The Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) released its preliminary Anime Industry Report 2020 findings on Friday, and plans to release its full findings in a report on November 30. The preliminary report found that the anime industry rose 15.1% to 2.5112 trillion yen (about US$24.18 billion) in 2019. The market was at 1.2661 trillion yen in 2009, so the 2019 numbers represent almost a doubling of the industry in the last decade.
The authors of the report stated they worried that the anime industry would shrink in 2019, due to the declining birthrate in Japan, the shrinking of the domestic market, and China’s tightening of regulations starting in April 2019. However, the anime film market rose 62.4% from the year before to 69.2 billion yen (about US$666.2 million). Additionally, internet distribution rose 15.1% to 68.5 billion yen (about US$659.5 million), and live entertainment rose 9.0% to 84.4 billion yen (about US$812.5 million).
By segment, the overseas market made up the largest share with 1.2009 trillion yen (about US$11.56 billion), up 19.0% from 2018, and a record high. The commodities market made up the next largest share with 581.3 billion yen (about US$5.596 billion), up 16.2% from 2018. The arcade and amusement center business made up the third-largest share with 319.9 billion yen (about US$3.08 billion), up 12.8% from 2018. The authors of the report gave credit to the anime adaptations for the Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi franchises for some of the boost in the commodities market, and gave credit to increasing collaborations between anime franchises and pachinko and slot machines for the rise in the arcade and amusement center business.
Anime market segments that decreased in 2019 include TV, home video, and music, continuing a trend from previous years. The television segment decreased by 15.2% and the home video market decreased by 4.1%.
MAL also had an article on it that says most of the same stuff.
Animation Business Journal and Anime! Anime! founder Tadashi Sudo states the outlook for 2020 is bleak—largely due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. There is speculation that sales figures for live performances, merchandise, and theater tickets will decrease. In spite of a potential negative impact from the pandemic, Aniplex, Shueisha, and ufotable are experiencing historic success with the Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) film. Kimetsu no Yaiba Movie: Mugen Ressha-hen set a box-office record in Japan for a film’s first ten days, and totaled 23.35 billion yen (approx. US$225 million) in box-office revenue through its first 30 days. The total made it the fifth-highest grossing film ever in Japan as of November 16.
The AJA and its 83 member companies seek to promote Japanese animation while supporting those involved in its creation. The organization has run Anime Mirai (formerly the Young Animator Training Project) since 2014, and has published the cited annual industry report since 2009. The full 2020 report (detailing 2019) will be available on November 30, and can be purchased from the AJA’s official website. Past editions of the report can be downloaded for free in English and in Japanese.