In the last few years, the anime industry has taken the world by surprise, slowly but surely becoming one of the biggest entertainment industries on the globe. While this art form has always been popular in its country of origin, Japan, this medium is now bigger than ever in other countries.
This trend does not seem to be stopping any time soon, as proven by the report released by the Association of Japanese Animation (AJA) on December 22, 2024. This report compiled all the data available about anime’s growth during 2023, revealing a world-record increase in revenue inside and outside of Japan.
The Anime Industry Has Grown More Than Ever in 2023
Industry Revenue Has Reached Unthinkable Levels as the Medium Continues to Expand
In 2003, the AJA began publishing yearly reports that studied the market value of the anime industry during the previous year. These analyses considered everything relating to this popular form of animation, from streaming to merchandise and music, among several other topics. As is tradition, the report for the year 2023 became available to the public this past December 22, 2024. According to the results, the growth of the anime industry not only continued but also exceeded what experts expected.
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During 2023, the anime industry saw an increase of 14.3% in comparison with 2022. This is equivalent to approximately 21.27 billion USD, the highest total amount since these reports began being published. The increase itself was record-breaking, as never before had a year sured its predecessor by such a large amount. AJA’s data indicates that the popularity and relevance of the anime industry across the world will continue growing for quite some time, as its market value has done nothing but grow since 2002.
Anime Is More Popular Than Ever Internationally
The Foreign Market s for More Than Half the Growth
Through the years, anime has seen an impressive increase in popularity among international audiences. While the medium used to be considered a niche a few years ago, it has slowly become an important part of pop culture. This increase in relevance has also been felt in anime’s home country, as the AJA report revealed that the international market managed to sur the domestic one during 2023. Countries outside of Japan ed for 51.5% of the total revenue for the industry.
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This is the second time since 2002 that the domestic market has been less than 50% of the overall value. The only other time this phenomenon was reported was in 2020, although this did not last for long, as the domestic market increased vastly during the following two years. North America, Europe, and Asia compose most anime consumers around the globe. China, Taiwan, and South Korea were reported as the most profitable countries for merchandise, while the U.S.A., Canada, and Taiwan are the overall leaders when sales of products are not ed for.
This impressive increase was an amazing improvement when compared with 2022, during which the international market had a drastic decrease in revenue. The numbers reported by the AJA prove that the anime industry still has an extremely profitable and undiscovered market in other regions of the world. Their studies revealed that areas like Latin America have the possibility of becoming big targets for the medium. Countries like have also become targets for the industry, as revealed in the past by important executives.
The Impact of Anime on Pop Culture
Anime Is Here To Stay
During the early 90s, anime saw a huge increase in popularity across Western countries. For many fans, this time can be considered a sort of golden age for the medium, with beloved shows like Dragon Ball, Pokemon, Digimon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! being among the best and most beloved franchises of the era. Nevertheless, the genre could not compete with the better-known American cartoons and TV shows, which dominated the industry for years. It was not until recently that anime had a substantial increase in popularity, proven by the data found in the AJA report.
Their numbers indicate that Western audiences are consuming more and more anime each coming year, to the point that they rival the domestic market. Fans have likely noticed this shift in popularity, as some of the best shows have suddenly become a huge part of today’s pop culture. Characters like Luffy have become icons of animation, going as far as to inspire some of the best live-action series of recent years. It is rare nowadays to find someone who has not at least heard of the most prominent anime series.
The internet has been a major advantage for the industry outside of Japan, as the AJA reports that the number of shows streamed online has only increased recently. It is easier than ever for fans to enjoy their favorite series, a task that seemed monumental in the past. Companies like Netflix, which has recently sured giants like Crunchyroll, have revealed in the past that a large part of their audience is only interested in anime. If the trend reported by the AJA continues, anime will only continue to become more relevant in the West.
Anime Fans Should Rejoice
The AJA Reports Might Incentivize Funding in the West
Even though the AJA report does not directly address fans, its results should be a cause for celebration. Anime becoming more popular has led to major revenue for companies and executives, a trend that will encourage more and better investments. Seeing as North America is among the most profitable regions, it is likely that companies will begin funding major operations in this region, making the medium more accessible for American fans.
The AJA report hints at a bright future for the anime industry, a major win for both executives and fans alike. The medium will only continue growing in and outside of Japan, becoming more and more a part of the mainstream. Fans should celebrate this incredible news and prepare for the amazing surprises that the future holds for them.
