[Dragon.]

Why are childhood friends in anime (not just romance) so popular? Is there a particular reason in the Japanese culture that states that simply because you're childhood friends, you're already very close and open with one another?

I've been wondering this for a while. A Google search yields little to no successful/helpful results. I'd love to know the answer to this. If a member on AA is in Japan/Japanese, perhaps you would be able to explain this concept to me?

[iMew]

If I'd have to take a guess I'd say that it's a solid and easy way to explain how one character got to know another: the viewer is informed that those characters know each other very well and no further explanation is needed. The memories of those characters can also be used to develop them / their relationship easily. It's a win/win.

I could be wrong but to me it just seems like lazy writing for the most part.

[Lyralei]

Osanamajimi is one of my favs, its popular because most weebos like me dream of having a relationship with mai childhood friend which ended up in a friendly frozen fz.

[Jay‌]

Just need to understand the cultural differences.

In America we don't really put emphasis on things like clubs. In Japan things such as Clubs and Sports are mandatory. This helps build really close friendships and as a result we see this told in anime.

In that same aspect, understand that anime is fiction. Of course writers are going to write / animate a series that will appeal to the viewer. This means giving off good vibes / feelings such as close friendship and intimacy.

[Rinqt]

In japan unless you live in a city like tokyo there is a huge chance that your childhood friends become your adulthood friends simple as that. easy way to introduce relationships between characters.

[Lyralei]

In japan unless you live in a city like tokyo there is a huge chance that your childhood friends become your adulthood friends simple as that. easy way to introduce relationships between characters.

Lmao adulthood friends, like that will come in that easily. people change-fast.

[Ciel Phantomhive]

I'm kinda shocked, is no one else from America close friends with the same people they were friends with as little kids?

[Angеl]

I'm kinda shocked, is no one else from America close friends with the same people they were friends with as little kids?

I had some close childhood friends up until college really. It also didn't help that I chose to go to a different highschool than most of my childhood classmates.

[Ciel Phantomhive]

I had some close childhood friends up until college really. It also didn't help that I chose to go to a different highschool than most of my childhood classmates.

Huh. I mean, I've only really got one friend that's been close since we were little, but we've known each other for as long as I can remember.

[Rinqt]

Lmao adulthood friends, like that will come in that easily. people change-fast.

yeah true my childhood friend was a dude now hes a she so i get what you mean but we are still bff's

[Vandie]

Why are childhood friends in anime (not just romance) so popular? Is there a particular reason in the Japanese culture that states that simply because you're childhood friends, you're already very close and open with one another?

I've been wondering this for a while. A Google search yields little to no successful/helpful results. I'd love to know the answer to this. If a member on AA is in Japan/Japanese, perhaps you would be able to explain this concept to me?

well if I think about childhood friends only one person comes to mind my best mate who I have known since I was born(pretty much).Childhood friends IRL do tend to be close as you can't really hide stuff from someone who knows you almost as well as you know yourself...

[Ormr]

Just adding onto the part about childhood friends IRL, like Lyralei said, people change fast, and you also change, so someone you liked to hang around with when you were like 7 might just piss you off now.
I rarely hang around with my childhood friends anymore, and having an animu-like relationship with any one of them is closer to a joke than reality, hue.

And on the topic of why it's popular in animu, I'd bet it's mainly just lazy writing, like others stated. (It provides an easy template to work with, so to say.)