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TRENDING
Sept. 3, 2024
Japanese Animation Studios' Record-Breaking Revenue
Japanese animation studios take record $2.34bn as sector booms.
Japan - In 2023, Japanese animation
studios achieved a record-breaking revenue of $2.34 billion (¥339 billion),
marking a 30% increase from the previous year. This surge is attributed to the
booming theatrical anime market, with significant contributions from blockbuster
films like Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume, which grossed $133.4 million
worldwide, and Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy And The Heron, which earned
$173.5 million and won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
The shift in production resources from broadcast anime
series to original streaming titles and theatrical versions of existing series
has also played a crucial role in this growth1. Notable examples include Haikyu!!
The Dumpster Battle and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, which
earned $79.8 million and $33.6 million in Japan, respectively.
Despite the overall success, the revenue increase was
not evenly distributed across the industry. Of the 301 studios analyzed, only
112 reported increased revenues from 2022 to 20231. Larger studios, which are
often part of production committees and own a slice of the intellectual
property (IP), saw the most significant gains. In contrast, smaller
subcontractors, hired on a purely contract basis, experienced modest growth1.
In 2023, 77.5% of major studios turned a profit compared to just 57% of
subcontractors.
Looking ahead, the industry faces challenges such as
ensuring more equitable distribution of IP revenues and protecting anime from
copyright infringement, especially with the rise of generative AI. The overall
Japanese animation industry, including films, TV series, merchandise, and
events, was valued at $20 billion (¥2.9 trillion) in 2022, reflecting a 6.8%
increase from 2021 and the highest number on record.
This remarkable growth underscores the global appeal
and economic significance of Japanese animation, positioning it as a dominant
force in the entertainment industry.
