History Main / MultipleDemographicAppeal

* Most of the ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' franchise has a multiple demographic appeal. This may be due to the fact that many of the people who played the original game in their childhood are now in their twenties/thirties and it's nostalgia setting in. In addition, the series attracts new fans for its SceneryPorn, music, DarkerAndEdgier stories (though they're [[LighterAndSofter going back ]] [[CerebusRollercoaster and forth]] on that one recently), {{Fanservice}}, and Sonic's badass attitude making the series enjoyable for kids and young adults alike.

* Music/DavidBowie is equally popular among regular pop and rock fans, as well as alternative rock lovers.

* Music/TheBeatles appeal to both children and adults, males and females and both fans of mainstream pop music, as well as alternative rock fans.

* Aka Akasaka has stated in interviews that ''Manga/KaguyaSamaLoveIsWar'' was deliberately written to be as inclusive as possible with potential readers and the reason why it lacks any fanservice elements (which are normally a staple of seinen romcoms) is so that younger children would also be able to read it.

* {{Anime}} and {{manga}} in general outside of Japan have become increasingly popular with girls and women over the last decade; where once it was the domain of boys and sci-fi geeks, titles like ''Franchise/SailorMoon'' and ''Manga/InuYasha'' helped bring girls into the fold; now girls and women constitute a sizable portion of the international fanbase. Moreover, thanks to wider distribution of titles and the proliferation of the Internet, anime fandom has spread across nearly every national, linguistic or ethnic boundary.

* The main reason why ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' was and still is so popular is that it appealed to such a broad spectrum. Boys liked it for the battles and the explosions, while girls liked it because the {{Mon}}s (and sometimes the humans) were just so darned cute.

* Guys watch ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'' because of the [[TheMafia gangsters]], the [[{{Gorn}} violence]], the JigsawPuzzlePlot, and its resemblance to ''Film/PulpFiction''. Girls watch ''Baccano!'' for the gangsters, the violence, the JigsawPuzzlePlot, its resemblance to ''Film/PulpFiction'' and (as both reviews and advertisements are keen to point out) the [[MrFanservice surplus of hot men]] [[SharpDressedMan in suits]].

* ''LightNovel/ListenToMeGirlsIAmYourFather'' is not only suited for all demographics, the publisher ''demands it to be for all demographics''; this series of LightNovels about a young man suddenly finding himself as the legal guardian of his three nieces has spawned ''six'' manga adaptations, two for each demographic: 2 {{Shounen}}, 2 {{Seinen}} and 2 {{Shoujo}}.

* {{Josei}} magazine ''Comic Gene'' is a master of this. With stories that range all over the genre spectrum, from hotblooded action (''Manga/{{Servamp}}'') to supernatural coming-of-age stories (''LightNovel/KagerouDaze'', ''Nirvana'') to down-to-earth work comedy (''Manga/MrNietzscheInTheConvenienceStore''), the magazine has something for both boys and girls to enjoy. The diversity in lineup means it also can be used as a nice break for female readers that want genres usually written for boys to be sent their way directly. It's even invoked on the creators' part, as they wanted to "blur the lines between Shonen and Shoujo", meaning they're also getting at the teens that might be reading it alongside the adults.

* Creator/{{Pixar}} is known for making movies that appeal to parents as well as children. The ''Franchise/ToyStory'' series is an especially clear example of this; the initial main concept (LivingToys) sounds on the surface like something that is just for children, but as the series goes on, the concept is explored in more depth and eventually treated in a way that has its own meaning for adults. For example, the toys feel about their owner leaving like parents feel about their kids leaving, which is hinted at very strongly, [[spoiler:especially towards the end of ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3'']]. And much like the Literature/HarryPotter example below, those who were children when the first movie came out would be young adults by the time the third was released, maybe even about to go off to college themselves. ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'' is another good Pixar example of this. ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'' is yet another good Pixar example of this having elements that appeal to preteens and teens given its subject matter and their Millennial parents given its setting.
* Most post-''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'' animated films in the US aim for this by inserting swarms of pop culture references, self-mockery, and jokes that only adults will get, with widely varying degrees of success.

* When Music/MichaelJackson's ''Music/{{Thriller}}'' became the best-selling album of all time it was save to say that this record had also reached a multiple demographic appeal. People of all races bought it. Soul and R&B fans were ecstatic. Lovers of catchy dance music played and danced to it in clubs. Rock and metal fans were converted because of the inclusion of "Beat It", which has a guitar solo by [[Music/VanHalen Eddie Van Halen]]. Children, adults and older people also enjoyed listening to it.
* Music/LouisArmstrong had this effect on music fans too. Both people who love traditional jazz as well as fans of more experimental forms of jazz look up to him. Fans of big band, crooners and easy listening music enjoy Armstrong's work and even people who don't particularly like jazz are easily charmed by his delightful trumpet solos, melodies and stage antics.
* Music/BobMarley has also reached a world wide audience over the decades since his death. He is popular world wide, especially in the Third World, but even in the West people find his work irresistible. Children adore the sing-a-long melodies, teenagers consider Bob to be a "cool rebel", adults appreciate his socially conscious messages and very melodious and powerful songs. The general public enjoys him as easy listening music, while fans of alternative music also like Marley. Even people who don't like reggae often do own a copy of ''Music/{{Legend}}'', because to them Marley is "the exception".
* Music/{{Queen}} is a band whose output has something for everyone: fun hedonistic songs, SillyLoveSongs, hard rock, calm ballads, and an oft-baroque sound best exemplified by layered vocals (leading the cover artist for ''Music/NewsOfTheWorld'' to be astounded that this rock band managed to be appealing to a classic music buff such as him). A great indicator of how big their reach gets is [[Film/BohemianRhapsody their biopic]] making as much money as a superhero movie.

