The global anime streaming market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with two major players emerging as clear leaders in the international arena. Netflix and Crunchyroll now control over 80% of the overseas anime streaming market, which reached $3.7 billion in 2023, according to Wall Street research firm Bernstein.
Crunchyroll has seen remarkable subscriber growth, expanding from 5 million users in August 2021 to more than 15 million by August 2024. The platform's success stems from its specialized focus on anime content, hosting over 1,800 titles and providing rapid access to new releases shortly after their Japanese premieres.
Netflix, while offering a smaller anime catalog of approximately 240 titles in its U.S. service, brings substantial resources and global reach to the table. The streaming giant has made anime a key component of its strategy in Japan, where anime consistently ranks among the top 10 most-streamed content.
The international anime streaming market is expected to see explosive growth, with projections indicating an increase from $3.7 billion in 2023 to $12.5 billion by 2030. This would represent the majority share of the total anime streaming market, which is anticipated to reach $16 billion by 2030.
Rather than competing head-to-head, the two platforms appear to complement each other in the market. Crunchyroll, now a profitable venture expected to generate 40% of Sony Pictures' operating profit within two years, has even licensed content to Netflix. The platform's profit margin, estimated at 8% in Q3 2024, is projected to double by 2027.
Crunchyroll's president Rahul Purini views Netflix's involvement in anime positively, suggesting that broader exposure to anime through mainstream platforms ultimately benefits the specialized service. As Netflix continues to expand its anime offerings, industry analysts believe both platforms can thrive simultaneously, each leveraging their unique market advantages to serve the growing global appetite for anime content.