Anime has gone way beyond Saturday morning cartoons and niche fan clubs. Today, some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment are proudly calling themselves anime fans.
From NBA courts to soccer stadiums, celebrities are talking about their favorite shows and characters. It turns out loving anime is something that brings people together, no matter how famous they are.
1. Coco Gauff
Before stepping onto the court, Coco Gauff sometimes watches episodes of My Hero Academia to get her mind focused and her energy up. The young tennis champion has spoken about how anime helps her prepare mentally for big matches.
There is something about watching characters push through impossible challenges that clearly resonates with a competitor like Coco.
Fans love knowing their favorite sports star shares their passion for anime too.
2. Joel Embiid
Not everyone expects a 7-foot NBA center to be a hardcore anime fan, but Joel Embiid is exactly that. The Philadelphia 76ers star has earned a reputation as one of basketball’s biggest anime nerds, and he wears that title proudly.
His enthusiasm for the medium shows that anime fandom has no size limits.
Embiid’s love for anime reminds fans that even elite athletes have fun hobbies off the court.
3. Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan does not just watch anime for fun.
His love for the medium has actually shaped his creative work in real ways. He has openly talked about how series like Naruto inspired his approach to storytelling and character development in his acting and production projects.
Jordan even named his production company Outlier Society, a nod to his outsider passion for anime in Hollywood. He is proof that fandom can fuel serious artistic ambition.
4. Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves has built a career around iconic roles that feel almost larger than life, and his appreciation for anime fits right in with that energy. He has spoken in interviews about enjoying the art form and finding it genuinely compelling as a storytelling medium.
Given that he starred in The Matrix, which drew heavy anime influences, his admiration makes total sense. Reeves connecting with anime feels less like a surprise and more like a natural fit.
5. John Cena
John Cena is famous for his catchphrase “You can’t see me,” but his anime love is very easy to spot. The WWE legend and Hollywood actor has openly expressed his passion for anime on social media, sharing posts and references that delighted fans worldwide.
Cena’s enthusiasm is genuine and infectious. Seeing someone with his tough-guy image geek out over animated Japanese shows sends a cool message that anime is for absolutely everyone.
6. Tom Brady
Seven Super Bowl rings and an anime habit? Yes, that is Tom Brady.
The greatest quarterback in NFL history has been listed among professional athletes who enjoy unwinding with anime. It makes sense that someone so focused on mental preparation would appreciate the discipline-driven storylines common in many anime series.
Brady finding time for anime during his legendary career shows that even the busiest champions need a way to relax and recharge their minds.
7. Jamaal Williams
Jamaal Williams is one of the NFL’s most openly enthusiastic anime fans, and he makes absolutely no effort to hide it. The energetic running back has shown up to events in anime-inspired outfits and regularly talks about his favorite series with the kind of excitement most people save for game day.
His personality off the field is just as electric as his play on it. Williams proves that sports culture and anime culture can mix perfectly well together.
8. JuJu Smith-Schuster
JuJu Smith-Schuster built his public persona around being relatable, fun, and unapologetically himself. A big part of that identity is his genuine love for anime.
He regularly references anime in his social media content and has been spotted wearing anime-themed gear around the league.
His openness about his fandom helped normalize anime appreciation among younger NFL fans. JuJu showed a whole generation of sports fans that loving anime and being an elite athlete go hand in hand.
9. Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett is one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL, but away from the field he is a thoughtful, creative person with a deep love for anime. He has mentioned anime in interviews and is known among teammates for his wide range of intellectual interests.
Garrett’s appreciation for anime adds another layer to his already fascinating personality. He is the kind of athlete who makes you realize that the biggest stars often have the most unexpected passions.
10. Tyler Allgeier
Tyler Allgeier is a rising star in the NFL, and his anime fandom is part of what makes him stand out beyond his athletic stats. The young running back has been counted among the growing list of pro football players who genuinely enjoy watching anime during their downtime.
For a player still building his name in the league, sharing his love for anime creates an authentic connection with fans. Allgeier shows that the next generation of NFL stars is bringing anime culture right along with them.
11. Mike Daniels
Mike Daniels earned recognition on the football field, but his anime passion gave fans a whole new reason to cheer for him. The NFL defensive tackle has been recognized as a true anime lover, which is a fun contrast to his reputation as one of the toughest players on the line.
Daniels embracing anime culture helped spark conversations about athletes and their hobbies. His fandom is a reminder that the people we watch compete on Sundays have rich, layered lives beyond the game.
12. Michy Batshuayi
Michy Batshuayi is well known for his goals and his playful personality, but anime and manga are a serious part of his life off the pitch. The Belgian striker has talked about his love for both mediums and often references them in a fun, lighthearted way on social media.
Batshuayi brings the same energy to his anime fandom that he brings to football. His enthusiasm is contagious and has introduced many of his followers to the world of manga and anime storytelling.
13. Bakary Sako
Bakary Sako is a footballer who brought flair to the pitch and a deep love for anime and manga to his personal life. The winger has been noted for his genuine interest in Japanese animated culture, which sets him apart from many of his peers in European football.
Sako’s appreciation for anime is a cool reminder that the sport draws players from all kinds of backgrounds and interests. His fandom adds a unique and interesting dimension to his public personality.
14. Geoffrey Kondogbia
Geoffrey Kondogbia is a powerhouse midfielder known for his strength and reading of the game, and it turns out he reads manga with the same dedication. The footballer has been identified as a genuine anime and manga fan, enjoying the art form during his time away from professional football.
Kondogbia joining the list of footballer anime fans shows just how widespread the culture has become globally. His interest connects him to millions of fans who share the same passion worldwide.
15. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is famous for his wild goal celebrations and his love of flashy fashion, so it should surprise no one that he is also a big anime fan. The striker has openly expressed his admiration for anime and manga, particularly titles like Dragon Ball Z.
Aubameyang’s fandom feels completely on-brand for someone with his colorful personality. He is the kind of footballer who turns everything he loves into part of his larger-than-life public image.
16. Faouzi Ghoulam
Faouzi Ghoulam is a left-back known for his technical skill and calm presence on the field, and that same thoughtful energy carries over into his love for anime and manga. The Algerian defender has been recognized as a fan of Japanese animated storytelling, enjoying it as a meaningful hobby.
Ghoulam’s quieter, more reflective approach to his fandom is a nice contrast to some of his louder peers. His appreciation for the art form feels personal and sincere rather than performative.
17. Ibrahima Konaté
At just 25, Ibrahima Konaté is already one of Europe’s most impressive defenders, and he carries an anime fandom that matches his growing star power. The Liverpool center-back has shown interest in anime and manga, connecting him to a younger, globally minded generation of football supporters.
Konaté’s fandom feels very much of his generation. Young athletes like him are helping make anime appreciation a mainstream part of sports culture rather than a niche interest kept quietly to themselves.
18. Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba has always been one of football’s most expressive personalities, from his haircuts to his dance moves, and his anime fandom fits right into that creative identity. The French midfielder is well known for his love of anime and manga, often weaving it into his personal brand.
Pogba’s openness about his fandom helped bring anime into mainstream football conversations. He is the kind of superstar who makes loving anime feel cool, creative, and completely worth celebrating.