* Celtic punk bands often attract older fans of Irish and Scottish Traditional Folk, as well as their more typical young, punk-orientated fan base.

* Music/{{Vocaloid}}: Originally a software for professional musicians who can't sing or don't have a vocalist, it evolved into a phenomenon anyone, people of all ages and genders, could contribute to, whether through writing songs, drawing art, or even just making covers. Hatsune Miku and Crypton Future Media's Piapro characters deserve special mention for appealing to ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE. When officially licensed products include the likes of scale figures, liquor, makeup, an opera, food, and children's toys, all featuring the same group of characters, you know you've got a [[CashCowFranchise Cash Cow]] on your hands. Hatsune Miku is so popular with adults and children alike, that recent concerts in Japan have separate daytime showings for younger fans.

* Much of the 50-year success of ''Series/SesameStreet'' can be its intentional ParentService; it was once quipped that the show "entertains parents so much they force the kids to watch."
** This trope is invoked because the research informing production indicates that children are more able to take in the show if they watch it alongside their adult caregivers.
* For that matter, ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' was meant to appeal to all ages, not just kids or adults.

** The {{Tagline}} for ''VideoGame/{{Earthbound}}'' in Japan was "Children, adults, and even young women".

* Ever know why ''VideoGame/{{JustDance}}'' is a big success? Many players, young and old alike love to listen different kinds of songs in different genres. Rock and Metal fans love to dance with ''The Final Countdown'' and ''Don't Stop Me Now'' from Europe and Queen, Street dancers with rap fances for the Hip-hop stuff and others. Even Michael Jackson fans bought the spin-off based on the songs from the late King of Pop too.

* ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'' is the same way. While the original digital pets were intended to be a boyish alternative to Franchise/{{Tamagotchi}}, ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' clearly appealed to more than just young boys. The aversion of TheSmurfettePrinciple with the main cast and strong, well-written female characters (and like Pokemon, [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter the cute mons]]) made it appeal to young girls as well, and the surprisingly well-written story ensured a strong adult and teen following since practically the beginning. Despite being both kid-friendly (for the most part) and anime, it's usually not one to shy away from epic fights to the death either.

* ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'' was serialized in both shonen and seinen magazines, so it appeals to both age ranges, and the good looking guys and well-written female character gave it a huge following with women as well. The SpaceWestern setting [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff also heavily appealed to non-Japanese viewers]]. The official Japanese website for the movie described the series as being popular "across genders and borders".

* ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'', while it may have failed at being popular, primarily draws inspiration from ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' and ''Anime/SailorMoon'', two very different series, and thus could have appeal to fans of either or both, and balances romance and epic battles; along with decent writing for much of the first four seasons. Its relatively small fandom consists of people of various ages and both genders (where many think you have to be the same gender as the show's protagonists' to enjoy it, it has a team of supporting male protagonists fighting alongside the all female Winx team, plus male viewers would find Bloom and Stella attractive and enjoy the {{Fanservice}} provided by [[BareMidriffsAreFeminine the girls' midriff-baring outfits]]), although for some of the later seasons Rainbow lowered the demographic for a rather flimsy reason, alienating what little fans they had.

* ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'', while it may have failed at being popular, primarily draws inspiration from ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' and ''Anime/SailorMoon'', two very different series, and thus could have appeal to fans of either or both, and balances romance and epic battles; along with decent writing for much of the first four seasons. Its relatively small fandom consists of people of various ages and both genders (where many think you have to be the same gender as the show's protagonists' to enjoy it, it has a team of supporting male protagonists fighting alongside the all female Winx team, plus male viewers would find Bloom and Stella attractive and it is the master of BareYourMidriff), although for some of the later seasons Rainbow lowered the demographic for a rather flimsy reason, alienating what little fans they had.

-->-- '''Damon Lindelof''', co-creator and executive producer of ''Series/{{Lost}}''

** The slogan for the ''Tintin'' weekly comics magazine was actually "The magazine for the youth from 7 to 77" and was so well-known that the phrase "for people aged 7 to 77" is still often used in French to describe anything with a multigenerational appeal.

If Multiple Demographic Appeal is misinterpreted, ExecutiveMeddling may result to make it more appealing to one of the "extra" demographics — while removing what made it appeal to the original core audience. See also LowestCommonDenominator, a derogatory term for trying to appeal to as wide a demographic as possible, and ParentalBonus, where kids' shows include elements to make parents enjoy watching as well. UncertainAudience is when this is done in a way that results in the appeals to various demographics coming in conflict with one another.

