Netflix is currently the biggest earner in the global anime streaming market, surpassing both Crunchyroll and Hulu combined. The data, shared by Parrot Analytics in the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) publication, highlighted how anime has become a key player in the global streaming industry, contributing significantly to overall revenue.
In 2023, anime generated an impressive $19.8 billion in total revenue worldwide, with $5.5 billion coming specifically from streaming platforms. North America accounted for 41% of this anime streaming revenue, reflecting the region’s growing appetite for Japanese animation. According to Parrot Analytics’ analysis, Netflix led the global market, generating $2.074 billion from anime streaming alone, representing 38% of the world’s anime streaming revenue.
While Crunchyroll remains a dominant force in anime-focused platforms and leads in merchandising with over $1 billion in sales from licensed products last year, it still falls behind Netflix in streaming revenue. Despite its long-standing reputation and vast anime library, Crunchyroll faces fierce competition from mainstream streaming giants that are now heavily investing in exclusive anime content and partnerships.
In recent years, other streaming platforms have also entered the anime scene with strategic collaborations. For example, Disney partnered with Kodansha to co-produce anime originals like Tokyo Revengers: Christmas Showdown Arc. Similarly, HIDIVE joined forces with MBS (Mainichi Broadcasting System) to secure exclusive streaming rights for upcoming titles, including the Winter 2025 anime series From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!
Netflix’s dominance, however, can be attributed to its deep financial resources and strategic partnerships with major Japanese publishers like Shueisha. Titles like One Piece’s live-action adaptation broke viewership records, and upcoming anime adaptations of Sakamoto Days, Blue Box, Dandadan, and even Dragon Ball Daima will feature prominently on Netflix. Although some of these titles, like Dragon Ball Daima, will also stream on Crunchyroll, Netflix’s global reach and aggressive marketing strategies continue to set it apart.
In addition, Max (formerly HBO Max) has also stepped up its anime game by securing a partnership with Japanese streaming service U-NEXT. This deal ensures a two-way content exchange, with popular anime titles expected to stream on both platforms.
The report also touched on the growing dissatisfaction among anime creators regarding Netflix’s royalty policies. Over 90 anime producers have voiced concerns about the platform's reluctance to offer fair compensation for content that generates billions in revenue. Despite these challenges, Netflix remains the preferred choice for many production studios due to its unmatched global reach and financial backing.
As the anime streaming industry continues to grow, platforms like Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Disney+ will need to innovate and strengthen their partnerships to compete with Netflix’s dominant position. For now, Netflix stands as the undisputed leader in anime streaming revenue, showcasing how mainstream platforms are reshaping the landscape of anime distribution on a global scale.
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