Anime Is Taking Over Netflix — And They’re Just Getting Started

Anime is bigger than ever on Netflix. At Anime Expo in Los Angeles this past weekend, the streaming platform revealed some major numbers and gave fans a peek at what’s coming next. According to Netflix, more than half of its users around the world are now watching anime. That’s over 150 million households, or about 300 million people.

The company said anime viewership has tripled over the last five years. In 2024 alone, anime shows were watched over a billion times. And it was a record year too, 33 anime titles made it into Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English) rankings, which is more than double the number from just three years ago.

A lot of viewers also prefer watching with dubbed audio. Netflix shared that between 80 to 90 percent of people who watch anime on the platform choose dubbed versions. To meet that demand, the streamer now offers anime in as many as 33 different languages, with both audio and text descriptions.

During its presentation at Anime Expo, Netflix showed off its upcoming anime lineup. One of the most anticipated titles is Sakamoto Days, based on the manga of the same name. The show follows a former hitman who’s now trying to live a quiet life with his family. Netflix says the first season spent 10 weeks in its Top 10 worldwide and appeared on charts in countries like Japan, South Korea, France, and Argentina. New episodes start streaming July 14.

Another big return is Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2. It’s a sequel to the 2022 sci-fi anime set in the world of the Cyberpunk 2077 video game. The show is being made by Studio Trigger again, and Netflix gave fans their first look at the teaser and new visuals during the event.

Fans of cute characters won’t be left out either. My Melody & Kuromi is coming to Netflix on July 24. It’s a stop-motion adventure starring the beloved Sanrio characters. This time, they’ll be trying to save their home, Mariland, from danger.

Netflix also teased a few more shows that anime lovers can expect soon. Titles like Record of Ragnarok III, Beastars: Final Season, and The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity were all part of the announcement. Netflix made it clear that anime is no longer a niche. It’s now a major global genre, with fans of all ages watching action, fantasy, romance, and everything in between.

With more people watching anime than ever before, Netflix isn’t slowing down. As the company put it during the showcase, anime is now “a key part of the platform for viewers around the world.”

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