Netflix Is Earning More From Anime Than Crunchyroll, According to New Report

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Summary

  • Netflix surpassed Crunchyroll in anime revenue in 2023, earning $2.07 billion.
  • Crunchyroll still leads in revenue per subscriber.
  • Crunchyroll may face tough competition if Netflix invests more in anime content.

As someone who has been immersed in the vibrant world of anime for over two decades now, I must say that the recent shift in the streaming landscape is nothing short of intriguing. The news about Crunchyroll’s potential struggles, despite its long-standing dominance, and Netflix’s surge in the anime market has set the stage for an exciting new chapter.

In the past, I would have bet my favorite Gundam model on Crunchyroll’s unassailable position. But the numbers don’t lie – Netflix, with its vast subscriber base and seemingly limitless resources, has made a significant dent in the anime industry. This is a testament to their strategic moves and commitment to quality content.

However, it would be premature to count Crunchyroll out. They still lead when it comes to the diversity and quantity of anime available, and they have a strong reputation for catering to the niche tastes that many anime fans cherish. If Netflix wants to keep up, they’ll need to walk the fine line between mainstream appeal and staying true to the spirit of anime.

And here’s a little joke to lighten the mood: I guess we’ll soon see if Netflix can truly become the “Naruto”-runner in the streaming world! After all, it takes guts (and cash) to compete with a Saitama-sized giant like Crunchyroll.

In the last days of 2024, many were taken by surprise after Bloomberg reported major problems at Crunchyroll, at least according to many insiders Cecilia D’Anastasio and Takashi Mochizuki (the journalists signing the report) heard when writing the story.

In 2023, the global anime industry raked in a staggering revenue of approximately $19.8 billion, as reported by Parrot Analytics and the Association of Japanese Animations. Interestingly, streaming platforms accounted for around $5.5 billion, while an impressive $14.3 billion was earned from merchandise sales. This underscores the growing influence of anime in the entertainment industry.

Based on the report, it turns out that Netflix, not Crunchyroll, was the top-earning platform in terms of revenue for anime in 2023, bringing in approximately $2.07 billion. Crunchyroll followed closely with earnings of $1.16 billion, and Hulu earned around $903 million. Interestingly, the report didn’t provide details on how much Disney+ and Hulu made together since they both stream anime licensed by Disney. In the U.S., Hulu is responsible for streaming “Disney anime,” while Disney+ serves as the global platform for these same shows. Anime makes up just 3.9% of Netflix’s content library, but it accounts for a substantial 6.8% of the overall demand on their platform.

Richardson Handjaja, specializing in studies about Animenomics, noted that it’s no surprise that Crunchyroll remains the top platform in terms of revenue per subscriber. He also pointed out that Netflix holds an edge due to its broader subscriber base compared to Crunchyroll.

What is Parrot Analytics?

Parrot Analytics is a data-driven firm specializing in audience analysis across multiple platforms and languages. They frequently publish findings about the way people consume content on streaming services and television. In addition, they conduct research into unauthorized consumption of media, though it seems they haven’t recently released reports on this topic.

What Does It All Mean To The Industry?

Crunchyroll remains the go-to platform for an extensive and varied selection of anime, showcasing its dominance in this field. However, this underscores the potential strength of Netflix should it commit more resources to anime content. Given that Netflix seeks to cater to a wide audience, it’s unlikely they’ll invest heavily in extremely niche anime series. Yet, it would present a tough competition for Crunchyroll if popular titles were primarily streamed on Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ instead.

As an observer, I note that Crunchyroll may possess rights to various series not yet accessible on their platform. As Bloomberg has previously mentioned, such circumstances could potentially strain their partnerships with certain Japanese distributors/right holders. This suggests that competition in the streaming market might be fiercer than initially anticipated for Crunchyroll. For now, some executives may be more enthused about the prospect of content on larger screens, but how this unfolds remains to be seen.

Despite Netflix earning a greater total income, Crunchyroll remains ahead in terms of revenue per user, when considering each subscription’s financial contribution.

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2025-01-04 23:18