Sony Is Betting Big on the Global Growth of Anime 1

Following its substantial investment into Kadokawa late last year, it’s no real surprise to see Sony doubling down on the global growth of anime content. During its CES 2025 press conference, however, it put that ambition on stage.

A long presentation saw Aniplex president Atsuhiro Iwakami and Crunchyroll boss Rahul Purini wax lyrical about the appeal of the medium, and its ambition to dominate the space. The pair announced a new Ghost of Tsushima series due in 2027, and also revealed how all of its subsidiaries are pulling together to make the international release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle a major worldwide theatrical moment.

Toe-curlingly, the company said anime is proving massively popular among Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences. It also noted that the fandoms are engaged on a level seldom seen in other mediums; they love the characters, content, and stories – and that makes them ripe targets for businessmen.

It’s true, though, that anime is increasingly becoming big business. Once considered the domain of dweebs, the global market for Japanese entertainment has more than doubled in the past ten years. More pertinently, it’s predicted to be worth a staggering $60 billion worldwide by 2030.

Sony doesn’t just want a piece of that pie; it wants to dominate it. While it will face stiff competition from the likes of Disney and Netflix, it believes its Japanese origins, along with its unique mix of subsidiaries, put it in the best possible position to lead the sector.

It’s true that the company has a competitive advantage here; music, television, movies, and gaming all intertwine to make the anime industry what it is, and Sony has its fingers in all of those pies. The company’s ‘One Sony’ ambition fits flawlessly here.

“We have a unique opportunity to collaborate across all of the Sony Group companies to serve anime fans and creators,” Purini said.

If the anime industry does indeed grow at the rates predicted, then Sony could be poised to clean up over the coming years.

[source hollywoodreporter.com]