US Anime Market Size Likely to Surpass at a CAGR of 11.5% By 2033

According to current market research conducted by the CMI Team, the US Anime Market is expected to record a CAGR of 11.5% from 2024 to 2033. In 2024, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 2,878.5 Million. By 2033, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 7,667.2 Million.

US Anime Market: Growth Factors and Dynamics

• Streaming Platforms: The advancement of technologies that facilitate the use of net-dwelling devices, such as smart TVs, laptops, and even handheld gadgets on the web, has led to the emergence of several video-on-demand services such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu, all of which have greatly enhanced the availability of anime content. These sites host a huge catalog of anime shows and create new anime series and movies aimed at both extreme audiences and casual watchers. These factors of easy access and quite a lot of content have influenced the growth of anime, making it possible for people, including the young and the old, to enjoy this art form, leading to continuous growth in the market.

• Cultural Integration: Regarding anime movies, they have easily fallen into modern American society and infiltrated many areas such as fashion, music, video games, and general entertainment. Many famous people and social media stars do not hide the fact that they are fans, which makes anime even more appreciated. Worryingly, this has coincided with an increase in anime’s popularity as more people now appreciate it for reasons other than pure entertainment, which helps the market grow by increasing demand.

• Merchandising Boom: Similarly, Japanese animation has become a cultural phenomenon in the U.S. owing to the increase in the supply and demand of animated films, action dolls, and more. The companies have addressed this by introducing such products for sale that are made available for a limited period to attract the product’s serious users. The growth in merchandise sales among consumers remains a mysterious process as there is no logic in ‘relating’ much to a series of merchandise that one is admiring, and it goes along with a healthy revenue stream and helps grow the market.

• Event Popularity: The phenomenon and the growth of anime-oriented conventions such as Anime Expo and Otakon, as well as many smaller fan conventions around the United States, have assisted in building a community for the fans. Such events serve as places where fans meet and exchange information and provide fortunate ones with sneak peeks, merchandise, and contacts with representatives of the relevant industries. However, it has given rise to a phenomenon where people are glued to such events, which in turn has promoted the growth of the anime industry by elevating the number of people in the target markets, enhancing the existing customers’ commitment to the company and its products, as well as creating new possibilities for the monetization of the anime market.

• Collaborations and Adaptations: Over the past few years, a trend was observed in the U.S. market of joint projects between American studios and Japanese anime creators, resulting in interesting content that would attract audiences worldwide. Moreover, another factor that has brought anime to the attention of many is Hollywood’s obsession with turning anime into live-action movies or series that are generally best-selling. Such cooperation and such works as the one depicted increase awareness, but more importantly, they bring funds and contributions that generate more development and progress in activities related to the anime business in the USA.

• Social Media Influence: Due to the extensive use of Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to promote anime-related materials, social media is becoming increasingly significant in the U.S. anime market. Fans do not hold back and post fan art, memes, reviews, and discussions, creating a healthy online coterie that serves anime culture well. Content creators and influencers often involve anime in their content, and these ways help familiarize the art with wide audiences.

US Anime Market: Partnership and Acquisitions

• Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. announced in 2023 that their subsidiary would collaborate with Crocs to release limited-edition JUJUTSU KAISEN footwear based on this popular Shonen Jump manga. The collection consists of three never-before-seen shoe styles and themed Jibbitz charms.

• In 2022, AMC Networks will acquire Sentai Holdings, LLC. With strong roots in dubbing and licensing Asian cinema, a Japanese anime specialist like Sentai will be a great addition to the AMC family. The deal further bolsters the roster of premium content on services such as Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Crunchyroll.

Report Scope

US Anime Market: COVID-19 Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic made the US anime market face various prospects and challenges simultaneously. The drift on the negative side was that production halts in Japan, where most of the anime has been developed, affected the schedule for the release of new series and movies, arousing a delay in the distribution of the content to the U.S. audiences.

Anime events essential for connecting with fans and selling products were either canceled or moved to the virtual space, causing a loss of income to the event participants. However, the other side of the coin is that the period of lockdown created more appetite for streaming content as more people were made to stay indoors.

Subscription-based services such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Funimation recorded an increase in anime title viewership and subscribers. These developments in the streaming business made anime more accepted into the wider culture in the United States, making it even more entrenched in the entertainment industry over time. Despite the early challenges, the anime industry managed to re-strategize, and self-distribution through streaming emerged as one of the key contributors to its survival throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

List of the prominent players in the US Anime Market:

• Crunchyroll Inc.
• Funimation Global Group LLC
• Viz Media LLC
• Sentai Filmworks LLC
• Aniplex of America Inc.
• GKIDS Inc.
• Netflix Inc.
• Amazon Prime Video
• Hulu LLC
• Toei Animation Inc.
• Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
• Yen Press LLC
• Right Stuf Inc.
• Discotek Media
• Eleven Arts Inc.
• Others

The US Anime Market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• TV.
• Movie
• Internet Distribution
• Merchandising
• Music
• Pachinko
• Live Entertainment
• Others

By Genre

• Action & Adventure
• Sci-Fi & Fantasy
• Romance & Drama
• Sports
• Others