18 Anime Industry Statistics for Canadian Fans in 2024

Anime industry statistics reveal a world far more profound than regular cartoons. Layered characters, complex story arcs, and unique visual style set it apart on the global entertainment stage. Check out these numbers and fascinating facts that we compiled about the anime world!

Top 10 Interesting Anime Facts and Statistics

  • Demon Slayer beat Spirited Away for top-grossing film in Japanese history.
  • Overseas sales are the largest segment of the Japanese anime industry.
  • Shounen is the most popular genre of anime in the world.
  • Statistics on anime popularity place Canada as the ninth-biggest market outside Japan.
  • Canada agreed to just shy of 200 anime contracts in 2019.
  • In 2019, 34,558 attended Anime North, one of the largest anime conventions in Canada.
  • There is an anime character named Canada.
  • Space Brothers was dubbed from outer space.
  • The titans in Attack on Titan were inspired by a drunkard.

Anime Industry Statistics and Facts

Although anime is a global phenomenon, it carries significant weight on the home front, too. The following are some anime facts and statistics that show the state of the anime industry in its homeland.

See which industry segments are worth the most, what the average salaries are like, and what is the top-grossing anime in the 2020/2021 season.

1. Anime industry statistics from 2021 show that overseas sales were the largest market segment.

(Statista)

In January 2021, Statista released a report on the sales revenue of the anime industry in Japan. It shows that overseas, the Japanese anime industry raked in around $13.7 billion in 2019. This encompassed all industry aspects, including broadcasting, merchandising, live entertainment etc.

Domestically, the largest sales segment was anime-themed and anime-related merchandise (excluding digital merchandising). This market segment generated slightly more than $6.67 billion in 2019.

2. Anime statistics regarding earnings reveal that the average salaries are very low.

(Kotaku)

The Japanese Animation Creators Association report on the average salaries for different positions in the anime industry shows that many employees earn less than minimum wage. The minimum wage in Japan varies by location, with Tokyo paying the highest minimum—$10.41/ hour.

Anime stats show that working at high positions like a series director or chief animation director gets one from $64,763 to $74,512 a year. Workers at lower positions earn significantly less—$36,634 for cinematographers, $26,872 for layout artists, and $22,393 for paint staff.

3. Demon Slayer beat Spirited Away for top-grossing film in Japanese history.

(Cartoon Brew)

Now, let’s look into anime facts and the history of the genre. Notably, one of the most critical facts was overturned in 2020—Spirited Away (produced by Studio Ghibli and directed by Hayao Miyazaki) is no longer the top-grossing animated film in Japan’s history, anime facts for 2020 reveal.

It lost that prestige to Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train (produced by Ufotable and directed by Haruo Sotozaki, based on Koyoharu Gotoge’s manga Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba). Mugen Train earned approximately $372 million domestically.

4. Japanese anime industry statistics show an increase in domestic sales.

(Statista)

The anime industry in Japan achieved domestic revenue of approximately $15 billion in 2019, contributing toward a record total of about $28.8 billion.

Anime audience demographics reflect the overall ageing of Japan’s population. Thus anime shows aimed at adult viewers have become increasingly important to the industry. They are popular as both classic TV programs and video streaming genres.

Worldwide Anime Popularity Statistics and Facts

Anime culture is booming around the world. We found out what the world’s favourite anime is, what’s the top genre, and how fast the industry will grow in the coming years.

5 . As of January 2021, Jujutsu Kaisen was a favourite all around the world.

(Crunchyroll)

In January 2021, Crunchyroll analyzed its database to see which anime got the highest number of unique viewers. The sample was over three million premium users.

The analysis covered countries from North America, South America, Europe, Oceania, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Jujutsu Kaisen consistently appeared as a favourite in each region. According to Crunchyroll’s anime audience statistics, it was the favourite show in 71 countries and territories worldwide.

6. The global anime market will grow to US$43.73 billion by 2027.

(Brand Essence Research)

The anime market includes TV shows, movies, videos, merchandise, music, internet content, pachinko, and live entertainment. According to anime statistics of 2020, it was valued at US$24.43 billion.

Astoundingly, projections mark further increase. Anime industry statistics predict that the market will see a US$20.5 billion increase in revenue by 2027, at an 8.80% CAGR.

