‘Quit it all’? Michael B. Jordan would rather just make anime

Michael B. Jordan’s anime origin story goes back to Newark, where he says he used to sneak into his church basement to watch Dragon Ball Z on TV. That lifelong obsession is now shaping his next moves: in a recent conversation with Vogue, Jordan said anime isn’t just a hobby anymore — it’s the lane he wants to drive in.

“I might just quit it all and make anime the rest of my life.”

He made the remark playfully, but added that a few anime-related projects are already in early development. He didn’t name any titles, and framed anime not as a side passion but as a creative engine that’s increasingly steering his choices.

Anime already in the ring

Jordan has been open about blending anime into his filmmaking, especially while directing and starring in Creed III. He pulled from the visual language and pacing of fight scenes he loves and translated that into the boxing choreography on screen, citing these series as touchstones:

• Naruto
• My Hero Academia
• Hajime no Ippo

Next up: live action

Jordan isn’t limiting himself to animation. In a 2025 interview with Vulture, he said he’s actively looking for an anime property he can adapt into a live-action feature and direct himself — a project he described as a way to “cleanse the palette” between other commitments.

He’s also talked up specific favorites, calling Fate/stay night “phenomenal,” and has said he wants to produce and direct more projects in the animation/anime space. For now, he hasn’t announced what those early-development titles are or when they might land.