Highlights
- The global anime market is forecast to grow to $93.49B by 2031, expanding at a 16.43% CAGR.
- OTT platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll are accelerating global demand.
- AI integration, webtoon adaptations, and donghua growth are reshaping production.
The global anime industry is set to expand rapidly over the next decade, with the market projected to reach $93.49 billion USD by 2031, according to a report published by Research and Markets. The analysis, covering data from 2021 and forecasting till 2031, underscores anime’s transformation from a niche cultural product to a mainstream entertainment sector with broad commercial appeal.
The growth is a result of multiple revenue streams, including television and film distribution, merchandise licensing, and digital streaming. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.43% from roughly $37.53B in 2025 over the period till 2031.
Key industry stakeholders include a mix of Japanese studios and global media platforms. Among those profiled in the report are Sony Group Corporation, Netflix, Toei Animation, NVIDIA, and Bandai Namco, underscoring how anime’s growth is linked to both production and global distribution.
OTT Streaming Drives Anime Market Growth
A primary engine of the anime market’s rapid growth is the widespread adoption of over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms. Services such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Amazon Prime Video have drastically expanded anime’s global footprint.
Netflix has become a major anime platform, with roughly half of its global subscribers engaging with anime content, translating over 150M viewers worldwide, the streaming company revealed in 2025. Anime also accounted for 4% viewing time on the OTT.
Meanwhile, Sony’s Crunchyroll crossed 15M monthly subscribers in 2024, emerging as a dedicated home for anime outside Japan. The OTT platforms have reduced reliance on broadcast systems and unlocked new revenue streams from licensing fees, co-productions, and subscription fees.
While streaming creates the demand for anime globally, licensed merchandise has become a counterpoint for anime IPs. A strategy to diversify anime IPs through physical goods such as collectibles, video games, and apparel stabilizes the economic growth. Bandai Namco Holdings’ Financial Highlights for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2024, reported that the Dragon Ball franchise generated ¥140.6B (~$912.25M) through such initiatives.
Emerging Anime Market Trends Reshaping Production
The anime ecosystem is evolving beyond traditional television and film formats, driven by genre innovation and technological integration. One notable industry trend observed in production is the adaptation of webtoons and manhwa (South Korea’s digital comic formats) into anime series.
Sony Group Corporation reported in 'Business Segment Presentation & Fireside Chat 2025' (published in June 2025) that the adaptation of the webtoon Solo Leveling had become the most-viewed title on Crunchyroll, as of March 2025.
Webtoons and manhwa are bridging Eastern storytelling styles with global audience preferences, and bringing mobile-native narratives into animation pipelines. Additionally, China’s donghua (domestic Chinese anime) market is gaining popularity, with the market projected to reach $4.6 billion by 2030.
Along with the outsourcing of source material, technological change is also reshaping production. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being increasingly deployed to streamline workflows, particularly in tasks like in-between animation and background rendering, addressing time constraints and other production gaps.
Structural and Operational Challenges for the Anime Market Ahead
Despite the predicted market value of $93.49B, the anime market faces notable structural challenges, such as chronic labor deficiency and resource shortages. The resource segment already suffers from the industry’s finite capacity to produce, which is further intensified by high turnover rates among anime industry professionals.
Additionally, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) recently flagged consistent transactional and contractual issues in Japan’s anime sector. Research and Markets also cited a 2024 study from the Nippon Anime & Film Culture Association, which noted that roughly 37.7% of anime production professionals earned a monthly income below ¥200K ($1296.57).
The discontent among workers and structural issues faced in the production line result in frequent delays, which have been preventing the industry from fully realizing its revenue potential.
The anime market’s projected surge through 2031 reflects a fundamental shift in global entertainment dynamics, as previously highlighted by the famous anime Sword Art Online director, Tomohiko Ito. He underscored that even though anime has the potential to rival Hollywood, the production issues are likely to undermine anime’s creative value.
Nonetheless, sustaining this trajectory will depend on how the industry tackles labor issues and distribution challenges, including piracy and unauthorized distribution.