7. Shounen is the most popular genre of anime in the world.

(Binge.co)

Shounen took the spotlight in 2021 with shows like Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia. This genre is characterized by featuring a teen male protagonist and including the elements of action, adventure, fantasy, and fighting.

Other top genres around the globe include supernatural (e.g., Soul Eater, Tokyo Ghoul), a slice of life (Violet Evergarden), romance (Kimi no Na Wa), and magic (Fate/Zero, Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei).

Cool Facts and Anime Industry Statistics for Canadian Fans

Anime as an entertainment medium is growing in popularity. There is a significant market for it outside of Japan, and Canada is no exception. Take a look at these stats about the anime industry in Canada that we compiled.

8. About a quarter of Canadian TV watchers are anime fans.

(Statista)

Statista conducted a Global Consumer Survey in Canada in 2020 to see which types of films or shows were most watched on TV. Anime watchers, statistics showed, comprised 26% of the respondents.

9. Statistics on anime popularity place Canada as the ninth-biggest market outside Japan.

(Parrot Analytics)

In 2018, Parrot Analytics measured the average daily demand expression per 100 capita to see which countries outside Japan had the highest demand for anime content.

Canada placed ninth, with just below 0.3 demand expressions per 100 capita. By comparison, the US placed first, with a roughly 0.95 demand expression factor.

10. Canada agreed to just shy of 200 anime contracts in 2019.

(Financial Times)

According to data provided by the Association of Japanese Animations and the CLSA group, Canada has made just short of 200 anime contracts in 2019. These statistics for anime viewership place Canada in fourth place in the world.

Other than Canada, Taiwan, South Korea, and America ranked highly. The US took the top spot, with almost 300 anime contracts agreed to in 2019.

11. Crunchyroll’s statistics for anime viewership show that Canadians love Fantasy and Adventure anime.

(Crunchyroll)

The popular streaming service Crunchyroll did a review of top streaming countries in the Winter 2020 season. According to their stats, these were the most popular shows in Canada:

  • Black Clover
  • Naruto Shippuden
  • Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
  • One Piece
  • Fairy Tail
  • Hunter x Hunter
  • Haikyuu!!
  • My Hero Academia
  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
  • Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

12. There were 34,558 people at Anime North in 2019.

(AnimeCons CA)

One of our favourite facts about anime conventions is just how big they are in Canada. Anime North is held in Toronto and is dedicated to anime, manga, games, music, and other aspects of Japanese culture.

In 2019, there were 34,558 people total at the convention. Of these, 29,573 were paid attendees. Guests included actors, authors, cosplayers, writers, editors, entertainers, and even an anime anthropologist.

13. There is an anime character named Canada.

(Anime Characters Database)

One of the more amusing facts about anime characters is that their names are often blatant highlights of their traits. A girl with pink hair will be named Sakura (cherry blossom), a cunning and crafty guy might be called Itachi (weasel), and so on.

Hetalia: Axis Powers features a guy named Canada. His key traits—carries around a plushy bear, is soft-spoken and shy, and people always confuse him with America.

Other famous Canadian anime characters include Amuro Ray (Mobile Suit Gundam), Jean-Jacques Leroy and Isabella Yang (both from Yuri!!! on Ice).

14. Canadians boast exclusive bilingual Pokemon Game Tip Cards.

(Bulbagarden)

Anime industry statistics for Canada reveal that games are just as popular as TV shows. Pokemon, one of the most popular anime-based games, features Canadian-exclusive merchandise that caters to its bilingual market.

In 1999, Danone, Black Diamond, and Kellogg’s included Pokemon Game Tip Cards in their product packages, with the tip in both English and French. The tips referred to Pokemon Snap, Red, Blue, and Yellow.

Assorted Random Anime Facts

On a final note, let’s take a look at this collection of astonishing and impressive facts about anime in general. We discovered what inspires major villains, how the trademark visuals came to be, and more.

15. Space Brothers was dubbed from outer space.

(Anime News Network)

The anime Space Brothers follows the story of two boys aspiring to become astronauts. Episode 31 includes a non-manga scene featuring a real-life astronaut, Akihiko Hoshide. His role is one of the most widely known crazy anime facts—he did his voice recording session in outer space!

Hoshide was aboard the International Space Station at the time, researching the effects of zero-gravity on bone density.

He said that recording in space was “quite difficult, but [he] did [his] best.” The session was conducted by the Space Brothers anime staff from the Tsukuba Space Center.

