The Survey on Anime Production Market in JAPAN 2025
Approximately 60% of Prime Contractors Report “Worsening Performance”
Shortage of Animators Clearly Emerging
Japan’s Anime production market reached a record of ¥362 billion in 2024, up 4.0% year-on-year. Growth was fueled by strong licensing from original Production and the successes of major titles. While revenues rose for prime contractors and specialized studios, rising costs and labor shortage continue to pressure profitability.
The anime production industry in Japan reached a record high in 2024 with a market volume of 362 billion yen, representing a 4.0% increase over the previous year. Growth was driven by strong licensing and the success of major titles, but rising costs and labor shortages are weighing on profitability.
The number of TV anime titles produced fell to its lowest level in a decade, while the importance of streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube increased. The anime streaming market grew by 51.4% to 250 billion yen in 2023, and the merchandising market also reached a peak of 700 billion yen.
The industry saw increasing collaboration with foreign companies, particularly from the US, South Korea, and Taiwan, with outsourcing and production contracts playing an important role. At the same time, production costs rose and labor shortages worsened, leading to a decline in profitability. Many studios had to adjust their production plans and increasingly rely on external service providers, which further increased costs.
The number of anime production companies in Japan fell to 293 in 2025, a decline of 7.6% compared to the previous year. The majority of studios are located in Tokyo, with smaller studios with fewer than 20 employees dominating. However, the total number of employees in the industry rose by 9.9% to 13,492.
The industry faces challenges such as low wages, long working hours, and labor shortages. These issues could jeopardize the international competitiveness of the Japanese anime industry, especially in light of growing global criticism of labor exploitation. To ensure sustainable growth, comprehensive reforms are needed to ensure fair working conditions and the transfer of expertise to the next generation.
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Source: Teikoku Databank America, Inc.
