Global anime market is growing on the back of streaming platform investments, expanding fan engagement, and cross-media monetization, led by Asia-Pacific and North America, according to a new report published by Mordor Intelligence.

According to the report, the anime market size is expected to grow from $27.1 billion in 2025 to $29.97 billion in 2026, and is further projected to reach $49.6 billion by 2031, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6 percent during the 2026–2031 forecast period.

The report on the global anime market, according to a press release from Mordor Intelligence, highlights robust demand and steady commercial expansion across content creation, licensing, and distribution channels.

This sustained anime market growth is underpinned by rising global consumption of anime content across streaming platforms, gaming, theatrical releases, and merchandise, as the medium continues to gain mainstream traction worldwide.

Streaming Platforms Changing Distribution, Monetization: Streaming platforms are reshaping how anime content is created, distributed, and monetized, reflecting key anime market trends. Instead of acting only as distributors, major platforms are increasingly involved in production, allowing them to benefit from subscriptions, long-term content value, and global reach.

This closer integration between studios and streaming services is strengthening revenue stability while helping anime titles reach wider audiences faster. Smarter content discovery and flexible monetization models are also improving viewer retention and overall market sustainability.

Anime’s Transition from Niche to Mainstream: The segment is no longer viewed as a niche genre and has become essential content for global entertainment platforms, driving growth across the anime industry.

Its growing appeal among adult audiences has expanded spending beyond streaming into gaming, collectibles, theatrical releases, and branded financial products. This broad cultural acceptance is enabling companies to build deeper fan engagement and unlock new revenue opportunities across multiple consumer touchpoints.

Anime Market Share by Region: Asia Pacific remains the backbone of the global anime ecosystem, supported by Japan’s role as the primary production center and a rapidly expanding regional audience base.

While the market is mature, domestic streaming adoption continues to open new monetization avenues. At the same time, studios face operational pressure from rising talent costs and intense competition for experienced creators, prompting a stronger focus on international distribution and IP-led growth.

North America stands out as a high-value growth region where anime is increasingly treated as premium entertainment content. Favourable licensing structures, strong fan engagement, and higher spending on both digital content and merchandise make the region strategically important for global studios.

Although physical distribution faces regulatory and logistical uncertainties, digital-first releases and simulcast models are helping companies maintain stable and scalable revenue streams.

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