Exploring the record-breaking growth of anime in 2024

While various industries face layoffs, budget cuts, and identity crises, Japanese anime is charting a different course altogether, one marked by historic milestones. In 2024, this vibrant sector achieved its highest revenue peak to date, with international gains outpacing domestic ones for the third consecutive year. The question is no longer if anime is profitable, but rather, how much further it can expand.

25 billion reasons to celebrate

The latest report from the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) unveiled staggering figures: the global anime market reached an impressive 3.84 trillion yen (approximately 25.1 billion euros) in 2024. This represents a remarkable 15% growth compared to the previous year, setting an absolute record in the industry’s history. What about the local market? Japan generated 1.67 trillion yen in domestic sales, while fans from other regions contributed a significant 2.17 trillion yen. This reinforces a relentless trend: anime is a global phenomenon.

Streaming, concerts, and collectibles: the perfect combo

The AJA report goes beyond merely tracking how many episodes of shonen or shojo are viewed each year. It encompasses music, concerts, events, merchandise (you know, those irresistible figures), and licenses that turn anime into a comprehensive entertainment industry. The global market experienced a growth of 14.8%, marking the second-largest increase in history, while the international scene soared with an impressive 26% rise, far outpacing local growth, which was just 2.8%.

Production companies making history

If you’re wondering whether this financial surge translates into real income for studios, the answer is a resounding yes. Direct anime production companies also set records, amassing 466.2 billion yen in revenue (around 3 billion euros). The success on streaming platforms and the expansion of licensing deals outside Asia have begun to bear fruit, although—typical of any creative industry—these benefits can take a bit of time to appear in the studios’ financial statements.

Anime as a state policy

During the TIFFCOM event in Tokyo, representatives from Bandai Namco Filmworks revealed their plans to double international film revenues by 2030, increasing their current share from 25% to 50%. This ambition is not unique; the Japanese government has made anime a cornerstone of its cultural strategy. The goal is to double global entertainment sales, from 10 trillion yen in 2028 to 20 trillion yen by 2033. In other words, expect more anime, in more languages, reaching more corners of the globe.

Can 2025 surpass this record?

The AJA will release its complete Anime Industry Report for 2025 in December, but early indications suggest the upward trend shows no signs of slowing down. If 2024 was the year of international consolidation for anime, could 2025 be the time when the industry reaches new heights? This sector has proven it can dream big, produce on a grand scale, and sell even larger quantities. When anime thrives, it’s akin to a legendary warrior powering up: transcending its own limits every season.