Ask John: Are There Any Celebrity Anime Fans?

Question:
Not that it’s really all the important, but are any celebrities openly anime fans. I’ve seen celebrities admit to being Star Trek geeks or comic book nerds, but I’ve never heard of a celeb openly state that they are into anime. When lucky actors get to voice a Ghibli movie, they always seem unaware of the entire anime genre. Have you heard of any celebs being Otaku? Here is a few potentials I thought of: Gwen Stephani is obviously versed in anime and manga because of Harajuku. Timbaland used anime in his stage show. Masi Oka of “Heroes” must get the anime references of his character. And Seth Green uses anime characters and references in Robot Chicken.

Answer:
Since you’ve provided several examples, I’ll do what I can to expand the list. I’m sure that there are other Western celebrities with a noticeable fondness for anime that I’m either not aware of, or have temporarily forgotten. So please take this response as merely a starting point and not a comprehensive list.

Stephen Spielberg has called the extended car chase from Lupin the 3rd: Cagliostro’s Castle one of the best action scenes in the history of cinema, but I don’t know how extensively familiar Mr. Spielberg is with anime.

Matrix directors Larry and Andy Wachowski are avowed anime fans.

In 2005 comedian and actor Robin Williams told the USA Today newspaper, “I collect a lot of Japanese anime.”

Rock legend Glenn Danzig has been spotted at Anime Expo and is reportedly a devoted fan of Go Nagai’s work. Mr. Danzig commissioned Madhouse to produce a pilot anime for his comic character Satanika.

The rock musician Matthew Sweet used anime footage from Space Adventure Cobra and Urusei Yatsura for two of his music videos a number of years ago.

French pop-music duo Daft Punk worked with Leiji Matsumoto to develop the musical anime film Interstella 5555.

Rap artist Kanye West is a confirmed anime fan. Hype Williams, the director of West’s music video “Stronger” has confirmed that West was inspired by Akira to develop the concept for the music video.