By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
Rêveur on 16 March 2017
Edit Thread

The french were heavily exposed to japanese culture in the 80's and 90's. Shows like Bioman, Maskman, and Liveman became heavily popular in the late 80's, as did japanese anime's like Kyaputen Tsubasa (Olive et Tom), Heidi, Princesse Sarah, Ie Naki Ko (Rémi sans famille), Nicky Larson, Tom Sawyer and others. And shows like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball of course also had a big following. I think this influence left a lasting impression on people who grew up during that time period.

In the late 90's, games like Final Fantasy VII (the first Final Fantasy game translated in french, if I'm not mistaken) left a heavy impression on french gamers. This is also the period where games (at least from the big companies) started being regularly localized in french, as this was not the case before. The 90's and early 2000's was the golden age of japanese games and as such, japanese games heavily marked french gamers of that period. If japanese games remain popular, it's in part because of nolstalgia from this period.

The french are also one of the nerdiest peoples. The notion of "cool" doesn't really exist, so people are free to enjoy stuff without being shamed by peers for it. France has become the second market for manga or manga-inspired comics (many being written and drawn by french people and don't have anything to do with Japan). And France has also become the "champion" of reportive books on games, with companies like Pix'N Love releasing books on the history of Nintendo, Zelda, or other aspects of gaming and many of these books have been translated and released in other countries.

http://www.gamekult.com/actu/la-france-championne-du-monde-des-livres-de-jeu-video-A172683.html

I think it has to do with being exposed to it at the height of the Japanese culture, when japanese anime, manga and games were still good. Other countries were not as heavily marked by this. And the culture in France that's not too concerned with "cool" or being "in" also helped a lot. Now, many of those from that golden age are having kids and passing on their interests.