Anime Against Depression in Japan

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Exploring Anime-Based Therapy for Japanese Youth’s Mental Health

The University of Yokohama and Dai Nippon Printing Co. have partnered on a project to explore the use of anime in treating depression among Japanese youth. Italian psychiatrist Francesco Panto’s experience of finding solace in anime inspired the project, which aims to demonstrate anime’s effectiveness in mental health treatment. Panto believes the realistic portrayal of internal struggles and personal suffering in Japanese animation can alter one’s outlook on life. He developed anime therapy in 2025, drawing on his childhood experience of using anime to cope with his own emotional challenges. The study has recruited approximately 20 participants between the ages of 18 and 29. Psychiatrists and psychologists will conduct test sessions, adopting anime character attire and mimicking anime dialogue, incorporating personal traits into six distinct anime personality types. Each patient will select their preferred anime expert character for two weekly sessions over four weeks.

Anime-Inspired Therapy for Japan’s Youth Mental Health Revolution

Panto, who is licensed in both Italy and Japan, introduced anime therapy because he recognized that anime characters can make discussing sensitive issues easier, encouraging people to open up about their concerns. He notes that traditional mental health approaches can have drawbacks, as counselors are typically restricted from sharing their own experiences, which can hinder the formation of genuine relationships with clients. Furthermore, advice from older authority figures may not resonate with younger individuals. Given that traditional counseling costs around 10,000 yen per hour, anime therapy represents a potentially more accessible option. It combines an appreciation for pop culture with professional mental health support by using narratives from popular Japanese anime, games, and manga to improve mental well-being. The study aims to determine the safety and feasibility of having mental health professionals transform into anime characters to treat depression among Japanese youth. This is particularly important, considering that 75% of young people under 25 report struggling with mental health challenges. In a separate development, Silverside AI is using artificial intelligence to adapt F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby into an animated movie. Details regarding the animation style are not yet available.

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In the realm of entertainment, we’ve got a trio of tantalizing updates that’ll make your day. First up, Bruno Pferd on Players for Life has just teased an exciting new project brewing at Apple TV+. Mark your calendars for next summer as “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” a potential prequel to hit series “Monarch,” might be gearing up for production in Prague. This Cold War era thriller could blend espionage, political tension, and our favorite giant creatures, with Wyatt Russell potentially reprising his role. Check out Bruno’s insightful article here Apple TV+ May Be Prepping New Series Based on Godzilla to stay ahead of the game! Meanwhile, in gaming news, Jonathan Dubinski’s recent post reveals that mobile game “Survival Unit” has caused quite the stir. Within just 10 days of its launch on November 18th, this innovative Resident Evil title racked up an impressive two million downloads, dominating app charts worldwide. Dive into the full scoop here New Resident Evil Game Survival Unit Crushes 2 Million Downloads in 10 Days. And lastly, if you’re a Lego enthusiast with a penchant for space exploration, Jonathan Dubinski has you covered. His latest post unveils the newest addition to Lego’s Icons range – the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D set, featuring a removable saucer section and nine minifigures of key Star Trek crew members. With 3,600 pieces, this is one interstellar adventure you won’t want to miss. Find out more here Lego Unveils Massive Set for Completely Iconic License.