A historically liberal-leaning community, the people of the Suginami ward of Tokyo place a high value on the environment, crime prevention without increased policing, opposition to nationalist policies, and resistance to privatization of public services.

Suginami is home to a large number of anime studios, pairing well with Nerima, its neighbor to the north; the city is home to a notable animation museum.

While crime rates in the ward have been dropping lower and lower over the past two decades with the implementation of community-focused policies, it is not entirely without violence. Rumors abound of yakuza activities in the suburban districts of the western Iogi Area, including reports of metahumans with abilities ranging from superhuman athleticism, to giant size.