Key Facts
• August 15, 2024: Anime production market hits record ¥362.1 billion, up 4% YoY.
• Major hits and strong licensing drove growth across TV, film, and streaming platforms.
• 60% of prime contractors reported worsening performance due to rising costs and animator shortages.
• Average revenue for prime contractors reached ¥2.749 billion, the highest ever.
• Profitability: 40% saw gains, while 25.5% faced reduced profits, and 34.5% reported losses.
• Contributing factors: Increased VOD revenue, higher per-episode production costs, and IP licensing.
• Challenges: Rising outsourcing costs, higher wages for in-house animators, and increased facility expenses.
• Subcontractor studios saw average revenue of ¥438 million, improving for the fourth consecutive year.
• Subcontractor losses dropped to 33.3%, a 9.2% improvement from the previous year.
• Labor environment reforms, including fair wages, are deemed essential to address ‘busy without profit.’
Summary
The anime production industry reached a record market size of ¥362.1 billion in 2024, driven by major hits and strong licensing across multiple platforms. However, 60% of prime contractors reported declining performance due to rising production costs and animator shortages, leading to a ‘busy without profit’ scenario. While average revenue for prime contractors hit a record ¥2.749 billion, profitability challenges persisted, with 34.5% reporting losses. Subcontractor studios fared better, with average revenue improving for the fourth consecutive year and losses decreasing to 33.3%. Rising costs, including outsourcing, wages, and facility expenses, remain significant hurdles. Experts emphasize the need for labor reforms, including fair wages, to ensure sustainable growth in the industry.
