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The Odagiri Effect: 5 irresistible male leads who prove its power

From British dramas to anime, here’s how attractive male leads are driving unexpected audience trends worldwide.

The Odagiri Effect: 5 irresistible male leads who prove its power

From brooding heroes to charming rogues, the Odagiri Effect is reshaping global entertainment

Instagram/Anime
Pooja Pillai
By Pooja PillaiFeb 20, 2025
Pooja Pillai
Pooja was born in Kochi and raised on a mix of newspapers, pop culture, and too many questions. She studied Communicative English and Journalism before earning her Master’s in Journalism from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and began her career interning at The Times of India and Channel I'M — where she later became a news anchor, scripting and presenting her own stories. Between deadlines, she’s worked across digital media platforms, covering politics, gender, pop culture, cinema, and everything in between. She has interviewed actors, creators, and changemakers, and occasionally edits her own video content — thanks to being certified in Photoshop and InDesign. In 2025, she joined the Asian Media Group in her first “official” newsroom gig, where she now covers entertainment, lifestyle, and the layered realities of South Asian identity. She believes storytelling should feel personal — even when it’s public — and likes to write not to please, but to provoke, question, and occasionally stir the pot.
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The Odagiri Effect, named after Japanese actor Joe Odagiri, is a fascinating phenomenon where TV shows and media attract a larger-than-expected female audience due to the presence of attractive male leads. While initially observed in Japan, this trend has gone global, influencing everything from Western dramas to anime. This trend has gone global, and in 2025, it’s become stronger than ever, proving that women’s desire for compelling, visually appealing male characters is a market force to be reckoned with.


The face behind the Odagiri Effect—Joe Odagiri’s unique appeal continues to influence entertainment trends worldwideGetty Images

But while the effect has undeniable benefits expanding the audience of shows beyond their intended demographics, it also raises questions about representation, realism, and gender expectations in media. Here are five of the biggest shows that exemplify the Odagiri Effect, particularly among British Asian audiences.

1. Ross Poldark from Poldark

Aidan Turner’s brooding portrayal of Ross Poldark has been a magnet for female viewers since the show’s debut. The final season in 2025 has only amplified his appeal, with shirtless scenes and romantic tension driving viewership. British Asian audiences, in particular, have embraced the show’s blend of historical drama and steamy romance, making it a cultural staple.


Aidan Turner’s Ross Poldark—smouldering stares, shirtless scenes, and a fan frenzy that won’t quit.Instagram/timeperiodfilm


2. Jonathan Pine from The Night Manager

Tom Hiddleston’s suave performance as Jonathan Pine continues to draw female fans. The 2025 revival of this spy thriller has reignited interest, with Hiddleston’s charm and a certain infamous "naked buttocks" scene still trending. Its international appeal, especially among women highlights the Odagiri Effect’s impact.


"Tom Hiddleston’s Jonathan Pine—suave, mysterious, and still making hearts race in 2025Instagram/thenightmanagertv


3. Yuri!!! on Ice

What started as a figure-skating anime has grown into a global phenomenon. This sports anime has always had a massive female following, thanks to its attractive male leads and subtle romantic undertones. The 2025 movie release has reignited the fandom, with fans swooning over the chemistry between Viktor Nikiforov and Yuri Katsuki.


From the rink to the big screen—Yuri!!! on Ice continues to captivate hearts worldwideInstagram/yurionice


4. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

While primarily a shonen anime, Demon Slayer has attracted a significant female audience due to its cast of handsome characters like Tanjiro, Giyu, and Rengoku. The 2025 release of a new arc has further boosted its popularity, with female fans dominating fan polls and merchandise sales. Its emotional storytelling and stunning animation resonate deeply with British Asian viewers.


"Blade meets beauty—Demon Slayer's handsome heroes keep fans enchantedInstagram/demon_slayer_offcial


5. The Royal Tutor

The live-action adaptation of this popular anime has become a global sensation. With its cast of bishonen (pretty boy) princes, the show has drawn a large female fanbase, particularly in British Asian communities. The deliberate use of attractive male leads makes it a textbook example of the Odagiri Effect in modern media.


Royal charm meets reality—The Royal Tutor live-action captivates audiences worldwideInstagram/Alwaysanime

The Bigger Picture

The Odagiri Effect isn’t just about eye candy—it’s proof that female audiences have serious sway in shaping what the world watches. For too long, the industry assumed women would settle for whatever was served up. Now, they’re making it clear: they know what they want, and they’re showing up for it.

The man who inspired a phenomenon, redefining how attractive male leads shape global audiencesGetty Images

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Are these shows truly giving women better representation, or just flipping the gaze in a different direction? And in anime, does the idealisation of male characters sometimes cross into problematic territory, especially in BL and Yaoi genres?

Still, one thing is certain—the Odagiri Effect is no longer just a fleeting niche trend. It is reshaping the global entertainment landscape, ensuring that women’s tastes and preferences are finally taking centre stage.

female audience attractionglobal influencejoe odagirithe night manageranime trendpoldarkyuri!!! on icedemon slayer: kimetsu no yaibathe royal tutorodagiri effect

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