of ‘Dragon Ball Z’ and its strong characters. He often compares his own drive to win and his aggressive playing style to the show’s intense battles and the way the heroes constantly improve. Edwards enjoys the show for entertainment and because it lets him connect with other fans. With his energy and skill, he embodies the spirit of a classic anime hero.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant, the famous basketball player, has long been a fan of shows like ‘Dragon Ball Z’ and other competitive anime. He’s often spotted wearing merchandise and has talked about the series online. Durant enjoys how these shows highlight individual skill and intense competition, seeing them as a significant part of today’s culture. His consistent, low-key support helps keep anime popular with other athletes.

2026-02-07 18:54