2021 was arguably the "Year of the Vtuber" (Virtual YouTuber). While the technology had existed for years, agencies like and Nijisanji saw their talents explode in popularity.

With the release of Metroid Dread and the OLED model of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo maintained its grip on the family and enthusiast markets.

These titles dominated social media trends, with Jujutsu Kaisen taking the mantle as the next "shonen" king. Their success highlighted a trend toward darker, more complex storytelling in mainstream animation.

Vtubers like Gawr Gura and Houshou Marine began appearing in mainstream advertising and collaborating with major brands. This blurred the lines between digital avatars and traditional celebrities.