The anime industry in Japan has grown rapidly, becoming one of the important pillars in the country's creative economy. Its growing popularity not only domestically but also globally, makes anime one of Japan's most recognizable cultural products.
A Brief History of the Anime Industry in Japan
Anime has a long history that dates back to the early 20th century, but it only achieved global popularity in the 1960s. Works such as Astro Boy and Dragon Ball paved the way for Japanese anime to be widely recognized outside of Japan, building fandoms that spread across the globe. Anime evolved into more than just entertainment; the genre reflected Japan's distinctive culture and creativity, strengthening the country's cultural identity in the eyes of the world. This history laid a strong foundation for the growth of anime, which has now evolved into a valuable industry in the digital age.
Anime Industry Ecosystem and Transformation
The anime industry in Japan encompasses a wide range of parties, from production studios to distributors and digital platforms that play an important role in bringing anime to a global audience. In recent years, premium video on demand (VOD) services have increasingly become a key channel for audiences to enjoy anime. Data shows that anime has a significant share in premium VOD engagement in Japan, reaching 36% of total engagement in the first nine months of 2024. In addition, of the 200 most popular titles on VOD platforms, 117 are anime, confirming the high audience interest in the genre.
Besides VOD, user-generated content or User-Generated Content (UGC), such as videos uploaded on the YouTube platform, has also contributed significantly to the growth of online video in Japan. A recent report projects that online video revenue in Japan will reach US$15.3 billion by 2029, driven by user-generated content and social videos. This trend opens up opportunities for anime and other video content to reach a wider audience.
Major Revenue Sources in the Anime Industry
The anime industry generates revenue from various sources, including streaming, TV viewing, and movie theaters. By 2023, the anime industry revenue in Japan was recorded at US$2.5 billion, with streaming accounting for half of the total monetization, while TV contributed 27%. This shows a shift towards digital platforms as the main channel for monetization of anime content, while television continues to play a significant role.
In addition, a report from Teikoku Databank shows that the value of the anime production industry in Japan reached 339.02 billion yen (approximately US$2.36 billion) in 2023, a growth of 22.9% from the previous year. Overall, anime now accounts for more than 8% of the total revenue of the video industry in Japan. This data reinforces anime's position as an important sector in Japan's creative economy.
The Growth Trend of Online Videos and its Impact on the Anime Industry
The growing trend of online video in Japan opens up a huge opportunity for the anime industry to continue growing. Recent projections show that Japan's online video industry will grow at an average annual growth rate of 7% over the next five years. Moreover, online video is expected to account for 45% of the total video industry revenue in Japan by 2029, up from 35% in 2024.
As audience preferences for digital platforms increase, anime and user-generated content, such as videos uploaded on YouTube, are taking center stage in the world of online entertainment. Online video services are now not only a source of entertainment, but also open the door for the anime industry to reach a wider and more diverse audience interactively. This trend not only has the potential to increase the accessibility of anime but also stimulate innovation in content production and distribution methods.
The anime industry in Japan continues to show significant growth amidst the rapid digital transformation. Through the support of streaming platforms and video on demand services, anime is not only becoming more accessible but also more globalized. With the continuous development of innovation, the anime industry has a bright future in the growing online video ecosystem. The anime industry in Japan is not only maintaining its relevance but also expanding its influence in the global entertainment scene, shaping the future of entertainment.
Source: Media Partners Asia's report Via Anime News Network
