"Anime Expo Highlights 'Sakamoto Days' Amidst Netflix's Announcement of Expanded Global Audience"
Netflix has taken the anime world by storm, with over half of its 300 million global users now tuning into anime content on the platform. This surge in viewership, which has tripled over the past five years, has propelled anime from niche entertainment to a mainstream, global phenomenon.
The streaming giant is capitalising on this boom by making anime a core part of its offering. At industry events like Anime Expo, Netflix unveiled new trailers, clips, and images for upcoming series such as "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2", "Sakamoto Days", and "My Melody & Kuromi".
"Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2" returns to the cybernetic-implant-riddled dystopia of its video game counterpart, "Cyberpunk 2077". The series follows a talented but reckless street kid with ambitions to become a mercenary outlaw edgerunner.
"Sakamoto Days" follows former legendary hitman Taro Sakamoto who retired for love but must fight to protect his family when his past resurfaces. New episodes of "Sakamoto Days" will drop weekly starting July 14. "My Melody & Kuromi", an original stop-motion series featuring beloved Sanrio characters, premieres on July 24.
Netflix's strategy of catering to both newcomers and longtime anime fans is evident in its diverse slate of genres. From action/adventure and fantasy/isekai, to sci-fi, fighting, and romance/slice-of-life, the Netflix anime slate offers something for everyone. Other notable titles include "Baki Hanma x Kengan Ashura", "Ranma 1⁄2", and "Pokémon Concierge".
The popularity of Netflix's anime content is evident in its viewer engagement. In 2024, anime was viewed over 1 billion times on Netflix, with 80 to 90 percent of viewers preferring dubbed versions. A Dentsu study found that 31% of global consumers watch anime weekly, with strong viewership in Asia-Pacific (Thailand, Indonesia, Japan) and growing interest in Western markets like the U.S. and U.K.
Netflix leads among streaming services for anime, with 48% of global anime viewers subscribing to it, compared to 32% for Disney+ and 29% for Prime Video. Legal streaming now dominates anime consumption, with a significant decline in piracy, further driven by services like Netflix and Crunchyroll.
As it continues to expand its anime slate aggressively, Netflix is shaping the future of anime by blending traditional Japanese storytelling with global accessibility through localization and aggressive content development. With new titles launching simultaneously in 190 countries, dubbed audio and audio descriptions in up to 33 languages, and anime content being watched by over 300 million people across more than 150 million households, Netflix is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the anime world.
Movies-and-TV shows like "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2", "Sakamoto Days", and "My Melody & Kuromi" are part of Netflix's extensive anime offerings, which cater to both newcomers and longtime fans. The popularity of these shows, along with other Netflix anime titles, has made the platform a significant player in the entertainment industry and a leading choice for anime consumption worldwide.
