The “changing appearance” of uncles in Japanese anime! The difference between the characters at “35 years old” back then and now is so significant; could it be related to health and lifestyle habits?

Against the backdrop of gradual development in various countries, improvements in public health conditions, advancements in medical technology, and an increasing emphasis on a healthy lifestyle have led to a general rise in the average life expectancy of citizens. So, will this trend of extended lifespan also impact the characterization of figures in cultural works?

Recently, many Japanese netizens have been discussing the huge differences in the depiction of the “35-year-old uncle” image in modern versus past anime works. Is this change due to the trend of a younger drawing style, or is it closely related to the evolution of Japanese people’s appearances in real life? Let’s explore this interesting topic together.

 The definition of ’35 years old’ has changed.

A Japanese manga artist named Yosuke Inu has recently sparked heated discussions on X (formerly Twitter) about the significant changes in the definition of “35 years old” in anime works and shared an illustration, which has led to enthusiastic discussions among netizens.

In modern anime works, the appearance of “35 years old” characters looks much younger compared to earlier works. Although the age setting of characters is in the hands of the authors, such choices often aim to express the alignment between age and appearance. So, is the reason for this change in perception due to the trend of younger artistic styles in modern anime, or have humans actually changed in reality?

 Japanese netizens have varied reactions.

“Being 35 years old in the past really did have that uncle vibe.” Some netizens have pointed out that the high school students in early Showa and Heisei manga and anime show a stark contrast to the high school students in modern works, resembling a mother-son relationship.

For example, the characters in “Ikki Tousen” appear to be of a completely different age compared to those in “Girls und Panzer” or “Love Live!”

“The nutrition in our diet has changed, so modern people age more slowly.” Additionally, some netizens pointed out that modern people no longer drink alcohol, smoke, or work long hours like before, which contributes to a slower aging process.

“Although many people still believe that mental age is reflected in appearance, changes in values such as smoking, drinking, overworking, environmental improvements, and increased awareness of beauty also affect appearance.” A netizen mentioned.

 Accompanying the discussion are some examples shared by netizens.

“Ramba Ral is also 35 years old. Can you believe he’s even younger than me? Who can stand that?” is a typical character mentioned by netizens.

Looking at Kankichi Ryotsu (who is 35 years old in the manga), I can most relate to the evolution of 35-year-old male manga characters…

Captain Dragon from ‘Ultraman’ is also 35 years old, which is hard to believe; it really looks just like the illustration.

Look at the 24-year-olds in the ‘Gundam’ series, how could these guys possibly be from my generation…?

 Eh—

Overall, this change not only reflects the younger character designs but also represents the shifts in Japanese society regarding different lifestyles and values. With the increase in average lifespan, improvements in living standards, and the popularity of new social trends, this transformation may be an inevitability.

From these netizens’ discussions, it is not hard to see that, in addition to the changes in animation styles, the multiple changes in modern lifestyles and social concepts also influence their perceptions of age and appearance. However, it is certain that the new definition of “35 years old” has sparked greater curiosity among viewers about the stories and settings behind these characters.