Unconventional Approach: Japan Tests Anime-Based Therapy to Help People with Depression

Japan is testing an unconventional therapy method to help people with depression, using anime characters as a medium for psychological counselling. The research is being conducted amid persistent mental health stigma in the country.

The method was developed by Italian psychiatrist Francesco Panto, who now lives in Japan. He believes anime can serve as an ‘emotional bridge’ for people who struggle to open up or seek help regarding mental health issues.

‘Using manga and anime has been very helpful for me. It has become an important tool for emotional support,’ Panto was quoted as saying by AFP, as reported on Friday (22 May 2026).

Panto says he has been drawn to anime and Japanese games since adolescence while growing up in Sicily, Italy. At that time he felt it difficult to fit in socially. He said characters in games such as ‘Final Fantasy’ gave him a sense of a male figure he wanted to imitate.

‘They looked masculine and cool, but in their own way,’ he added.

The pilot six-month study was conducted at Yokohama City University and ended in March. The study involved 20 participants aged 18 to 29 who were experiencing depressive symptoms.

In online counselling sessions, psychologists appeared using anime avatars with digitally altered voices. Panto described the concept as a ‘fantasy filter’ believed to make patients more comfortable discussing their problems.

For the study, the team created six different anime characters, each with their own personality and psychological background. Ranging from a female figure with ‘nurturing energy’ to a prince-like male character who is emotional and empathetic.

Some characters are depicted as having issues such as bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders and alcohol problems. However, Panto emphasised that the characters are kept engaging and pleasant to ensure the experience does not feel like heavy, formal therapy.

One participant aged 24 said he became interested in joining the study after reading a description of a character who was seeking true strength.

‘It made me feel that perhaps I could also find answers to my own problems,’ he said.

The early-stage research also monitored participants’ heart rate and sleep patterns to assess whether anime-based therapy truly reduces depressive symptoms. Panto is even considering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) so that such therapy could be delivered without a human psychologist directly.

Mio Ishii, assistant professor at Yokohama City University, said the project arose because many young people in Japan experience ‘ikizurasa’, a term for difficulties in living in society.

‘There are many young people who cannot go to school or continue working. We want to offer them a new option to recover from their difficulties,’ Ishii said.

She added that the stigma surrounding seeking mental health help in Japan remains very high. Data cited by the World Economic Forum show that only 6% of Japanese people had ever used psychological counselling services in 2022. The figure is far lower than in Europe or the United States.

A family therapy expert from the University of Seville, Jesus Maya, who was not involved in the study, said using anime in therapy could be very helpful.

‘Anime can help people express emotions more easily and assist communication between patients and therapists,’ he said.

The 24-year-old participant also said that anime gave him a sense of purpose.

‘The see characters who are enthusiastic about pursuing their dreams makes me want to stay alive,’ he said, adding that he currently enjoys anime such as ‘The End of Eveangelion’ and ‘Girls Band Cry.’