Why Netflix Is Using Anime To Take On Disney

Increasing Anime On Netflix

This is Netflix’s Originals Category. You’r probably used to seeing bunch of new shows when you scroll through, but have you noticed a lot more anime recently? Its not just because you watch ‘Aggretsuko’ on your lunch break.

Why Netflix Is Using Anime To Take On Disney

Netflix’s Director pf Anime Taito Okiura said it planned to add 30 new anime series that year, and the company had already announced over Dozen anime series coming 2019.

adding tons of content might sounds like business as usual for company like Netflix, but all this anime could actually be Netflix’s secret weapon in its fight against Disney.

Introduction of Disney +

The Netflix VS Disney arc has already begun. Disney’s own streaming service, Disney+, will launch in 2019. as the launch of Disney+ gets closer, more and more Disney content has been leaving Netflix. There was a time a new “Avengers” movie was almost guaranteed to show up on Netflix, but that’s no longer the case now that their distribution deal has ended.

Because Disney own so much content, Netflix could loose big names like Pixar, Lucas films, Marvel and ever 20th Century Fox, and Disney isn’t the only company launching their own streaming service.

Warner Media , the parent company of CW, HBO and DC, is also launching new service in 2019. So besides Disney’s content, Netflix might also have to say “goodbye” to films and shows owned by Warner-Media, like “Friends” and “river-dale”.

New Original Content

As more entertainment companies start their own streaming services, Netflix will be forced to rely on its own original content, But just like Midoriya cleaning up the beach, Netflix has been Busy.

Over the past few years, Netflix has ramped up the production of the original content, producing 5 times the number of shows in 2018 than in 2016, and the analysts think Netflix could spend around $15 billion in 2019 on original content. For comparison HBO usually spends around $2 billion.

in addition to its live action shows, Netflix has added original anime series, like “Castlevania” and “Devilman crybaby”. And they have plenty of anime classics, like “Full-metal Alchemist” and “Bleach”. But Netflix isn’t just buying a lot of anime, they are changing the way deals are made in the anime industry.

Anime Industry Change By Netflix

Normally, several companies negotiate together to produce, fund, and distribute a show. that way the risk is distributed across all the companies. Netflix on the other hand, is willing to take on more of the risk on its own.

In March, Netflix announced partnerships with 3 Japanese production Houses namely Anima , Sublimation and David Production. Adding to the two partnerships it already had. These production houses have five new anime series for Netflix. Working conditions in the anime industry can be strenuous with long hours and slim margins. Many are hoping that direct deals with Netflix could allow for creative freedom and larger profit for production houses, and because Netflix is available in over 109 countries, it’s possible that having these anime series on the Netflix could bring in a broader audience.

But why is Netflix is focusing so much in the anime specifically? Anime could be big differentiator between Netflix and Disney + . Disney’s original content doesn’t includes any anime, and Disney has said that their service will be family – oriented.

So it probably won’t include mature content seen in shows like Netflix’s “Devilman’s Crybaby”. having an entire category of content that Disney lacks could be a huge advantage for Netflix, especially since the demand for anime has continued to grow, over the last decade.

Competition Ahead

But not only Netflix is there in anime streaming market alone. Anime streaming giant Crunchyroll now owned by AT&T have huge user base. They have 45 million users and 2 million subscribers to their service. They are going in new partnership with Adult swim to show more TV anime on service and vise versa. Which resulting in the Airing of MOB PSYCHO 100.

Disney after buying 20 th Century Fox now have 60% share and control on streaming service Hulu. and Hulu itself is having a big library of anime. Which also have the exclusive streaming rights of One Punchaman Season 2.