Anime Market Regional Analysis

Why is Asia Pacific Leading Anime Market in 2024? 

The Asia Pacific region dominates the worldwide anime market, with more than 60% of all revenue for 2024, and remains on top based on a number of significant reasons. Japan is the hub of anime production, with a rich history, highly developed animation facilities, and recognized titles worldwide that fuel domestic as well as overseas consumption. Similarly, China and South Korea are expanding their anime markets rapidly through local productions, streaming licenses, & growing fanbases. Southeast Asia is also witnessing an increase in anime adoption, fueled by deepening internet penetration, youth, and cultural adaptation. Coupled with rising investments in streaming platforms and wholesome merchandise sales, Asia Pacific's well-developed anime ecosystem and growing regional influence further validate its supremacy in the global market. 

Japan Anime Market 

Japan's anime industry is poised to expand up to USD 32,726.4 million by 2032. The expansion is fueled by increasing global demand growing investment in films, innovation in technology, and tourism involving anime. The anime film industry continues to expand with The First Slam Dunk earning over $250 million worldwide in 2023 and Makoto Shinkai’s "Suzume" surpassing $320 million. These achievements are inspiring studios to make theatrical releases their top sources of revenue. Technological advancements are also altering the landscape. Major studios such as Toei Animation and MAPPA are using AI-aided animation, improving efficiency without sacrificing classic hand-drawn techniques. Timeless reboots such as "Urusei Yatsura" (2022-2024) and "Rurouni Kenshin" (2023) are surfing the wave of nostalgia and appealing to new generations. Anime tourism remains an important economic driver, with places such as Akihabara, Ikebukuro, and Kyoto Animation Studio drawing millions of tourists. The expansion of the Ghibli Park in 2023 further enhanced tourism, solidifying the cultural and economic power of anime in Japan. 

China Anime Market 

China's indigenous anime sector, or donghua, has gained popularity. Critically acclaimed hits like "The King's Avatar," "Fog Hill of Five Elements," and "Link Click" have received extensive recognition both domestically and internationally. Top streaming services like Bilibili, Tencent Video, and iQIYI persist in heavily investing in original donghua series. In 2023 alone, Bilibili invested more than $150 million on producing new Chinese animated projects, which underscores the high-growth prospects of the industry. Despite official censorship of foreign content, Japanese anime is wildly popular in China. Titles like "Demon Slayer," "One Piece," and "Jujutsu Kaisen" consistently dominate most-watched programs on video platforms. Chinese anime fans passionately embrace anime culture through fan clubs, cosplay events, and large conventions such as ChinaJoy and Bilibili World, which attract millions of attendees annually. 

Why is Craze for Anime Fueling Growth in North America? 

Second-largest market North America is also experiencing broad growth, led by streaming platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu. Netflix also reported that over 100 million households worldwide watched anime in 2023, showing the width of its popularity. Growth in the region is anticipated to be at a 9.6% CAGR to reach $14.08 billion by 2032, supported by increased licensing deals, theatrical releases of anime titles, and a robust collectibles segment.  

U.S. Anime Market 

The most significant anime consumer base consists of young adults aged between 18 and 24 years and contributes to 39% of the whole audience. This generation is introduced to anime at a young age because more and more people have access to anime via various online media outlets and cultural exposure that causes Japanese animation to gain more popularity. Streaming media has played the most crucial role in the growing popularity of anime in America. Netflix is the most popular platform for anime watching, and 76% of the viewers make use of it to watch their TV show and movies. The on-demand streaming has offered access to anime than ever before, allowing the audience to indulge in a broad range of types. Having the ability to access anime on major streaming platforms has also appealed to new audiences who may not have otherwise taken the time to do so.  

Canada Anime Market 

Another primary driver is expansion in anime events and fan conventions such as Anime North that build up community engagement and enable fans to engage with their favorite properties. Such occurrences also boost the sale of merchandise propelling the market higher in general. Innovation in animation technology and the blend of virtual and augmented reality are revolutionizing the creation and consumption of anime into more immersive experiences that engage viewers. 

How is Europe Maintaining its Dominance in Anime Industry? 

Europe sustains its strong presence in the anime industry through a mix of cultural appreciation, encouraging regulatory regimes, and strong distribution networks. France, Italy, and Germany have traditionally welcomed Japanese animation, with France being among the biggest anime markets outside Asia. European broadcasters and streaming services aggressively license and dub anime programming both making it easily available in local languages. Anime conventions, increasing fan bases, and schools of animation studies further increase the genre's exposure. Plus, European Japanese collaborative productions, increasing merchandising and theatrical releases, add to continued demand and growth throughout the region. 

United Kingdome Anime Market 

The United Kingdom's anime market is undergoing robust expansion driven by growing consumer demand and booming collectibles markets. One of the main forces behind this growth is increasing demand for "kidult" toys—collectibles that target customers 12 and older—worth £1 billion in sales last year, up £57 million from 2023. This increased cultural acceptance of collectibles has had institutions such as the V&A Museum employing advisers for Lego and Pokémon memorabilia, recognizing their place in contemporary pop culture. Chinese retail chains such as MiniSo and Pop Mart have also impacted the UK market. MiniSo, which deals in anime-themed plushies, homewares, and cosmetics, has grown to 29 stores since its launch in the UK in 2019.  

Germany Anime Market 

The German anime market has experienced expansion, making the nation one of the leading European markets for anime. Reason behind Germany as a leading European market for anime is fueled by increasing demand and cultural integration. Online streaming platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll have significantly enhanced anime accessibility, with numerous German dubbed and subtitled content. This has helped grow the popularity of anime, pushing it into the mainstream market. The merchandising craze is another key driver, with merchandise, clothing, and memorabilia related to anime being sought after. Growth has been fueled by specialty retailers, online retailers, and fan conventions, pushing the commercial power of anime even further.