Anime market seen reaching $48.52 billion by 2030

The Business Research Company projects the global anime market will reach $48.52 billion by 2030, driven by streaming simulcasts, merchandising and cross-media franchises. Asia-Pacific is forecast to lead regions, while the U.S. is expected to be the biggest country market.

Why it matters: - The anime business is moving deeper into the mainstream entertainment economy, with growth tied to streaming, merchandise and licensing. - The forecast suggests anime will take a larger share of the broader digital publishing and content streaming market by 2030. - The report also points to anime as a small but rising slice of the wider media industry.

What happened: - The Business Research Company said the global anime market is forecast to hit $48.52 billion by 2030. - The market is expected to grow at a 9% compound annual growth rate through 2030. - The company said Asia-Pacific will be the largest regional market in 2030 at $20 billion. - The company said the U.S. will be the largest single-country market in 2030 at $12 billion. - Request a free sample of the anime market report - Access the detailed anime market report

The details: - The report said the anime market will be about 12% of the projected $399 billion digital publishing and content streaming market in 2030. - The report said anime will account for nearly 1% of the projected $3,709 billion global media market in 2030. - Asia-Pacific is expected to grow from $13 billion in 2025 to $20 billion in 2030, a 8% CAGR. - The region’s growth is linked to localized streaming content, youth demand, original production spending and monetization through merchandise, gaming tie-ins and fan events. - The U.S. market is expected to rise from $7 billion in 2025 to $12 billion in 2030, a 10% CAGR. - The U.S. growth outlook is tied to streaming platform investment, theatrical anime releases, dubbed content, merchandise sales, gaming collaborations and Hollywood adaptations. - Action and adventure is projected to be the largest genre segment in 2030, with 38% of the market and $19 billion in value. - The report said action and adventure will be supported by franchise-based series and films, theatrical releases, special event screenings and collaboration with gaming and multimedia brands. - The market is also segmented by solution into anime creation software and anime creation services. - The market is segmented by publishing into comics and manga, and books and novels. - The market is segmented by distribution channel into television, movie, video, internet distribution, merchandising and music. - The action and adventure segment is projected to grow by $7 billion from 2025 to 2030. - Science fiction and fantasy is projected to grow by $5 billion over the same period. - Romance and drama is projected to grow by $3 billion. - Sports is projected to grow by $1 billion. - Other anime genres are projected to grow by $2 billion.

Between the lines: - The report frames anime growth as an IP strategy, not just a content category, because the biggest gains come from licensing, collectibles and cross-media expansion. - Near-real-time global simulcasts appear to be a key commercial lever because they reduce delays, widen reach and cut piracy-related losses. - Premium collectibles and fan-driven communities are becoming more important revenue engines as studios look for income beyond subscriptions and box office. - The forecast is also a reminder that regional growth still matters, even as anime becomes a more globalized entertainment format.

What's next: - The report expects global streaming simulcasts to add 2.5% annual growth to the market. - High-value collectible merchandising lines are projected to contribute about 2.1% annual growth. - Cross-media franchise strategies are projected to contribute about 1.9% annual growth. - The strongest growth opportunities are expected in action and adventure, science fiction and fantasy, romance and drama, sports, and other anime genres. - Those segments are projected to contribute more than $18 billion in market value by 2030. - The Business Research Company said its 2026 reports include market attractiveness scoring, TAM analysis, company scoring matrix graphics, Excel dashboards, hotspots infographics and updated tables. - The company said it has published more than 30,000 reports across 27 industries and 60 geographies.