Japanese anime industry sales top 3 trillion yen for 1st time

emirates7 - Japan's anime industry reached a historic milestone in 2023, with its market size surpassing three trillion yen for the first time, driven by strong overseas demand, according to NHK World Japan.

The Association of Japanese Animations reported this month that the industry's revenue for 2023 totaled approximately 3.3 trillion yen (around $21 billion), reflecting a 14% increase from the previous record set in 2022.

Overseas sales, including licensing agreements and merchandise, led the industry's nine revenue categories, generating about $11 billion, an 18% rise from the previous year.

Online distribution revenue experienced the most significant growth, soaring 50% year-on-year to approximately $1.6 billion. Merchandise sales reached around $4.5 billion, while revenue from live entertainment events was estimated at $700 million.