‘Demon Slayer’ and ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ at the forefront of data showing anime as the Asia Pacific region's most underutilized growth engine

Anime is proving to be the most underexploited growth driver for streaming services across the Asia-Pacific region, according to fresh data from Ampere Analysis presented at the Asia TV Forum and Market in Singapore. Popular titles like Demon Slayer and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners highlight a widening gap between high viewer demand and the offerings of local streaming platforms.

Moto Ara of Ampere Analysis detailed the regions anime consumption and catalog trends, showing that Asia-Pacific hosts the worlds largest anime audience while local platforms lag behind global competitors in content supply. The study did not include figures from Japan.

The availability of distinct Japanese anime titles on international subscription VOD platforms outside Japan has surged by 80% over five years, from 4,397 titles in 2021 to an estimated 7,865 by the end of 2025. Long-standing franchises like One Piece (1,145 episodes), Detective Conan (1,177), Crayon Shin-chan (1,301), and Naruto continue to anchor regional viewing habits.

Anime enjoys particularly strong followings in APAC countries, with 59% of internet users in the Philippines, 50% in Indonesia, 43% in Singapore, and 42% in India identifying as anime viewers. Local supply reflects this demand: Asia-Pacific platforms offer 5,007 distinct anime titles, surpassing North America and Western Europe. Taiwan leads with 3,776 titles, followed by South Korea (2,181) and Singapore (1,325).

Viewing patterns blend classics and contemporary hits. In South Korea, popular titles in the past year include Neon Genesis Evangelion, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Suzume. Genre breakdowns show that sci-fi and fantasy, represented by series like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, make up 33% of available anime, followed by action and adventure at 22%, and children and family content at another 22%.

Anime fans also represent a highly valuable streaming demographic. They tend to be young, gender-balanced, and watch an average of 4 hours and 12 minutes daily across subscription platforms, free online video, and linear TV. Key motivations for subscriptions include access to multi-season libraries, device flexibility, and family-friendly content. In countries like the Philippines and Thailand, anime viewers demonstrate lower churn rates compared to non-fans, making the genre a strong retention driver.

Despite the genres popularity and viewer loyalty, most local streaming services remain underrepresented in anime offerings. Amperes analysis shows that only Taiwan and South Korea have robust local anime catalogs, carrying 87% and 74% of available titles, respectively. Across Southeast Asia, global platforms dominate: they supply 52% of anime in Indonesia, 61% in Singapore, 74% in India, 80% in Thailand, 88% in Malaysia, and 94% in the Philippines. This highlights significant growth potential for local services in a category that consistently drives engagement.

The presentation also pointed to a healthy pipeline of new content. Announced first-run TV, renewals, and film anime projects increased from 281 in 2021 to 384 in 2024, expanding into non-traditional genres and attracting broader audiences. Ampere forecasts Asia-Pacifics subscription streaming market will grow from $24 billion in 2024 to $31 billion by 2030, with anime positioned as a key growth engine.

With a vast catalog of iconic series, including One Piece, Detective Conan, and My Neighbor Totoro, coupled with a rising slate of new releases, anime is emerging as a crucial yet underleveraged opportunity for local streamers across the Asia-Pacific region.

Author: Jackson Miller