People in Indonesia are naming their kids after manga characters

SocietyCivil registration data reflects the popularity of Japanese anime and mangaThe popularity of Japanese anime and manga has influenced Indonesian parents' name choices for their children, with some named after characters like Naruto. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images and AP)YURIKA YONEDAAugust 24, 2026 13:06 JSTTOKYO -- Japanese character names are turning up in unusual places. Some people in Indonesia are bucking tradition and choosing to name their kids after Japanese manga characters, highlighting the influence of Japanese pop culture and turning heads in Japan.