The 1980s and 1990s witnessed the dawn of Japan's pop idol era, with the emergence of groups like Akina Nakamori, Anri, and the iconic boy band, SMAP. This period also saw the growth of anime and manga, with series like "Dragon Ball," "Sailor Moon," and "Akira" gaining international recognition. The 1990s and 2000s saw the rise of video games, with companies like Sony, Nintendo, and Capcom dominating the global market.