In a significant shift in business tactics, the anime genre – once a smaller segment in American media – now holds prominence in Sony’s strategic plans and financial investments. As per The Hollywood Reporter’s recent findings, Sony has already made substantial investments in the anime industry, acquiring and merging Crunchyroll and Funimation, and more recently, securing a 10% stake in Kadokawa. Competitors such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have also heavily invested in anime content, with Netflix producing exclusive series and dubs. For instance, “Dandadan” is an exclusive Netflix offering and one of the most popular shows of 2024. With these industry giants recognizing the potential profitability of the anime subculture, they aim to maximize their earnings from it.
What are some potential drawbacks when anime becomes more mainstream, receiving widespread acceptance? As the influx of money goes towards studios and distributors, anime will now become part of the global corporate system. Companies like Sony, with an early advantage over competitors, seem determined to establish a monopoly on anime content. Monopolies tend to reduce competition, which in turn discourages innovation. Smaller businesses may struggle to survive or merge into larger brands, limiting consumer choices. Although Sony might make smart investments and offer more enjoyment for fans, it’s essential to remember that corporations primarily act in their own best interest, focusing on areas where profits are highest.
Anime is Huge (and Will Continue to Grow)
According to THR, Jeffries, a financial institution, foresees the international anime market expanding to a staggering $60.1 billion by 2030. Major corporations like Sony, Amazon, and Netflix have already poured significant resources into this medium and are planning further investments. These companies have recognized the immense profit potential of this subculture, with films raking in millions worldwide and anime emerging as one of the most-watched streaming content. Notable anime films such as “Demon Slayer – The Movie: Mugen Train,” “Jujutsu Kaisen 0,” “One Piece Film: Red,” and “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” have each grossed more than a hundred million dollars globally at the box office, outperforming many American films. Currently, “Demon Slayer – The Movie” holds the record for Japan’s highest-grossing film, earning over $500 million at the box office.
It’s been discovered that nearly half of Gen Z viewers tune in to anime weekly, making it a highly favored form of entertainment among younger generations. With such a large financial opportunity at stake, these media conglomerates are eager to capitalize and grab a piece of the action. These companies have realized that streaming services are primarily used for anime viewing, so they’ve made sure to offer the top-tier anime content. Notably, popular Netflix series often consist of anime, with many enduring titles attracting viewers from various generations. For instance, someone who grew up watching “One Piece” can now have their children enjoy the same series on Netflix. Sony has been actively involved in distributing and releasing prominent anime films in theaters. Other companies have also jumped on board by launching anime films for a theatrical release, aiming to rake in some box office earnings.
The Downside of Anime’s Growth and Corporate Consolidation
It’s important that anime remains accessible to all viewers; fans shouldn’t restrict the medium by keeping it exclusive to others. The wider the audience for anime, the better its chances for success and increased availability. When companies observe a large and passionate fanbase, they are more likely to invest in creating more content. While growth can be beneficial for anime, problems arise when corporations prioritize profits over quality in their pursuit of capitalizing on the medium.
Previously, Crunchyroll and Funimation were the go-to platforms for watching anime, each owning a vast collection of exclusive titles. However, after Sony’s acquisition of both services, they now control a significant portion of the anime market. This dominance in the industry means that fans must primarily access their favorite shows through Sony’s official channels. Although Sony allows some popular anime to stream on platforms like Hulu and Netflix, its control over the market raises concerns about monopoly. The essence of a free market is the provision of various choices, but Sony’s ownership of many titles limits this choice. Sony has the authority to restrict access to certain anime as long as it owns the rights, and we’ve already witnessed some anime being removed from streaming services due to rights issues.
Observing closely, it appears that Sony’s expansion in the anime market may eventually leave no room for other companies to thrive. The fear among fans is that this monopolistic control might lead to a plateau in the medium due to lack of competition. Competition, after all, has always been the driving force behind brands and companies to explore novel strategies and innovations, keeping the market dynamic and captivating.
If Sony lacks a major competitor, it might not feel compelled to innovate, potentially leading to stagnation and decreased quality control. In such situations, companies may prioritize creating content that sells well over producing art that pushes boundaries. This could result in anime with safe and unchallenging storylines, thereby lowering the artistic value and potentially damaging the genre. Since consumers might not have many alternative options, they may continue to support Sony even if the quality of anime produced decreases.
What the Future Holds for Anime
It appears that anime continues to thrive, but some fans worry it may become too heavy and eventually collapse. This concern mirrors the boom and bust cycle witnessed in the early 2000s following the Toonami craze of the late 90s. Now, the focus is on how this new growth will impact the medium. In a conversation with Forbes, Justin Sevakis from Animego suggests there could be an abundance of anime in today’s market, making it difficult to keep up and potentially leading some series to be overlooked.
Currently, each anime seems to have less of a lasting impact since viewers’ attention is already divided among several new releases. In contrast, back in the ’90s, shows like Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon were the main attractions that everyone watched and recognized. However, today, with numerous anime being released every season, it becomes challenging for fans to stay updated. Regardless of the oversaturation, production companies continue to produce more content, aiming to sell their products to consumers, maintain or increase subscribers, and maximize profits.
As an avid anime fan, I’m eagerly hoping that Sony makes savvy decisions by pouring resources into its anime division, further revolutionizing the medium for viewers like me. Crunchyroll remains a go-to platform for anime enthusiasts, and I can only imagine the thrilling possibilities if Sony continues to explore uncharted territories in the anime market. It’s exciting to hear that Crunchyroll plans to strengthen its ties with the manga industry!
In this competitive landscape, streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and even Disney are making a strong push into the anime world. For instance, Netflix has significantly backed the One Piece franchise, funding the live-action adaptation and providing a platform for the anime series. The fierce competition in anime distribution can only lead to exciting developments for the medium, ensuring that fans like me continue to be entertained and delighted. Fingers crossed that this is indeed the future!
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2025-01-10 23:10