Netflix says half of global users now watch anime
By Ryan General
Netflix announced at the 2025 Anime Expo last week that 50% of its more than 300 million global subscribers now watch anime, meaning roughly 150 million users are engaging with anime content on the platform.
- Viewership on the rise: Over the past five years, Netflix has tripled its anime viewership, and in 2024 alone, anime titles appeared 33 times in its Global Top 10 (non-English) rankings. The company noted that in 2024, its anime content surpassed 1 billion global views, with most viewers preferring dubbed versions in their native languages.
- Industry impact: Industry analysts say Netflix’s investment highlights anime’s move from niche to mainstream, with one in three global consumers now watching anime weekly. Netflix’s approach to offering a wide catalog, dubbed content in multiple languages and collaborations with top Japanese creators
- New titles and returning favorites: Netflix also unveiled its upcoming anime slate, featuring returning hits such as “Devil May Cry,” “Blue Eye Samurai” and “Beastars,” as well as new series like “Splinter Cell: Deathwatch” and “Sakamoto Days.” Executives highlighted ongoing partnerships with Japanese studios and the platform’s goal to bring even more titles to a global audience.
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