Netflix has declared anime to be a mainstream phenomenon, stating that half of its subscriber base engages with the genre. This announcement followed a recent preview of upcoming anime content at Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles, aiming to build on the genre's impressive 1 billion views in 2024.
Netflix's strategy for anime success includes simultaneous global releases, complete with dubbed audio and subtitles in up to 33 languages. “Anime already boasts a passionate international fanbase, and we’re helping it reach even more people by offering a centralized home,” a Netflix representative stated. The company further highlighted the significance of Japanese content, noting, “Japanese content is the world’s second most-watched non-English content, with anime as a major driver.”
The platform's success is evident in its performance. In the first half of 2025 alone, eight anime titles achieved placement on the Netflix Global Top 10 (Non-English) List, with notable examples such as The Apothecary Diaries and My Happy Marriage. Moreover, 2024 was a record-breaking year, with 33 anime titles making the list—more than double the number from 2021. This success underscores Netflix's significant role in the global expansion of anime.