What is Seinen Anime? Definition, Meaning, Example

What is Seinen Anime? Seinen anime is a Japanese word, 青年, which means “youth” or “young man”, and this anime manga targets mostly an adult or mature audience.  

Seinen anime explores themes and narratives that are more mature and complex and feature a greater degree of reality in its art style, character designs, and character development.

Shonen vs. Shoujo vs. Seinen

Where did Seinen Anime Come From?

The term Seinen was first created by manga publishers to categorize this genre for adult male readers. One of the earliest examples of Seinen manga is “Golgo 13,” created by Takao Saito in 1968. Seinen anime became famous in the late 1980s, and since then, it has expanded a wide range of themes and styles. Some examples include Ghost in the Shell, which focuses on futuristic and philosophical questions about identity, and Black Lagoon, which focuses on gritty, action-packed narratives with adult themes.

What is Seinen Anime Romance?

Seinen Anime Romance is an anime romance that caters more to love and relationship viewpoints. Unlike Shoujo romance, which often emphasizes sweetness and innocence.

Seinen romance may explore more complex and adult themes. It may depict the challenges of maintaining a relationship, the impact of past traumas on love, or the consequences of societal pressures.

“Nana” is a notable Seinen anime that delves into romantic themes. It revolves around two women sharing the same name who become roommates and navigate love, friendship, and personal development. The series portrays the challenges faced by young adults as they search for their purpose in life and relationships.

Another Seinen anime, “Honey and Clover,” explores romance by portraying the lives of art college students who go through unrequited love, personal challenges, and the pursuit of their dreams. It effectively depicts the uncertainties that come with young love and self-discovery.

Related: 20 Top IMDb-Rated Seinen Series From Top To Bottom You Should Watch In 2024

Seinen Anime Movies to Watch in 2024 and These are the Seinen Anime Examples

As of 2024, several Seinen anime movies have captured the attention of viewers worldwide. Here’s a list of some of the best Seinen anime movies to consider for your watchlist:

1. Perfect Blue: Watch at Amazon Prime Video, IMDb (8.0), Release Year: (1997)

“Perfect Blue” is a well-known Seinen psychological thriller. It’s a movie directed by Satoshi Kon that tells the story of a former pop idol who becomes an actress and experiences unsettling things that make it hard to distinguish what’s real and what’s not.

2. The Case of Hana & Alice: Watch at iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Vudu, IMDb (7.1), Released Year: 2015

Fourteen-year-old Alice moves to Fujiko with her mom. She sees a girl spying from a nearby house and discovers poor test grades in her closet. At school, they discuss an evil spirit called Judas who has four wives. A student named Moo accuses Alice of setting the spirit free but later admits it was a lie. Moo explains that she made up the story to cope with bullying since she used to sit at Judas’s desk. Hana knows more about Judas and assists Alice in uncovering the truth about Kotaro Yuda, whom Hana had feelings for.

3. Promare:  Watch at Max, Prime Video, or Vudu, IMDb (7.0), Released Year: 2019

During the Great World Blaze catastrophe, a lot of people caught fire and died, which wiped out half of the world’s population. Some humans gained the ability to control fire and were called Burnish. Thirty years later, Galo Thymos is a firefighter in Promepolis. He fights against extremist Burnish known as Mad Burnish but ends up getting captured by Freeze Force, which is led by Governor Kray Foresight. They find a laboratory where Deus Prometh reveals that using the Promare beings in Earth’s core for warp drive experiments will result in the destruction of the planet.

4. Ride Your Wav: Watch at Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Apple TV, IMDb (6.8), Released Year 2019

Hinako moves to a town near the ocean for college and surfing. One day, she is saved from a fire by Minato, who is a firefighter. They become very close friends. Unfortunately, Minato dies while trying to save someone else’s life. Hinako learns about Minato’s past and decides to become a lifeguard so that she can be independent. During an emergency situation, Hinako needs help and calls upon Minato for assistance in rescuing her and her friend from a fire. After this incident, they separated again. Eventually, Hinako continues her duties as a lifeguard and enjoys surfing without Minato by her side.

5. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020): Watch at Prime Video, Crunchyroll, IMDb (8.2)

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, goes to a graveyard and thinks about the people who gave up their lives fighting against the demon king. At the same time, Tanjiro and his friends, including his sister Nezuko, go on a mission on a train called Mugen Train. They fight against Enmu, a demon who controls dreams, and then they face another strong demon named Akaza. Even though they lose some battles, they promise to keep going because they are encouraged by their friend Kyojuro who died in battle.

Conclusion

Seinen anime shows how versatile and developed the anime medium is. It tells stories that go beyond what we usually see in cartoons and explores the challenges of grown-up life and thinking. Seinen anime covers a wide range of topics, has complex plots, and is made with great animation quality. It has carved out a special place for itself by captivating older viewers with its interesting and educational content.

Comment to share your favorite Seinen Anime and kindly tell me about your experience with this genre.