My Anime List Case Study: Analyzing the Most Popular Anime
by Joyce Mirador
Dive into the world of anime with an in-depth analysis of MyAnimeList's dataset! By exploring the relationships among various popularity metrics, this study aims to uncover what makes an anime a fan favorite. Whether it's for streaming platforms looking to boost viewer retention or anime enthusiasts searching for the next binge-watch, these findings offer valuable insights into the dynamics of anime popularity.
Objectives
The goal of this project is to determine if there is a significant relationship between anime rankings (popularity and rank) and user engagement metrics (favorites and score). Additionally, the project aims to identify the top 10 anime based on these metrics. This information can help streaming platforms curate content that resonates with viewers and assist anime fans in discovering popular titles.
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Data Preparation
First, a comprehensive dataset was gathered from
Kaggle,
compiled from the MyAnimeList website by Sajid. It includes various details about each anime in 2023, such as its score
(overall rating given to the anime), genres, type, number of episodes, status, studios, source material, duration, age rating,
rank, popularity, favorites (number of times the anime was marked as a favorite), scored_by (number of users who scored the
anime), and members (number of members who added the anime on their list).
Data cleaning involved removing duplicates, handling missing values, and converting data types as necessary. R was used for
data manipulation and separation of genres for detailed analysis.
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Data Visualization
Using R, the data was visualized to identify rankings and correlations among the different popularity metrics.
Most Popular Animes:
- Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
- Death Note
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- One Punch Man
- Sword Art Online
- Boku no Hero Academia (My Hero Academia)
- Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer)
- Naruto
- Tokyo Ghoul
- Hunter x Hunter
Most Favorited Animes:
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Hunter x Hunter
- One Piece
- Steins;Gate
- Death Note
- Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
- Naruto: Shippuuden
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer)
Correlation Matrix
A higher rank signifies higher popularity, while more favorites, scores, and additions to favorite lists correlate with lower rankings. Ranking, closely tied to score, reflects user ratings more accurately than popularity alone. Popularity shows moderate influence from user ratings, yet favorites, scores, and member additions show little impact on overall ranking and score. It suggests user engagement actions like favoriting are not primary indicators of an anime's success. Evaluating an anime's ranking and score provides a clearer picture of its popularity and user reception.
Most Popular Genres:
- Ecchi
- Girls Love
- Boys Love
- Romance
- Award Winning
Correlation Between Popularity Metrics Based on Genre
Top-ranked anime genres are often popular but tend to receive lower scores. Interestingly, while popular genres may have lower scores, those with many favorites typically achieve higher ratings. However, having many favorites doesn't guarantee popularity or a top rank. Overall, a genre's score significantly influences its favoritism and ranking within the anime community.
Most Popular Source Material:
- Light novel
- Manga
- Visual novel
- 4-koma manga
- Web manga
Top 10 studios that have produced the most popular anime:
- Wit Studio
- Madhouse
- Bones
- A-1 Pictures
- ufotable
- Pierrot
- CoMix Wave Films
- White Fox
- MAPPA
- Kyoto Animation
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Analysis Results
Several interesting findings emerged from the analysis:
- Correlation Analysis: Rank showed a stronger correlation with score (0.98) compared to popularity (0.57), indicating that an anime's rank, which considers multiple factors, better reflects user ratings.
- Engagement Metrics: User engagements such as favorites, scored_by, and members had a weak relationship with rank and score, suggesting that these metrics alone do not significantly impact an anime's overall ranking and score.
- Top Studios and Sources: Studios like Bones and MAPPA consistently produce highly-ranked anime, while source materials such as light novels and manga are particularly popular.
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Recommendations
For streaming platforms, it's essential to consider multiple factors when evaluating anime popularity. Focusing on
highly-rated anime by top studios and popular source materials can enhance content curation strategies and improve viewer
engagement. For anime enthusiasts, exploring titles with high scores and strong rankings can help discover hidden gems and
fan favorites.
Understanding the dynamics of anime popularity can help both platforms and viewers make more informed decisions, leading to
a richer and more enjoyable anime-watching experience.
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