Biggest Anime Studios in the World

The anime industry is spreading its influence worldwide. From blockbuster global releases to merchandising deals, popular anime studios are experiencing commercial success like never before. Here is a look at the five biggest anime studios in the world based on their estimated annual revenue.

Bandai Namco Filmworks, formerly known as Sunrise Inc., is one of the most iconic anime studios in the world. It produced anime like Mobile Suit Gundam, Code Geass, and Cowboy Bebop, all of which are commercial and critical successes. The IP Production Unit, which includes anime production and related visual content managed by Bandai Namco Filmworks, generated over $540 million in revenue for the fiscal year ending March 2024.

The studio’s biggest success is the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, which has generated over $20 billion in lifetime revenue from anime, games, Gunpla models, and merchandise. In recent years, Bandai Namco Filmworks has partnered with Netflix to release its projects for the international audience.

MAPPA is a smaller animation studio compared to the likes of Toei and Aniplex, but it has quickly become one of the most successful names in the anime industry. While it initially worked with industry leaders like Toho and Tezuka Productions  to produce Jujutsu Kaisen and Dororo, it has started entirely funding anime on its own for recent titles like Attack on Titan (Season 4) and Chainsaw Man. The studio also worked on movies including Jujutsu Kaisen 0 which collected $196.2 million in the box office. 

MAPPA’s revenue streams are diverse, encompassing not only anime production but also merchandise sales, streaming rights, global licensing, and digital content through platforms like YouTube. This multifaceted approach has enabled the studio to compete with other major players in the animation world. The studio has an estimated annual revenue reaching as high as $120 million USD as of 2025. As of April 2025, MAPPA employs approximately 467 staff across its Tokyo, Osaka, and Sendai offices

As the anime content division of Sony, Aniplex maintains its stature as a global leader in animation. For the fiscal year 2025, Aniplex recorded sales of approximately $920 million USD. Despite a 3.5% year-over-year decline, the company’s operating profit rose by 3.4% to about $151 million USD.

This performance, backed by blockbuster franchises like Demon Slayer and Sword Art Online, keeps Aniplex firmly among the top five anime studios worldwide by revenue.

The studio’s results reflect its vital position in Sony’s entertainment empire, with international licensing and merchandising playing key roles. Subsidiaries such as A-1 Pictures and CloverWorks faced net losses, yet joint ventures like JOEN contributed positively, highlighting Aniplex’s strategic resilience.

Studio Ghibli is one of the most recognisable names in the anime industry. It consistently releases films that dominate both award circuits and the box office. Its most successful movie, Spirited Away, earned over $395 million globally. The Boy and the Heron, which was released in 2023, became North America’s highest-grossing Japanese film and made over $170 million globally.

The studio’s popularity extends beyond just ticket sales. It has granted global streaming rights to Netflix and HBO Max to reach a wider audience. The studio also has a dedicated theme park, novels, official merchandise, and other products that have turned it into a household name among anime lovers.

As a cornerstone of the global anime industry, Toei Animation retained its dominant position in 2025, reporting annual revenue of approximately ¥94.24 billion (~$620 million). Despite facing strong competition, Toei achieved a 13.7% increase in net sales over the previous year, driven by the enduring popularity of franchises like One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Slam Dunk. The studio’s net profit soared 26% to roughly ¥23.6 billion (~$158 million USD), reflecting not just box office success but also remarkable growth in global merchandising and licensing

Toei’s strategy now extends beyond traditional animation, with major investment in artificial intelligence through a joint venture announced in 2025. This innovation aims to boost production efficiency and creativity, consolidating Toei’s reputation as an industry leader poised for the next generation of anime

Aside from these five studios, many other notable animation studios are growing rapidly in the anime industry. Wit Studio and MAPPA have a chance to break into the top five due to their commercial success.