Astro Boy, Doraemon, Pokémon, Slam Dunk, Dragon Ball, Shinchan, many of us may have heard of one or more of these names, regardless of Where we come from, they are among the famous Japanese animated films, which have a global influence and have become more than a regional pop culture, but a transnational cultural phenomenon. As with many transnational pop cultures, the reasons why they may be popular in other countries while others may not are complicated, it may have to do with social environment, cultural context and many other factors. This article will briefly introduce the history and development of Japanese animation, and analyze its influences and the reasons why it has become a global cultural phenomenon. Today, Japan has become the world's largest exporter of comics and animation, with a $500 million-a-year industry. (Take Two), its influence is no longer limited to the television screen, but constitutes an important part of pop cultures in many countries. Japanese animations originated in the early 20th century, initially imitating Western cartoons, but their distinctive style was then continually developed and adopted. In 1963, the first very popular Japanese animated film was born, Astro Boy, a production by Osamu Tezuka, considered the most distant of modern Japanese animated films. During this period, many original animations were created, and some of them, like Doraemon, are still produced and have influence until today. Despite the simple drawing style and storyline of animations from this period, they began to create a national influence in Japan. By the 1980s, Japanese animation had become an indispensable element in the lives of Japanese people. Referring to the success of the comic book industry in the United States, the Japanese government realized that the medium of paper was easy, the high quality, good stories, and diverse topics made them popular with people from different ages and from different cultures. original, no matter what topic you are interested in, you can always find Japanese animation that attracts you, and this is why Japanese animation has become a global cultural phenomenon. Works CitedChambers, Samantha Nicole Inëz. “Anime: From Cult to Pop Culture Phenomenon.” » of Undergraduate Research in Communications 94. Print. Schodt, FL and O. Tezuka. Manga! Manga! : The world of Japanese comics. Kodansha America, Incorporated, 2013.Take two. “Why is Japanese animation so successful in the United States.” 89.3 KPCC December 3, 2012. Web. November 11, 2013. Wai-ming, Ng. “The Impact of Japanese Comics and Animation in Asia.” Journal of Japanese Trade & Industry: July/August (2002): 2. Print.