Anime Global Dominance: JPY4.45 Trillion Record

Worldwide spending on Japanese anime achieved a new record of JPY4.45 trillion ($28.2 billion) in 2025. This represents a 15.8% increase from the previous year, with international consumers now contributing over half of the total revenue. The rate of growth itself was also a record, slightly exceeding the 15.7% posted in 2024.

Both domestic and international markets experienced robust growth in 2025. Overseas revenue climbed 17.2% to JPY2.54 trillion ($16.1 billion), while the local market grew 14.1% to JPY1.91 trillion ($12.1 billion). This expansion follows a trend where overseas revenue first surpassed local revenue in 2023 and has widened the gap since then.

Beyond direct consumer spending, the revenue earned by animation studios also reached a record JPY505.5 billion ($3.2 billion) in 2025, an 8.4% increase. International business made up 27.9% of this studio revenue, indicating a growing global footprint for Japanese animation production. This success supports a government target for content exports to reach JPY20 trillion by 2033, with anime expected to contribute JPY6 trillion.

Looking ahead, studios prioritize localization and anti-piracy measures for growth markets. The strategy involves replicating Japan's success in building ecosystems around anime, extending to merchandise and services globally, particularly for family-oriented content. This approach aims to drive towards the ambitious JPY6 trillion export target.