Netflix Anime Viewership Surges, Growing 10 Times Faster Than Other Shows

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It’s worth noting that Anime content on Netflix is rapidly expanding at a rate approximately ten times greater than other content on the platform. However, this explosive growth doesn’t seem to be fully reaping benefits for Netflix. The majority of trending anime on Netflix aren’t exclusive shows produced by them, and even fewer are where Netflix holds complete production rights.

In his most recent publication, Rob Pereyda, an expert on anime trends, expressed thoughts echoing observations made by many. His point is that the international success of an anime can heavily rely on its financial supporters.

If a show doesn’t have the backing of prominent publishers such as Shueisha, Shogakukan, Kodansha, or Kadokawa, or isn’t distributed by significant platforms like Crunchyroll or Netflix, its potential for achieving international success may be less predictable.

In a recent discussion, Pereyda noted that the landscape of anime is evolving. Traditional manga isn’t the sole source material any longer, and the market for anime merchandise is becoming increasingly intricate. Although Crunchyroll continues to dominate the streaming scene for anime, publishers are exploring the idea of taking more control over marketing, rather than depending heavily on Crunchyroll.

Recently, both Amazon and Disney are drawing focus from publishing houses, which could potentially overshadow some anime productions. However, this shift could also broaden the reach of these shows to a larger audience in the long run.

Additionally, he discusses the concept of “separating” or “independence” in the animation industry. This implies that popular anime series may not necessarily generate high sales in physical retail, while lesser-known, specialized shows can unexpectedly yield substantial profits due to their devoted audience base. Pereyda’s study offers insights into the intricate dance between shrewd business decisions and the unforeseeable outcomes characteristic of the modern animation industry today.

According to Netflix’s own data, it appears that anime has grown significantly in popularity on their streaming service. Following this year’s Anime Expo, Netflix disclosed that more than half of its global user base watches anime, which equates to approximately 150 million individuals worldwide.

Over the past five years, the number of people watching anime on Netflix has more than tripled. In just one year (2024), as many as 33 anime series found their way onto Netflix’s Global Top 10 list. During this event, they also announced plans for a second season of Cyberpunk Edgerunners and indicated that they intend to remain an influential force in the anime streaming market.

An intriguing detail Netflix disclosed is that approximately 90% of their viewers opt for watching anime with dubbing. This isn’t surprising given that numerous well-known series now simultaneously release dubbed and original Japanese episodes.

As a passionate anime enthusiast, I’ve been thrilled to see shows like My Happy Marriage, Dandadan, and Delicious in Dungeon debut with dubbed versions right from the get-go! Netflix has truly gone above and beyond for global fans by offering up to 33 different subtitles and languages for their anime titles, ensuring that everyone can enjoy these captivating stories regardless of their language background.

It’s evident that anime is experiencing rapid growth and significantly altering the approach of streaming services such as Netflix, catering to a dedicated and enthusiastic fanbase. As the anime realm broadens, it will be intriguing to observe how these platforms and publishers evolve to maintain viewer satisfaction and ensure the industry’s continued success.

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2025-08-05 09:44