Grok’s popularity surges in Japan after anime-style AI companion goes viral

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After launching its innovative anime-styled AI buddy named Ani, Grok climbed to the top position on Japan’s App Store.

As a thrilled admirer, I’ve experienced a remarkable spike in the popularity of the chatbot I’m associated with, following its July 14 update. This latest version introduced an exciting new “Companions” feature, and among these digital companions, Ani, a fully-voiced, captivating 3D anime girl, has stolen the show. With her gothic style, lively animations, and multilingual abilities, she’s won over fans like me with her charm and versatility.

Without a doubt, I’ve been swept up in the whirlwind of excitement that’s been ignited by her remarkable debut! It seems as if every corner of social media, from X to Reddit, and even Douyin, has become a buzzing hive of activity. Fans are eagerly sharing their screen recordings, crafting memes, and drawing parallels between this fresh face and beloved characters from the annals of classic anime!

Rapidly rising in fame catapulted Grok to the highest positions within Japan’s App Store charts, maintaining its status as a favorite among users.

Grok skyrockets up Japanese App Store charts

After Ani’s launch on July 14, Grok climbed to the number one spot in Japan’s App Store rankings, however, it has since moved to second place, trailing ChatGPT (as of July 17). This is a significant increase, as information from Sensor Tower shows that Grok was previously the seventh most downloaded app the day before Ani’s release.

Recently, Grok, initially posed as a direct competitor to GPT, has undergone a change in direction by embracing anime themes and aesthetics. This shift coincides with the debut of Grok 4, the latest version of their model, and the introduction of SuperGrok Heavy, a top-tier subscription service costing $300 per month. Ani’s meteoric growth can be attributed to these developments.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 16, 2025

It seems that, out of sight, xAI (the team behind Grok) is putting considerable resources into its anime concept. Notably, they are actively seeking skilled engineers to develop additional anime-like characters, offering competitive salaries that can reach as high as $440,000. Essentially, these funds will be used to create engaging virtual anime companions!

Grok’s unexpected rise in popularity in Japan underscores the increasing interest in AI companions that offer more than just text interaction. It remains to be seen whether this is a fleeting fad or the beginning of a larger movement, but there’s no denying that AI female companions have a strong appeal.

To avoid repeating my experience, refrain from searching for popular Ani posts on Twitter during work hours. Such actions might lead to challenging conversations with your supervisor.

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2025-07-17 16:48