Hollywood’s glitter may still gleam, but it is not as alluring as it once was. As the big screen leans on familiar formulas and endless sequels, a quiet shift brews among viewers looking for fresh narrative. Eyes once glued to blockbuster IPs now wander towards a more vibrant and untamed realm of anime, and Netflix finds itself in the right place at the right time.
New data reveals a major shift in viewer taste, with a rising wave of Americans embracing illustrated storytelling from Japan — and the streaming giant quietly cashing in on the cultural crossover.
Hollywood’s copy-paste era sends viewers racing to anime
According to a new study from Dentsu, as reported by Variety,
32 percent of global content consumers enjoy anime once a week. This survey further breaks down the numbers to US viewers, stating that one in three American consumers watches the said form of content. As mentioned earlier, repetitive Hollywood sequels and remakes instigated this shift in viewing trends, with Netflix being there to accommodate fan demands. The streamer leads the anime landscape by hosting 63 percent of anime viewers, followed by Hulu and Disney+.
While discussing the evolving viewing patterns, it is noteworthy that anime viewing habits differ largely by generation. Only 9 percent of Baby Boomers agreed to indulging in anime weekly, but the number goes up to 50 percent when talking about Gen Z and Millennials. The top reasons cited by anime fans for choosing it over other content include “unique worlds and stories,” “variety of genres,”
and the captivation of Japanese culture. And well, as previously noted, where there is a prospect, there is Netflix.
Read More: Is ‘Dragon Ball Z Kai’ Available on Netflix? How to Stream the Iconic Anime
In the streaming storm, anime gems from Netflix’s vault
gleam the brightest as they spark obsessions and bend reality.
From cosmic battles to quiet thrillers, Netflix’s anime slate turns heads
A February 2025 list of Best Animation on Netflix by Tudum says Beastars, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Delicious in Dungeon,
and Ōoku: The Inner Chambers
are some of the must-watch offerings for fans with a developed taste in otherworldly stories. For a more timid, soft, and tender fanbase, the streamer’s efforts like My Happy Marriage,
Komi Can’t Communicate,
and more could work best.
Planning your week out in advance? Maximize your binge-watch with our weekly schedule! 📅 pic.twitter.com/60s4RBmCIB
— Netflix Anime (@NetflixAnime) June 30, 2025
Netflix even offers category codes for anime, including Anime for Beginners, Anime Dubbed in English, and more, streamlining the process for new fans of the genre navigating the platform. The small but significant gesture for its viewers corroborates why the platform leads the anime space in the streaming world. Altogether, it looks like Netflix reckons that anime is the north star in the crowded sky of content.
What do you feel about Hollywood getting too repetitive, opening doors for fresh viewing experiences like anime? Let us know in the comments!