Ever think about anime and picture Japan? Cherry blossoms, school uniforms, maybe a giant robot or two? Well, sometimes, anime takes a bite out of the Big Apple! Yep, New York City has been the backdrop for some pretty cool animated adventures. It's a fun change of scenery and adds a whole new flavor to the stories we love.
Surprising Anime in the City That Never Sleeps
One anime that dives headfirst into NYC is Blood Blockade Battlefront (also known as Kekkai Sensen). Imagine a portal opened up and now New York is... different. It's called Hellsalem's Lot, a bizarre mix of humans and otherworldly creatures living side-by-side (or sometimes fighting).
Our hero, Leonardo Watch, comes to this crazy city to help his sister. He gets mixed up with a secret organization called Libra. The humor is quirky, the action is over-the-top, and the visuals of this transformed New York are absolutely wild! Expect monsters ordering pizza.
Another anime partially set in New York is Banana Fish. It's a bit darker and more serious than Blood Blockade Battlefront. The story revolves around a street gang leader named Ash Lynx.
Ash is investigating a mysterious word, “Banana Fish.” The anime explores themes of found family, trauma, and corruption. While not *entirely* set in NYC, the city's gritty underbelly plays a crucial role in the narrative, offering a stark contrast to the typical anime settings.
Why New York? The Anime Appeal
So, why choose New York? Well, for starters, it's iconic! Everyone knows the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the energy of the city. It gives the anime an instant level of recognition.
New York is a melting pot of cultures. It brings a sense of globalism and diversity to the stories. It can add depth and complexity.
Think about it: anime characters dealing with the hustle and bustle of NYC subways, the towering skyscrapers, the sheer amount of people. The culture shock itself can be a source of comedy or drama.
"Imagine Goku trying to order a hot dog from a street vendor!"
Beyond the Big Names: Hidden Gems
While Blood Blockade Battlefront and Banana Fish are relatively well-known, other anime have featured New York in smaller, but still significant ways. Keep an eye out for anime movies or series where characters might take a trip to NYC. It offers a fun surprise and a chance to see your favorite anime styles applied to a familiar location.
For example, parts of the film Pokémon the Movie 2000, are set in New York City! It's a short but sweet appearance that many fans have enjoyed.
So next time you're watching anime, pay attention to the backgrounds! You might just spot a familiar landmark or a scene that makes you say, "Hey, that's New York!" It's a fun way to appreciate anime from a new perspective and realize just how far these stories can travel. It proves that anime isn't limited to Japan; it can take on the world, one city at a time!
