At Anime Expo 2025, Netflix didn’t just show up – it dominated. Alongside new announcements like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, Sakamoto Days, and Dan Da Dan, the streaming giant revealed a jaw-dropping stat: more than half of its global subscriber base watches anime.
That translates to an estimated 150 million users worldwide diving into everything from nostalgic classics to Netflix-produced originals.
This isn’t just corporate hype. A Dentsu study shared via Variety found similar results – around 48% of Netflix users identify as anime fans. Compare that to Disney+ (32%) and Amazon Prime Video (29%), and Netflix clearly has the strongest anime grip, especially in the U.S. where 63% of its subscribers watch anime content regularly.
Over the past decade, Netflix has steadily invested in anime, both in original productions and adaptations. Hits like Castlevania (produced in Texas but considered anime-adjacent by many fans), Devilman Crybaby, and Beastars have helped expand anime’s mainstream appeal. Even titles like Edgerunners and Pluto pushed genre boundaries, mixing game adaptations with mature, stylized storytelling.
Despite some criticism around quality dips in exclusives (with Sakamoto Days being mentioned by fans), Netflix is doubling down. Dan Da Dan Season 2 is currently airing, and new episodes of Leviathan, My Melody & Kuromi, and Sakamoto Days are lined up for release. The year will close strong with Record of Ragnarok returning in December, and the long-awaited Beastars Final Season Part 2 set for 2026. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 is also confirmed, though without a specific release date.
Still, debates rage over what counts as anime. Some fans argue Western-made shows like Arcane or Castlevania shouldn’t be grouped with traditional Japanese anime. Others are just happy to see animation thrive, regardless of origin. Whether you’re into Pokémon or punching through Hajime no Ippo, Netflix is now a major anime gateway – and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.