Michael B. Jordan may be one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but his next big creative obsession could be anime.
The Sinners star has revealed that he currently has multiple anime-related projects in the early stages of development, and he even joked that he could walk away from Hollywood filmmaking and spend the rest of his career making anime.
The revelation comes from Jordan’s new cover interview with Vogue for its October 2026 issue. The actor has been a longtime anime fan, and his passion for the medium has increasingly found its way into his own creative work.
During the interview, Vogue described Jordan as an anime obsessive who has “some projects in early stages of development.” Jordan then made his rather unexpected declaration:
“I might just quit it all and make anime the rest of my life.”
Vogue’s reporter noted that he was “only half-joking.”
So while there is no announcement of Jordan actually leaving Hollywood, the comment does confirm that anime projects are actively part of his creative plans.
Michael B. Jordan Has Loved Anime Since Childhood
Jordan’s interest in anime isn’t something that suddenly appeared after he became a Hollywood star.
Jordan grew up in Newark, New Jersey, and as a child he would sneak into the basement of his church to watch Dragon Ball Z on television. That childhood interest has continued throughout his career.
He has previously spoken publicly about his love for series such as Dragon Ball, Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, Hajime no Ippo, and Megalo Box, along with Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke.
His anime fandom has also influenced the way he approaches filmmaking.
When Jordan made his directorial debut with Creed III, he used anime-inspired visual ideas for the movie’s climactic boxing sequences. The final fight deliberately moves away from a conventional boxing presentation, creating a much more stylized confrontation inspired by the way anime often depicts major battles.
Jordan Has Already Worked On An Anime-Inspired Series
This isn’t Jordan’s first major involvement with animated projects either.
He served as the lead voice actor and an executive producer on gen:LOCK, the animated science-fiction series created by Rooster Teeth. Jordan voiced Julian Chase, while his production company, Outlier Society, was involved in producing the series.
The series follows a team of pilots involved in a futuristic war and uses heavily anime- and mecha-inspired visuals and storytelling.
While gen:LOCK is a Western animated production rather than a Japanese anime, it gave Jordan an opportunity to work directly in the kind of medium he has been passionate about for years.
Michael B. Jordan Previously Wanted To Direct A Live-Action Anime
Interestingly, Jordan has also spoken about another anime ambition.
The actor has previously discussed the possibility of finding an anime property that he could adapt into live action and direct himself.
At the time, Jordan was already discussing the idea of exploring anime as a new creative direction alongside his other filmmaking projects.
That makes his latest comments to Vogue even more interesting. His plans appear to extend beyond simply being inspired by anime or appearing in an animated project.
Jordan has now confirmed that anime projects are actually in development, although he has not revealed their titles, studios, formats, release dates, or whether they are original creations or adaptations.
Don’t Expect A Full Anime Reveal Just Yet
As exciting as the comments are, there is still very little concrete information about Jordan’s upcoming anime projects.
Vogue only confirms that some anime projects are in the early stages of development. No official titles or production partners have been announced through the interview.
That means speculation about which anime Jordan could be adapting, which studio might produce his projects, or whether he intends to create an entirely original series remains just that — speculation.
For now, the biggest takeaway is that one of Hollywood’s most prominent anime fans is actively developing projects in the medium.
And considering Jordan’s existing anime influences, his work on gen:LOCK, his anime-inspired approach to Creed III, and his previous interest in directing a live-action anime adaptation, this appears to be more than a passing interest.
Michael B. Jordan Could Have A Much Bigger Future In Anime
Jordan is currently juggling several major Hollywood projects, including his upcoming The Thomas Crown Affair, which he is directing, producing, and starring in.
Yet anime seems to occupy a particularly personal place in his creative interests.
He has spent years openly discussing the medium, incorporating its influence into his films, and working on animation. Now, he says that multiple anime projects are moving through the early stages of development.
For an actor who once watched Dragon Ball Z in a church basement, the possibility of eventually making anime professionally is certainly one hell of a full-circle moment.
For now, fans will have to wait for Jordan to reveal exactly what he has been working on. Bookmark Otaku Mantra for more anime news and updates!
About Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan is an American actor, director, and producer known for his roles in films and television series including Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, and Sinners.
Jordan made his directorial debut with Creed III in 2023, which also starred him as Adonis Creed. His filmmaking has featured noticeable anime influences, particularly in the film’s stylized action sequences.
He has also worked extensively with animation. Jordan voiced Julian Chase and served as an executive producer on the animated series gen:LOCK, which was produced by Rooster Teeth and Jordan’s Outlier Society.
Jordan has frequently spoken about his love for anime, with Dragon Ball, Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, Hajime no Ippo, and Megalo Box among the works he has discussed publicly.
In September 2026, Jordan revealed through a Vogue cover interview that he has anime projects in the early stages of development, while joking that he might “quit it all and make anime the rest of my life.”
