Nov 12, 2021

Netflix Announces Huge anime Slate for next year

Netflix has unveiled its anime programming through 2022, during a marathon presentation at its two-day Japan Festival 2021.

The streamer announced new series, and details of previously announced shows, for its slate, which includes:

Netflix has been deeply invested in anime for years now. More recently, other mainstream streamers (like Disney+) and Hollywood studios (such as Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network) have shown growing interest in the market, while specialist distributors Crunchyroll and Funimation have merged.

New research from the Association of Japanese Animations reveals that the overseas market for anime overtook Japanese sales for the first time last year. More than ever, that market is a corporate battleground.

But Netflix isn't just spending on anime for the sake of the global market. It is also eyeing expansion in Japan itself, where it has an estimated six million subscribers. It ranks fourth in the country in terms of minutes streamed, behind two local platforms and market leader Amazon Prime, according to research firm Media Partners Asia. In other words: there's room to grow.

Netflix's expansion of Japanese content extends to live-action productions, which it is also focusing on at its Japan Festival. The company is expected to reveals details of 50 new shows during the event.