A new report reveals anime viewing on Netflix is expanding at an unprecedented rate, growing nearly tenfold compared to other genres over the past three years.
A recent report by Media Partners Asia (MPA) confirmed that viewing of anime on Netflix surged at almost ten times the rate of the streaming service's overall viewing figures over the last three years. This announcement was made on September 17, 2026, highlighting the rising popularity of anime as a genre within the U.S. streaming landscape.
According to MPA's findings, views of Japanese anime on Netflix increased from 3.33 billion hours in the first half of 2023 to 4.64 billion hours during the same period in 2024, marking a 39% growth rate compared to just 4.5% for all of Netflix's content. This growth saw anime's overall contribution to Netflix's total hours watched rise from 3.6% to 4.75%. Such statistics underscore a significant cultural shift toward anime viewing, spurred in part by hit series like Blue Eye Samurai, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and the live-action adaptation of One Piece.
The MPA report also indicated that Netflix has secured half of the anime available in Asia across eight different markets, a critical area for anime consumption. Notably, in Japan, competition is increasing between Netflix and Prime Video, with both platforms commanding over 40% of the anime market share. This dominance in key markets points to the genre's centrality in the streaming landscape.
Anime has increasingly blended into mainstream entertainment, as illustrated by its significant presence at major events like the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The MPA report described anime as one of the top genres on Asian streaming platforms. In eight surveyed markets, between 31% and 47% of premium Video on Demand users engage with anime monthly, compared to an average of 26% to 34% for the next seven most popular genres combined. Additionally, with YouTube reaching 70 million monthly viewers in Japan, the audience for anime is more diverse than ever.
The MPA anticipates that global spending on anime could increase by approximately 10% annually through 2030, particularly driven by growth in Asia (excluding Japan) and North America. The report highlighted the evolving landscape that requires collaboration and finance-sharing between global platforms and Japanese intellectual property groups. Major players in the animation industry, such as Aniplex, Sony, TOHO, and Toei Animation, are identified as critical to future developments.
The phenomenal rise in anime viewership on Netflix signals a transformative moment in how both audiences and streaming platforms engage with content. With anime firmly established in the cultural zeitgeist, it paves the way for more robust productions and collaborative ventures between global platforms and traditional studios. The next two years are crucial as companies strive to innovate the financing of new anime content while navigating a competitive marketplace. As anime continues to capture a significant share of the streaming market, fans can expect a broader array of titles and adaptations to emerge across various platforms, further solidifying anime’s place in entertainment.
For additional insights into the success of anime, check out our coverage on ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ and the upcoming Live-Action Can You Kiss Me First? debut on October 19.
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