tech
December 31, 2025
Demon Slayer economics: how the anime juggernaut became a saviour
Once underground art form now props up slumped box office sales and is used by governments to build soft power
TL;DR
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle achieved record-breaking success in its opening weekend and globally.
- Anime has grown from an underground niche to a significant force in the entertainment industry, especially during recent box office slumps.
- Specialist streaming services like Crunchyroll, owned by Sony, have spent years building global fanbases for anime franchises.
- Anime's global reach has been amplified by its origins in manga and its adaptability into various media formats, attracting major studios.
- Anime is increasingly referenced by athletes and has become a 'lingua franca' for young people worldwide.
- The phenomenon of 'Oshikatsu' or devout fanaticism, supercharged by K-pop, contributes to the rise of anime.
- The Japanese government is leveraging anime as part of its 'Cool Japan' initiative to boost its economy and cultural tourism.
- Netflix is a major competitor in the anime streaming space, with a tripled number of subscribers watching anime in the last five years.
- Future anime releases include further installments of Demon Slayer and live-action adaptations like One Piece.
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