A Media Partners Asia report analyzing streaming data from eight Asian markets between July 2025 and August 2026 found anime drew larger monthly audiences than any other genre on premium video-on-demand platforms. Between 31% and 47% of premium-VOD users across the tracked markets watched anime in any given month, compared with 26% to 34% for other genres. Japan showed particularly strong engagement, with anime viewership ranging from 45% to 59% of premium-VOD users against 24% to 36% for other content.
The anime title ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ ranked as the top anime offering in seven of the eight tracked markets during the first half of 2026, significantly boosting MAPPA’s regional market share. MAPPA increased its share of anime viewing hours from 6.1% in the second half of 2025 to 17.3% in the first half of 2026, edging out TMS Entertainment at 16.6%, Toei Animation at 13%, and Aniplex-mastered titles at 12%. Netflix dominated regional anime viewing, holding roughly half of all anime hours watched across the tracking period.
The report highlights an industry shift from licensing existing content to platforms and studios seeking ownership of anime franchises. Netflix’s anime viewing climbed 39% from the first half of 2023 to the first half of 2026, despite overall Netflix growth of just 4.5%. Sony has emerged as the only company with a comprehensive end-to-end anime operation, with Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, and Aniplex operating within its portfolio alongside equity positions in Kadakawa and Bandai Namco.
YouTube has become a significant distribution and production platform for anime content, with official channels functioning as independent media businesses. The report identified 21 anime transactions and alliances since 2021, with 11 occurring in 2025 and 2026. Industry analysts expect worldwide anime spending to grow approximately 10% annually through 2030, with growth concentrated among companies owning franchises and platforms directly financing production while allowing studios to retain intellectual property rights.
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