Anime is Officially $3 Billion~ More Popular Internationally Than Japan, Confirms New Study

by

Japan’s industries are experiencing significant growth, and surprisingly, international customers are now driving most of it. Sales to overseas markets have exceeded those within Japan by over $3 billion.

A recent report from the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) showed the anime industry reached a record $25 billion in 2024, a 14.8% increase. This growth was largely driven by international sales, which jumped to $14.25 billion and now make up 56% of the industry’s total revenue. Domestic sales contributed $10.97 billion, representing 44% of the market. While international revenue increased by an impressive 26% from the previous year (around $11.93 billion), the Japanese domestic market remained relatively stable, earning only $10.67 billion the year before.

International Anime Market Is Now Bigger Than Japan‘s in Revenue

The increasing global success of the industry has been building for some time. A recent report from the AJA, based on over twenty years of data, showed that international sales first exceeded domestic revenue in 2020, especially during the pandemic. While domestic sales briefly recovered in 2021, international revenue firmly took the lead in 2023, accounting for 51% of total sales, and has since grown to a 56% majority in 2024.

Onouchi believes the increasing popularity of anime will continue. He noted that international sales are still growing rapidly, evidenced by the fact that anime-related events are now held in 50 countries—over 160 events in total. He also suggested that opportunities exist to expand revenue streams beyond just streaming licenses, through things like merchandise and live events.

The Japanese government launched a ‘New Cool Japan Strategy’ aiming to boost revenue from its content industries – like anime, manga, and video games – to US$130 billion by 2023. This plan is based on past success; content sales abroad already brought in around US$39.7 billion between 2013 and 2023. Now, Japan’s entertainment industry generates more export revenue than its steel, petrochemicals, and semiconductor industries combined.

Despite significant growth, the anime industry continues to struggle with persistent problems. A major issue is a shortage of staff, which isn’t just about finding enough skilled people. Systemic problems like excessive workloads, low wages, and unstable job security contribute to the problem. Many animators, particularly those starting out or working as freelancers, face extremely long hours and pay that’s often below minimum wage, leading to burnout. Experienced professionals have repeatedly cautioned that this unsustainable work environment puts the future of anime production at risk.

Japan is taking steps to protect its animation industry, a major part of its cultural influence. They’re launching programs to support new animators and build a more stable future for the field. Groups like the Nippon Anime & Film Culture Association are also helping by improving working conditions and offering essential training, all with the goal of safeguarding both the industry and its artists for years to come.

Read More

2025-10-30 21:37