The Japanese film industry continues to produce talented actors, directors, and writers who gain international recognition.

Otaku is no longer a slur; it is a demographic. The industry has monetized "love" for characters ( Yurushite culture). Buying a body pillow (Dakimakura) of a character is an accepted expression of fandom. The Seiyuu (voice actor) industry has exploded. Top voice actors are now pop stars, because fans don't just want to hear the voice; they want to see the person who is the character. Seiyuu are forbidden from dating (in some contracts) to maintain the illusion of "purity" for their fans—a practice that mirrors the Joseon-era court rules of Kabuki actors.