Japanese Anime Has A Growing Opportunity In The U.S. Compared To China

BusinessHollywood & EntertainmentJapanese Anime Has A Growing Opportunity In The U.S. Compared To ChinaByKalai Chik,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Kalai Chik is a L.A.-based writer covering animation and Asian media.Follow AuthorMay 15, 2026, 06:15pm EDTBOSTON, MA - MAY 12: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a photo with performers dressed as Luffy and Tony Tony Chopper from One Piece prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/MLB Photos via Getty Images)MLB Photos via Getty ImagesSeasonal Japanese anime in Mainland China has ground to a halt while the global anime market hit an all-time high of $25 billion in 2024. In order for Japan to achieve sustained growth for anime as growth in China slows, Japanese companies will need to expand the genre’s influence by building relationships with fans and media from the ground up.Since 2020, China’s interest in Japanese franchises has gradually decreased among younger generations, as overseas content censorship has increased, even before the current spike in political tensions. Six years ago, internet users in China viewed less Japanese anime compared to local Chinese-produced anime content for the first time, according to a 2024 report from Rice University’s Baker Institute. This continues with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s inflammatory actions and remarks in November 2025, putting further strain on Japanese-Chinese relations.Bar chart of new seasonal anime officially available in Mainland China through Bilibili. By Kalai ChikIncreasing Anime CensorshipAs a result of Japan’s deteriorating relations with China, the number of Chinese fans of Japanese animation is shrinking. MORE FOR YOUBefore the current suspension, Mainland China averaged 13 new licensed anime titles per season from 2023 to 2026 on Bilibili. Staggeringly, that’s h...