A poster recruiting participants for anime therapy conducted by a Japanese research team. Photo: Courtesy of the team
The initiative marks Japan's first use of animation in a therapeutic setting, according to the team led by Mio Ishii, associate professor at Yokohama City University.
Anime therapy is a method devised by Panto Francesco, an Italian psychiatrist and licensed Japanese doctor who has a passion for anime.
The approach aims to support individuals in need through fictional works, such as Japanese anime.
Japanese anime characters, often depicted with detailed histories, are considered effective counseling tools due to their high capacity for empathy and emotional relatability, according to the team.
In the trial, lasting from October last year to June this year, "character counseling" is being conducted with some 20 people aged 18 to 29 who claim to have mild psychological disorders.
Mio Ishii, assistant professor at Yokohama City University, speaks to the press in the city of Yokohama, on December 24, 2025. Photo: Jiji Press
Participants choose one of six animated characters created by Francesco for online counseling.
Each character has a distinct personality and history.
Psychologists provide the voices for the three male and three female characters using a voice modulation device to engage with the participants.
The research team has focused on the difficulties faced by young people in their late teens and their 20s.
During the trial, psychological indicators of the participants' satisfaction and depression levels are measured to assess the safety of character counseling and its applicability for individuals with more severe mental health issues.
Ishii noted that 75 pct of mental illnesses begin by the age of 24.
"Very few young people seek medical help even when they feel unwell," she said.
"We want to make anime therapy a new option."
