Anime sales in Japan exceed $21 billion

The size of the anime market in Japan reached a record level of more than 3 trillion yen in 2023, supported by strong sales abroad.

The Japan Animation Association said in a report that the sector’s revenue for this year amounted to about $21 billion, which is more than 14% higher than the previous record set in 2022, and it was the first time the figure exceeded the 3 trillion yen level.

It explained that overseas sales, including distribution contracts and related goods, topped the profit categories, and the total amount amounted to about $11 billion, an increase of 18% from the previous year, while online distribution sales increased by 50% year-on-year to about $1.6 billion.

It indicated that sales of anime-related goods amounted to about $4.5 billion, while revenues from live entertainment shows amounted to about $700 million.