The Rise of Anime in the Early 2000s
In 2025, anime is a global phenomenon. Thanks to streaming platforms and the internet, it has become one of the most widespread forms of entertainment around the world. It’s referenced in music, movies, and comics, making it a significant part of popular culture. However, this wasn’t always the case. Many older fans remember a time when anime and manga were considered niche hobbies. Back then, enthusiasts would share tapes or upload episodes of anime in parts on YouTube to ensure others could watch them.
Despite being a niche interest, anime had a profound influence on Western media during the early 2000s. Many films took inspiration from anime, with franchises like The Matrix showcasing how action movies in the West adapted to the high-octane style that anime was known for. Before irony became prevalent, movies like Van Helsing and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen embraced over-the-top styles and visual effects.
The Influence of Van Helsing: The London Assignment
One of the most notable examples of anime’s impact on Western cinema is Van Helsing: The London Assignment. This animated prequel special marked the beginning of anime’s influence on Western animation. Production I.G, the studio behind Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, played a key role in this transformation. Their work influenced the aesthetic and storytelling techniques used in many action movies of the era.
The Wachowski siblings, creators of The Matrix, even used Ghost In the Shell as a reference to explain their vision for the film. This shows how deeply anime shaped the visual language of action movies in the early 2000s. Films like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Van Helsing, and Resident Evil adopted many of the filmmaking techniques pioneered by anime. Directors like Quentin Tarantino also showed admiration for anime works such as Blood: The Last Vampire, further cementing its influence on American cinema.
Production I.G’s Business Model and Global Impact
Production I.G was not just an animation studio; it was a business innovator. Its founder, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, aimed to expand the studio’s reach beyond traditional animation. Unlike other studios that stopped after receiving payment, Ishikawa invested in projects to maximize profits. This approach led to the production of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence without external distribution help. He even negotiated directly with DreamWorks, securing a deal that placed the studio in animation history.
In 2005, Production I.G collaborated with Cartoon Network to produce IGPX, a show that reshaped the Western animation landscape. The studio also created Van Helsing: The London Assignment, an animated prequel with stunning visuals that rivaled the best scenes from Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. This project demonstrated how anime could elevate Western animation to new heights.
The Evolution of Western Animation
Anime’s influence on Western animation grew significantly in the early 2000s. While Japanese artists had always had a small presence in Western creative circles, it was Production I.G that brought these influences into the mainstream. Franchises like Ghost In the Shell and Blood: The Last Vampire inspired many creators of the time. The decade was defined by high-octane action, darker color palettes, and bold storytelling—elements that began to appear in Western cartoons.
Shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender gained massive popularity due to their quality storytelling and smooth animation. This period also saw the rise of series like My Life As A Teenage Robot and Invader Zim, which incorporated anime-inspired styles. Batman Beyond took cues from The Matrix to bring a beloved superhero into the future, carrying forward many of the ideas that defined the era.
The Legacy of Production I.G
Today, Western animation is heavily influenced by anime, with few exceptions. Production I.G remains a beloved studio, continuing to create animations for series like Kaiju No. 8. Their legacy is built on smart business practices and high-quality work, proving that determination can shape cultural trends. The movies of the early 2000s may seem outdated today, but they represented a time when creativity was at the forefront of storytelling. Production I.G’s DNA still lives on in the world of Western animation, influencing generations of creators.
