The world really started to have a taste for anime in the late 80s/early 90s, when series like Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon first appeared.
They were different from the shows already on television both in terms of plot and visual style, which helped them attract attention. However, they weren’t exactly popular with the general public for a very long time.
Fast forward to the present day, and anime has become an important part of the entertainment world. To see how much the appetite for the genre has grown over time, I looked at some key anime stats.
Interesting Anime Facts 2023
Here are some intriguing stats to get you started:
- Crunchyroll reached 120 million registered users in 2021.
- An average anime episode costs between $100,000 and $200,000 to make.
- More than 50% of Netflix users watched anime in 2021.
- The global anime market will reach $53 billion by 2032.
- The Pokémon franchise made approximately $110 billion.
- Close to 18% of Americans watch anime.
- Naruto has about 1.97 million monthly searches in the US alone.
- Only 6% of Gen Z aren’t familiar with the genre.
General Anime Stats 2023
Below is some data to help you better understand the world of anime.
1. Crunchyroll had 120 million registered users in 2021.
(Source: IGN)
In August 2021, the specialist anime streaming service revealed that it had surpassed the 120 million registered users mark. At the same time, it also reached above five million subscribers.
Crunchyroll statistics show the platform had over 60 million followers across social media at the time.
2. Creating an anime episode can cost between $100,00 and $200,000.
(Source: Sportskleeda)
Anime shows aren’t cheap to create. While this usually varies depending on numerous factors, an anime episode can cost between $100,000 and $200,000.
Dragon Ball Super, one of the best-rated anime shows, averages about $150,000 to $160,000 per episode.
3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the top-rated anime on MyAnimeList with a 9.13 rating.
(Source: MyAnimeList)
As of August 2022, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the highest-rated anime, according to MyAnimeList stats. It has 9.13 stars in a rating system where users give 10 stars to a show they consider a masterpiece.
The 2009 title also has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The series had a mission to faithfully adapt the original manga after the 2003 anime series failed to do so.
4. Akira includes 2,212 shots and 160,000 single pictures, two to three times more than the average.
(Source: Ranker)
The critically acclaimed anime movie is a technical achievement for the anime industry in Japan. It consists of 2,212 shots and 160,000 single pictures, which is two to three times more than your average anime movie.
In addition, Akira uses 327 colors, 50 of which have been created specifically for the movie.
Anime Popularity Statistics 2023
5. Global demand for anime content increased 118% between 2020 and 2022.
(Axios)
Anime is currently among the fastest-growing genres. This increase in popularity started with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Global demand for anime has grown 118% since then.
Anime statistics for 2022 show that the share of global demand anime took across all genres increased from 4.2% in January 2020 to 7.1%.
Surging viewership has also resulted in more deal-making around the genre. AMC Networks acquired anime distributor and streaming service Sentai Holdings. And Sony bought Crunchyroll, one of the biggest anime streaming services in the US, in a $1.2 billion deal.
6. More than half of Netflix’s global subscribers watched anime in 2021.
(Source: Variety)
Kohei Obara, anime creative at Netflix, revealed earlier this year that over half of the streaming service’s global users watched anime in 2021. He also said that nearly 90% of Japanese users tuned into it last year.
Some of the most popular anime titles on Netflix are Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014), Naruto (2002-2008), and Attack on Titan (2013-Present).
7. Only 6% of Gen Z don’t know what anime is.
(Source: Anime News Network)
Crunchyroll shared some market research statistics at the Acceleration Japan (A-JAPAN) industry showcase. According to its survey, only 6% of Gen Z have never heard of anime. In comparison, 27% of the general population isn’t familiar with the genre.
Anime Industry Statistics 2023
The anime industry continues to do well, with some bumps along the way. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t exactly help it grow, but it’s anticipated it’ll fully recover soon.
8. The global anime market will reach close to $53 billion by 2032.
(Source: Future Market Insights)
The demand for anime content continues to increase. This growing popularity will likely drive anime market expansion. It’s expected to reach $52,99 billion by 2032, with a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%.
The global anime market in 2022 is worth $25.62 billion.
9. The overseas anime market surpassed Japanese sales for the first time in 2020.
(Source: Cartoon Brew)
The overseas anime market overtook that of Japan for the first time since the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) started tracking it.
AJA reports that the internet distribution market was worth 2.4261 trillion yen (roughly $21.32 billion) in 2020. The overseas market, chiefly North America and China, accounted for approximately 51% of the total amount.