16. Steins; Gate gave Dr Pepper a breakthrough in the Japanese market.

(Kotaku)

One of the more notorious anime facts and details you can find online is the phenomenon of product placement, either outright or with tiny variations to avoid copyright issues.

Dr Pepper struggled to succeed in Japan, competing with Coke and Pepsi. However, the anime Steins; Gate features an “intellectual drink, for the chosen ones” called “Dk Pepper.”

Thanks to that, the famous retailer Sangatsu Usagi is reporting Dr Pepper sellouts. There is even a shop dedicated to various types of Dr Pepper, with signs pointing it out as the drink from Steins; Gate.

17. The Titans in Attack on Titan were inspired by a drunkard.

(Anime News Network)

Among the many quirky true facts about anime, the origins of the Shingeki no Kyojin monsters stand out for being part scary, part hilarious. The Titans are based on a random drunkard that creator Hajime Isayama encountered while working at an internet cafe.

He said that the inability to communicate with someone of the same species inspired him to create the Titans. The encounter made him think that the most frightening animal is the most familiar one—humans.

18. The visual style of anime is heavily influenced by Disney.

(Escapist Magazine)

Here’s a favourite from anime facts you didn’t know—Disney films basically shaped the anime style we know today. Osamu Tezuka, who is credited as the forebear of the anime style, was heavily influenced by the Disney content of his time.

Reportedly, his influences include Bambi, Mickey Mouse, Betty Boop, and the Uncle Scrooge comics drawn by Carl Barks.

Conclusion

The above facts about anime indicate that the industry is going strong both domestically and internationally. Exclusive merchandise, clever product placement, conventions, etc., ensure steady industry growth across regions.

FAQ

What was the first anime?

The earliest history of anime is still a little unclear, but the general consensus seems to be that the first Japanese animated film came out in 1917. Most likely, this was Dekobō shingachō ‒ Meian no shippai, from February 1917, by Shimokawa Ōten.

(Frederick S. Litten)

What is the #1 anime?

There are several cult classics, like Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Death Note, Cowboy Bebop, Attack on Titan, etc., but there isn’t one definitive answer.

The Anime News Network cites Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood as number one anime based on their voting results.

The Japan Travel Guide – Japan Web Magazine gave the title to Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba on March 17, 2021. MerchDope and CBR both exalt Death Note as the “best anime series of all time.”

(Anime News Network) (JW) (MerchDope) (CBR)

Is anime growing in popularity?

According to Google Trends for 2020, consumption of content labelled “anime” has skyrocketed this year, specifically since the start of the lockdown, marking the increase of anime industry net worth in 2020.

To narrow it down further, the searches for “anime news” are growing exponentially. In addition, anime views are peaking on YouTube as well as on streaming services like Crunchyroll.

(Anime Motivation)

What percentage of the world watches anime?

As of now, there are no actual estimates of how many people watch anime worldwide. That said, we can still make assumptions based on the data at our disposal.

In July 2020, Crunchyroll, one of the top anime streaming platforms, celebrated reaching a milestone, marking 70 million overall registered users from all over the world. Of them, 3 million are paid users. Taking these figures into consideration, we might assume that, at the very least, there are 70 million people (0.91% of the world’s population) who love watching anime.

(Crunchyroll)

How big of an industry is anime?

The anime industry is large, and it only keeps growing. In 2018, the worldwide anime market was worth around $25.59 billion. Industry insights predict growth at a CAGR of 8.8% up to 2025. One of the biggest drivers will be the diversification of film production funding procedures.

(Grand View Research)

How much is the anime industry worth?

According to the Association of Japanese Animations, the anime industry was worth $28.8 billion in 2019. This data on anime industry net worth encompasses the related live entertainment, commodities, video games, arcades, and amusement centers.

In terms of only anime studios and producers, the AJA reported revenue of $3.6 billion in 2019. The anime industry statistics for last year have not yet been released.

(Cartoon Brew)

Sources:

Doroteja Balaban

Doroteja is a content creator and language play enthusiast with a penchant for noticing links between seemingly unrelated ideas. She puts this observational quirk to use in her career as a content writer, researching and writing compelling articles and blog posts about education, health, fitness, ecommerce, pets, and science. When not working, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, exploring different types of coffee, and trying to make puns work in different languages.

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