Japan’s anime industry has reached an all-time high, climbing to JPY 3.84 trillion ($25.25 billion) in 2024, according to new data from the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA). The figure, unveiled at the Tokyo International Film Festival’s market event TIFFCOM, underscores anime’s evolution from a niche export to a global cultural powerhouse, one now approaching Hollywood’s $33 billion worldwide theatrical box office in scale.
Overseas Growth Surges Past Domestic
AJA’s findings show that overseas anime revenues jumped 26% year-on-year to JPY 2.17 trillion ($14.27 billion), far outpacing the modest 2.8% rise in domestic earnings to JPY 1.67 trillion ($10.98 billion). It marks the second-highest growth rate in the report’s history and confirms a turning point: the global audience now outweighs Japan’s home market.
The anime production market, which tracks studio revenues rather than consumer spending, also set a record, up 9.1% year-on-year to JPY 466.2 billion ($3.06 billion). Of that, JPY 118.8 billion ($781 million) came from overseas contracts — a smaller slice, but one that’s expanding rapidly.
What’s Likely Happening in 2025
Though the AJA report tracks 2024 data, early indicators point to another record-breaking year. Following last year’s 13% overall growth, analysts expect 8–10% expansion in 2025, pushing the anime market to around JPY 4.2 trillion ($27–28 billion) — within striking distance of Hollywood’s $33–34 billion global box office.
Recent blockbusters like “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” ($224 million in Japan, $70 million U.S. opening), “Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback” ($160 million worldwide), and “Doraemon: Nobita’s Art World tales” (Japan’s spring No. 1) underline anime’s surging reach. Combined with record streaming revenues and global event growth, 2025’s total could top $28 billion, with overseas earnings continuing to outpace Japan’s domestic market.
Anime Outpaces Japan’s Other Creative Sectors
The anime industry now dwarfs Japan’s live-action film and music sectors combined. Domestic box office revenue hovers around $2 billion, and the recorded music industry generates roughly $3 billion — together barely a fifth of anime’s market value.
By comparison, South Korea’s K-pop industry — another major cultural export — contributes about $10–12 billion globally. Anime’s $25 billion footprint more than doubles that, reflecting Japan’s strategic push under its revamped Cool Japan initiative, which aims to triple overseas content sales to $131 billion by 2033.
A Global Cultural Economy
For Japan, anime has become not only a creative lifeline but a merchandising juggernaut. According to Grand View Research, the domestic anime goods market was worth $5.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $9.3 billion by 2030 — growth powered by collectibles, apparel, toys, and brand collaborations that extend far beyond TV and film.
Globally, anime merchandise represents a $25–30 billion market, encompassing everything from limited-edition figures and Blu-rays to crossovers with global retailers like Uniqlo and Adidas. These sales now account for a significant share of the anime industry’s total $25 billion valuation, driving much of the year-on-year expansion reported by the Association of Japanese Animations.
As AJA editor Masahiko Hasegawa noted, “Anime isn’t just storytelling anymore — it’s commerce, culture, and community rolled into one.”