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Report: Domestic/Int'l Animation Market in Japan Grew 5.8% in '10 (Updated)

The Animation Market Analysis Project of Japan's Media Development Research Institute (MDRI) reported on September 9 that the market for domestic and foreign animation in Japan grew 5.8% to 229.0 billion yen (about US$2.55 billion) in 2010. This was the second annual increase in a row, after the 1.6% increase the previous year.

The same research firm had reported that the market peaked at 241.5 billion yen (US$2.53 billion) in 2006, before dipping to 230.2 billion yen (US$2.41 billion) in 2007 and again to 212.9 billion yen (US$2.26 billion) — a 7.5% drop — in 2008. (Due to the fluctuating currency exchange rate, the decrease or increase in U.S. dollars is often different than it is in the original yen.)


* Data before 2000 are listed in 5-year intervals.

These figures cover both Japanese animated works and foreign animated works that were sold or distributed within Japan. The results include theatrical films, home video sales and rentals, television animation, and online distribution via computers, Internet Protocol Television, and mobile phones.

MRI noted that the data reflects the significant contributions that hit animated films have made to the overall market in recent years. Titles such as the Japanese anime film Arrietty (9.25 billion yen) and the American animated film Toy Story 3 (10.8 billion yen) lifted the overall box office total higher in 2010.

By contrast, the number of animated television works continued its general downward trend from its peak in 2006, as the over-the-air television market overall grew smaller. On the other hand, the number of viewers for animation channels on satellite and cable television grew, as did the market for pay television.

While overall home video sales contracted from the previous year, sales for animated works grew. Animated works accounted for about 60 percent of the money spent on Blu-ray Discs last year and the first half of this year.

The market for paid distribution on personal computers showed little change, but the mobile anime distribution market grew. The combined market for animation titles via computers and mobile devices was still a small slice of the overall market.

Source: animeanime.biz

Update: Toy Story 3's title corrected. Thanks, enurtsol.