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This has been something that has been bugging me for a while:

**Why are there so many llamas in anime and in anime fan culture?**

Some specific anime examples:

[![Stein's
Gate](https://i.stack.imgur.com/aoaeam.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/aoaeam.jpg)
[![Paca Plus
\(Game\)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Chv3vm.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Chv3vm.png)
[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/ubtAn.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/ubtAn.jpg)

You can buy alpacas at conventions too:

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/EPAJ8m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/EPAJ8m.jpg)

Where is this coming from? **Why do I keep seeing llamas?!** I don't believe
llamas/alpaca are even native to Japan? (Although I did find [a farm in
Nasu](http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g1121057-d1723782-Reviews-
Nasu_Alpaca_Farm-Nasu_machi_Nasu_gun_Tochigi_Prefecture_Kanto.html))


CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-24T18:31:41.510
24329
2020-01-21T19:25:46.957
1530
question
tropes
Why are llamas/alpacas so popular in anime?


@ChenOrihara's link seems to be correct - it's not just an anime thing, there
is an overall trend in Japan that sees alpacas being included in unlikely
situations.

[There's even a company that leases alpacas for
weddings:](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3163656/New-
craze-Japan-sees-couples-hiring-ALPACAS-witnesses-wedding.html)

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/4J5BC.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/4J5BC.jpg)

Their popularity may have been triggered when the [alpaca farm in
Nasu](http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g1121057-d1723782-Reviews-
Nasu_Alpaca_Farm-Nasu_machi_Nasu_gun_Tochigi_Prefecture_Kanto.html) was built
in 1999 - [bringing 200 alpacas into the
country](http://en.japantravel.com/view/the-largest-alpaca-farm-in-japan).
Subsequent farms have been built also. The Nasu farm currently has [>400
alpacas](http://kaorisquarefeet.blogspot.ie/2014/08/the-alpaca-farm-in-
nasu.html)


CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-01T20:50:33.553
24540
2015-09-01T20:50:33.553
1530
24329
answer