Anime has had an indisputable influence on Hollywood films, but this also goes for singers. Such is the case with The Weeknd, who holds nothing but love for the art. The pop singer recently revealed his favorite anime, and Sailor Moon happens to be one of them.
The Weeknd names Sailor Moon as his first crush
The Weeknd recently spoke to Crunchyroll News about his love for anime. He cited Shinichiro Watanabe as one of his inspirations for his initial album House of Balloons, but that’s not it.
The singer told the news portal that he was enamored by Sailor Moon, saying, “When I was first introduced to anime, I was a child. Sailor Moon was one of my first crushes, Goku my first imaginary sparring partner… It’s safe to say I wouldn’t be here without anime.”
Both Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball are trailblazers when it comes to their respective genres. Naoko Takeuchi, the author of Sailor Moon, blended storytelling through her trope of magic girls. She started an era that ultimately shaped the course of the shojo genre.
Akira Toriyama’s opus Dragon Ball, likewise, is considered the Father of the Big 3 of Shonen anime. It also redefined major themes in storytelling and characterization through its main character, Goku. The fact that The Weeknd also cited Shinichiro Watanabe shows he’s a man of culture indeed. He named Samurai Champloo as one of his favorite series.
Watanabe’s works are nothing short of works of art, especially with how he blends storytelling and visuals and brings narratives to life. Be it Cowboy Bebop or Kids on the Slope, Watanabe’s roster is truly impressive.
This, however, isn’t the first time The Weeknd proclaimed his love for anime. He cosplayed Masamichi Yaga from Jujutsu Kaisen while visiting Sega Headquarters in Japan around February 2026. Fans couldn’t help but notice the uncanny resemblance between the two, and his cosplay, nonetheless, was spot on!
The singer also happens to be an ardent fan of Chainsaw Man, especially when he shared a visual of Reze Arc on his social media. He will be hosting Crunchyroll’s Anime Awards 2026, which will be held on May 23rd in Tokyo.
