Anime spending highest ever in 2026 as global revenue grows

Worldwide spending on Japanese anime reached a record $28.2bn in 2025, rising 15.8% from the previous year as demand grew both in Japan and overseas.

International consumers accounted for 57.1% of the market, spending $16.1bn on Japanese animation and related products, according to preliminary figures from the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA).

The industry recorded its fastest annual growth, surpassing the 15.7% increase registered in 2024. Overseas sales rose 17.2%, while spending within Japan climbed 14.1% to $12.1bn.

Domestic growth was particularly notable after reaching just 4.6% the previous year. International sales, meanwhile, continued to expand but at a slower pace than the 26% growth recorded in 2024.

Overseas revenue first exceeded domestic sales in 2023, with the gap widening since then.

Anime studios earn $3.2bn as Japan targets further overseas growth

The AJA distinguishes between overall consumer spending and revenue earned directly by animation studios.

While the broader market includes television, films, streaming subscriptions, merchandise, music and live events, studio revenue reached $3.2bn, an increase of 8.4% from 2024.

International business accounted for 27.9% of studio revenue, up from 25.5% the previous year. Masahiro Hasegawa, editor-in-chief of the AJA’s annual industry report, said more studios were seeking to retain ownership of their intellectual property and generate revenue from it.

Japan is also looking to expand anime’s commercial reach beyond streaming and cinema.

The government aims to increase overseas sales of Japanese content to 20tn yen ($126.9bn) by 2033, including 6tn yen ($38.1bn) from anime.

Hasegawa said international audiences had largely embraced anime as <a href="https://comicvibe.com/zee-entertainment-q2-profit-drops-40-amid-weak-ad-environment-middle-east-tensions/” title=”Zee Entertainment Q2 profit drops 40% amid weak ad environment, Middle East tensions”>entertainment, but the next opportunity lay in expanding merchandise and related services. Family-oriented titles could offer particular potential because of their appeal across age groups.

Studios surveyed for the report identified localisation and combating piracy as major priorities for international expansion.

AJA president Kazuko Ishikawa also stressed the need to improve working conditions for animators and production staff as the industry grows.

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