Blue Box

Source: Netflix

‘Blue Box’

Japan’s online video industry is set to account for 45% of the country’s total screen revenue by 2029, according to a report by Media Partners Asia (MPA).

The figure would represent a 10% increase on 2024, in which online video – including free and paid TV plus theatrical – makes up 35% of total screen revenue, according to MPA.

The report predicts that revenues from online video will reach $15.3bn per year by 2029, while total screen revenue will jump from this year’s $31.8bn to $34.1bn in 2029. Revenues will be led by YouTube and other social video platforms, followed by paid streaming platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video and U-Next, and ad-based platforms like TVer.

In terms of paid content, anime continues to lead the way in Japan, accounting for 36% of premium VOD engagement from January to September 2024. MPA states that streaming has become the prime way anime is now monetised, at 50%, followed by TV at 27%. In addition, anime accounts for more than 8% of total screen industry revenue. This year, of the top 200 titles on Japanese SVOD platforms through September, 117 were anime.

Top domestic studios in the SVOD space include TMS Entertainment, TBS and Aniplex, while Hollywood studios WBD, Paramount, Disney and Sony have also contributed to demand.

MPA executive director Vivek Couto also touched on the country’s theatrical industry, stating that “the number of theatrical releases has recovered back to pre-Covid levels and local movies continue their dominance at home with around 70% share of gross box office.”

Anime continues to dominate that space as well, with domestic animated titles accounting for half of this year’s top 10 box office earners so far this year.