Netflix made a significant impact at Anime Expo over the weekend, unveiling new trailers, clips, and images from its anime lineup that includes highly anticipated shows like “Sakamoto Days,” “My Melody & Kuromi,” and “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2.”
The streaming giant’s focus on anime comes at a time when the genre is booming on the platform, with Netflix reporting that over 50% of its audiences—equating to more than 150 million households or over 300 million individuals—are now consuming anime content. With a commitment to delivering diverse stories and genres, Netflix aims to cater to everyone, from casual viewers to die-hard anime fans.
Recent research by Dentsu, as reported by Variety, confirms Netflix’s dominance in the anime space, with 48% of global anime viewers subscribing to Netflix for their anime fix, surpassing competitors like Disney+ and Prime Video. The study, which surveyed 8,600 consumers across 10 countries, also revealed that 31% of global consumers watch anime at least once a week.
The diverse range of titles on Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English) list this year showcases the platform’s commitment to offering varied content. Leading the pack is “Sakamoto Days,” a series that follows legendary hitman Taro Sakamoto as he comes out of retirement to protect his family. The show has captured audiences worldwide, appearing in 54 countries and dominating the Global Top 10 for 10 weeks.
“My Melody & Kuromi” introduces viewers to beloved Sanrio characters in an original stop-motion adventure, while “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2” delves back into the cybernetic-implant-filled dystopia with a tale of a street kid aiming to become an outlaw mercenary.
Netflix’s anime explosion shows no signs of slowing down, with anime content being viewed over 1 billion times on the platform in 2024 alone. Viewership has tripled over the past five years, with 33 anime titles making it to the Top 10 list in 2024, a significant increase from previous years.
The global reach of Netflix has been instrumental in the expansion of anime, with new titles launching simultaneously in 190 countries with dubbed audio and audio descriptions in up to 33 languages. The platform’s strategy has proven successful, with 80-90% of members opting for dubbed anime content.
The anime slate on Netflix covers a wide range of genres, from action-packed series like “My Hero Academia” and “Jujutsu Kaisen” to fantasy favorites like “Delicious in Dungeon” and sci-fi offerings such as “Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance.” With a strong lineup that caters to all tastes, Netflix continues to solidify its position as a leading destination for anime enthusiasts worldwide.
