The Rise of Anime Tattoos in the Tattoo Industry

Over the past few years - in fact, since just after the Covid lockdown - anime tattoos have exploded in popularity. With the lack of new exciting media to consume, many people had turned to anime for entertainment. After spending days quarantined watching anime, new sparkling otakus emerged with the desire to turn their bodies into canvases depicting their favorite characters! They joined the well-seasoned otakus that had also shared this desire - and together they lifted up many talented anime-loving tattoo artists, filling their portfolios with dynamic and whimsical characters and scenes!

“I know I look like an idiot, but...I've decided to bet my whole life up to this point.” - Kafka Hibino, Kaiju no. 08

Why the hype?

The interest in anime had already been blossoming for quite some time - it changed from being a niche interest to a globally beloved form of entertainment. With this growth, the value in producing anime also experienced a boom, and we started seeing higher quality animation emerge from studios. Online streaming platforms also contributed to making access to anime more convenient than ever before. It was only a matter of time before the anime industry become a massive entertainment juggernaut - especially in the USA when compared to other countries.

The anime industry was considered "pandemic-proof" because production didn't stop - and otakus devoured the release of the industry's most successful hit Demon-Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train. This movie release earned a staggering $469,119,320 worldwide! Of course many more successful releases followed, and as such, turned this niche into a mainstream pop culture phenomenon! So it's no surprise that this bled into the tattoo industry, with many anime fans flocking to their artists for ink! While many collect trinkets and figures to idolize their favorite shows and characters, there are others who want to immortalize their admiration into their skin. Tattoos naturally provide a more custom, permanent, and highly personalized way to showcase this love.

Social media also had a large role to play in this surge, with visual platforms like Instagram and TikTok showcasing stunning anime tattoos, which in turn inspired others to get tattoos of their own and amplified the demand. Unsurprisingly, anime translated into tattoos beautifully - and the more awe-inspiring works seemed to stem from artists specializing in neo-traditional, black and gray, and even color realism! So unlike other tattoo fads - this interest proved to be less of a fleeting interest, and more of an evolving tattoo style.

Anime Meets Ink and Identity

Anime tattoos go beyond aesthetics - they are deeply personal, built on the connections otakus have made with specific characters. The stories behind these characters can serve as symbols of resilience, heroism, love, personal struggles, etc... and so it can be argued that anime tattoos are no different from any other meaningful choice for tattoos.

While a lion and clock tattoo may hold deep astrological significance to it's wearer, it's meaning may not resonate with a casual onlooker. In contrast, an anime-tattoo bridges the gap effortlessly. An otaku will spot a familiar character instantly, sparking an immediate connection with their inked counterpart, thus uniting them over a shared passion!

The Future of Anime Tattoos

While the boom that followed the pandemic has somewhat calmed and settled into mainstream media, the hype is still boisterous and the demand and consumption of anime is still strong. In the tattoo industry, competition is booming - with more tattoo artists embracing anime-inspired styles and designs and new potential otakus on the horizon, we can expect this wave to continue onward! Many talented artists are available to bring anime tattoo visions into fruition - whether its delicate fine-line art, bold manga panels, or large dynamic masterpieces, anime tattoos are here to stay for the long run!

Tinkering with an idea for an anime-tattoo? Here's a few tips.

One of the most important steps in finding an artist for your tattoo is to browse portfolios! Social media is exceptionally helpful in this regard as tattoo artists rely on Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok to present their works! However, even with the ease of searching at our fingertips, it's important to look at more than just a clean and crisp portfolio, so consider these factors in your research:

• Does the artist express interest in tattooing anime?

• Do they seem knowledgeable in anime in general?

• Do they showcase more than a few anime tattoos in their portfolio?

• Do they have healed examples available?

Not just any tattoo artist can produce a compositionally powerful anime tattoo with rich contrasts and vibrant colors - and no one wants to end up with a flat wonky-eyed tattoo of Sailor Moon permanently inked to their skin. Invest in a tattoo you can carry with pride and feel confident in showing off! While anime tattoo artists saturate the market and are relatively easy to find, there are a handful that truly stand out from the crowd with their styles! Reflect on what your idea is worth to you, and take the time necessary to invest in a beautiful piece you know you'll cherish forever!

Ren Behan INK

If you haven't settled on a specific artist for your anime tattoo ideas, why not start your journey with me? Follow the link below to check out my portfolio and see if I'm the right artist for your anime tattoo ideas! Trust that my excitement for your tattoo will match yours, and I can't wait to brainstorm and help bring your vision to skin!

Tattoo Portfolio

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