For years, Crunchyroll has held the crown as the premier platform for anime lovers. With a deep catalog of both classics and simulcasts, it is become synonymous with anime streaming. The platform’s focus on the genre, strong community presence, and partnerships with Japanese studios give it an authenticity that resonates with die-hard fans. But in recent years, another major player has entered the scene, and that is Netflix. While Crunchyroll may dominate in quantity and cultural cachet, Netflix is approaching the anime industry from a different angle, with equally ambitious goals.

Netflix is not trying to be another Crunchyroll. Instead, according to animebythenumbers.substack.com, it is aiming to use anime as a strategic content pillar to drive global subscriptions and engagement. The streaming giant’s investment in original anime may look modest on the surface, around 20 new titles annually, but the returns are anything but small. Anime is proving to be a high-margin, high-value segment for the platform, and the economics behind it explain why Netflix is leaning in harder than ever before.

The Economics Behind Netflix’s Anime Play

Anime is Becoming One of Netflix's Biggest Successes on the Platform

According to industry analysts, Netflix’s anime portfolio is yielding massive returns. Even if the company spends around $1.2 billion to fund its yearly anime slate, that amount could theoretically cover the production costs of all 250+ anime shows made in Japan annually. By producing only about 20 titles, Netflix appears to be operating with a significant profit margin, possibly as high as 10x on its investment. This suggests that anime is not just a niche add-on for Netflix, it is a core part of its profitability strategy.

Parrot Analytics adds another compelling layer to the story. Their valuation model estimates that anime drives over $2 billion in economic value for Netflix. This figure is not based on just view counts but on the broader value of engagement, retention, and acquisition. Essentially, every anime minute watched carries more weight than other types of content. Parrot even estimates anime to be 70% more valuable per view compared to standard programming, reinforcing that anime fans are not just casual viewers, they are loyal, repeat customers.

Anime’s Stickiness Is the Secret Weapon

Netflix Knows That Anime Fans Will Stick Around and Re-Watch Their Favorites

Anime’s unique appeal lies in how strongly fans connect with it. It is more than just a genre; for many, it is a lifestyle. Fans are known to be very invested, follow seasonal releases, buy merchandise, and participate in online communities. That level of engagement translates into stickiness, a critical metric for platforms looking to reduce churn. Netflix has recognized that anime fans tend to stick around longer and are more likely to subscribe for specific titles, making them a golden demographic in the world of streaming.

This high level of fan commitment gives Netflix a strategic edge. While Crunchyroll continues to lead with its sheer breadth and anime-first approach, Netflix is using the genre as a loyalty engine. By selectively producing high-quality, globally appealing titles, Netflix taps into anime’s power to attract and retain viewers in multiple markets. As competition in the streaming wars heats up, anime is no longer a niche, it is a major front in the battle for attention.

Source: animebythenumbers.substack.com