10. Pokémon is the highest-grossing anime franchise, making nearly $110 billion.
(Source: Anime Galaxy)
Since it emerged in 1996, the Pokémon franchise has made approximately $110 billion. This doesn’t only make it the highest-grossing anime but also the highest-grossing media franchise in the world, according to anime statistics.
Next on the list is Anpanman which has earned a total of $44.9 billion.
11. The number of TV anime production minutes fell to 100,845 in 2021.
(Source: Erzat)
After the expansion of anime in the 90s, the number of produced TV anime minutes grew every year until 2006, when it reached 136,407. However, after that, the market drastically shrunk. In 2010, studios only produced 90,445 minutes.
With the emergence of streaming services and more overseas demand, 130,347 minutes of anime were made in 2018. Anime statistics show the number dropped to 106,966 in 2019 and then even further following the COVID-19 pandemic.
12. 39.8% of anime studios were in red in 2021.
(Source: Anime News Network)
Teikoku Databank reported that 39.8% of the 309 production companies participating in a recent study had incurred losses in 2021. This number was higher by 0.9% compared to the year prior.
Anime Viewership Statistics 2023
Teenagers and young adults are into anime more than other generations. Men generally watch it more than women, but that’s not the case everywhere.
13. 33% of people in Japan said they either watch anime or read manga.
(Source: Statista)
According to a recent study, 33% of people in Japan engage with anime or manga content. With a population of close to 126 million, that translates to 41.5 million people.
14. 66% of people in Japan born between 1995 and 2000 watch anime daily.
(Source: PSU.edu)
An online survey held by QQ Big Data showed that 66% of Japanese born between 1995 and 2000 watch anime on a daily basis. 21% of them say they usually see seven anime every week. Also, 33% spend six or more hours on the activity weekly.
Another survey showed that the average age of anime watchers in Japan is 32.
15. When it comes to watching anime, men edge out women 54% to 46% globally.
(Source: Project Anime)
Anime audience statistics show there are more men than women among all binary anime viewers. Out of 14 markets surveyed, the US has the least female viewers, with only 35%.
However, female viewers outnumber men in countries such as Vietnam (54%), Russia (53%), and France (52%).
Anime Statistics in America 2023
The US and North America as a whole are the number one overseas market for Japanese anime.
16. 27% of adults aged 18 to 29 in the US are favorable toward anime films.
(Source: Statista)
In a survey held in the US, 27% of adults aged between 18 and 29 said they have a very favorable impression of anime films.
The same study showed that older generations are less likely to be anime fans. However, only 26% of those aged 65 and over have never heard of the genre.
17. Almost 18% of Americans watch anime.
(Source: Voice Of Action)
As of 2022, anime audience demographics confirm that close to 18% of Americans watch anime. That explains why over 200 anime are dubbed in English.
18. The US is the country with the highest demand for anime titles outside of Japan.
(Source: Parrot Analytics)
Parrot Analytics tracked the average daily Demand Expressions for anime titles per 100 capita and aggregated the results by country.
The US easily topped the list with 0.95 Demand Expressions per 100 capita. That’s over twice as much as the second-best rated country – the Philippines. The only European entry in the top ten was France.
19. Naruto has approximately 1.97 million monthly searches in the US.
(Source: ComicBook)
Broadband Choices relied on monthly search data to determine what is the most famous anime in the US. Naruto topped the list with approximately 1.97 million monthly searches. Demon Slayer is second with 1.51 million, and Pokémon sits at number three with 1.40 million monthly searches.
20. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero film earned $10.7 million on its opening day in the US.
(Source: Anime News Network)
The 2022 animated film focusing on Piccolo and Gohan made $4,303,671 on its preview day on Thursday and $6,441,593 on Friday, amounting to $10,745,264 on its opening day in the US.
Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures both screened the movie in 3,007 locations in the US, which marks the widest release ever for an anime film. It went on to make an incredible $20.1 million in its first weekend. In comparison, Dragon Ball Super: Broly earned $9.8 million in its first two days.
21. Between January and February 2021, Attack on Titan was the most demanded series in the US.
(Source: ComicBook)
During this period, Attack on Titan was the most sought-after show, with a demand rating of 110.5x the market average.
Attack on Titan is also considered the top anime on Crunchyroll after the platform gave it its 2022 Anime of the Year award.
Wrap Up
And there you have it – the most important anime stats to help you better understand its world.
Now, it’s time for an Attack on Titan episode!