* ''Comicbook/MonicasGang'' is ostensibly made for children, with a sizeable portion of Brazil's population having learned to read with it. But it always had something to also make for a fun read to parents and grown-ups, be it ParentalBonus, BlackComedy, or send-offs to popular media aimed at older audiences, such as [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/monica/images/1/15/Predadorzinho.gif/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/550?cb=20101028165951&path-prefix=pt-br a story with a child version of the]] Franchise/{{Predator}}. The older fanbase even started complaining that in TheNewTens most of the new comics seemed to be aimed only at very young children, with a tendency for the didactic and moral, while simplifying the plots, dialogue and characterization.

* The creators of the '60s ''Series/Batman1966'' series did this deliberately. UsefulNotes/{{The Silver Age|of Comic Books}} was in full swing in the comicbooks, so the producers adapted it to TV so that children 10 and under would watch because Batman was a cool superhero -- while anyone over 16 would watch because he was {{camp}}y and hilarious.

* ''Anime/DiGiCharat'' has had {{shounen}} (The original series and most of the [=OVAs=]), {{shoujo}} (''[[Anime/PanyoPanyoDiGiCharat Panyo Panyo]]''), {{kodomomuke}} (''[[Anime/DiGiCharatNyo Nyo!]]'') and {{seinen}} (''Winter Garden'') adaptations.

* ''Literature/HarryPotter''. Partly because the fantasy elements have general appeal for people of all ages, partly because Creator/JKRowling specifically intended the books to grow up with their audience, and partly because someone who read the first book as a child when it was released in 1997 would have been a young adult by the time the final one was released in 2007. This last is why criticisms of adults reading ''Harry Potter'' verge on CriticalResearchFailure, because by that logic hardly anyone who read the first book when it came out ''would have been able to finish the series''. More specifically, the wondrous, imaginative setting appeals to children, the EpicFantasy elements appeal to adventure lovers, the detailed relationships appeal to romance lovers, the complex mysteries and sharp (and occasionally subversive) wit appeal to adults, and the colorful characters and exciting plot developments appeal to everyone.

* ''Anime/DiGiCharat'' has had {{shounen}} (The original series and most of the OVAs), {{shoujo}} (Panyo Panyo), {{kodomomuke}} (Nyo) and {{seinen}} (Winter Garden) adaptations.

* Creator/HannaBarbera thrived for so long because of their wide appeal. Kids liked the colorful characters, slapstick humor, and action, while parents liked the witty writing and celebrity references. Some good examples are ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones'', ''WesternAnimation/TheJetsons'', ''WesternAnimation/TopCat'', ''WesternAnimation/JonnyQuest'', and ''WesternAnimation/DynomuttDogWonder''.

* Creator/{{Pixar}} is known for making movies that appeal to parents as well as children. The ''Franchise/ToyStory'' series is an especially clear example of this; the initial main concept (LivingToys) sounds on the surface like something that is just for children, but as the series goes on, the concept is explored in more depth and eventually treated in a way that has its own meaning for adults. For example, the toys feel about their owner leaving like parents feel about their kids leaving, which is hinted at very strongly, [[spoiler:especially towards the end of ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3'']]. And much like the Literature/HarryPotter example below, those who were children when the first movie came out would be young adults by the time the third was released, maybe even about to go off to college themselves. ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'' is another good Pixar example of this.

* Creator/BlueSkyStudios' movies such as ''WesternAnimation/IceAge'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Rio}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/Epic2013'' appeal to people of all ages, and it's especially obvious that ''WesternAnimation/IceAge'' has a Multiple Demographic Appeal, since they are widely acclaimed for appealing to all audiences for having mature stories and themes and Creator/BlueSkyStudios' fine adaptations of books like ''Literature/HortonHearsAWho'' has given them a widespread fanbase: both children, teens and adults love their movies. A glance at Tumblr's tag for ''Epic'' quickly reveals that ''Epic'' (like ''WesternAnimation/IceAge'' before it) captivated both teens and adults.

* The success of ''Film/TheExpendables'' and the failure of ''Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld'' is now considered an example of trying to play the demographics game and losing. The movies were released on the same week with the expectation of very little overlap between the target audiences: ''Scott Pilgrim'' would attract younger audiences, whereas ''The Expendables,'' with its heavy nostalgia for 80's action movies (including multiple 80's action movie stars) would draw in older audiences. One thing they didn't consider was that, thanks to home video and syndication on cable, the younger set liked 80's movies just as much as their dads and older brothers. As such, ''The Expendables'' was a surprise hit while ''Scott Pilgrim'' (which already had some ContinuityLockout and AudienceAlienatingPremise problems) underperformed.

* ''Film/{{Armageddon}}'' sought this as a calculated marketing ploy: while Creator/BruceWillis and company flying into space to save the world by nuking a giant asteroid was a clear draw for a male demographic, they decided to play up the romance between Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler's characters to draw in the female audience too.