As schools and colleges close for summer break, Indian OTT platforms are gearing up to cater to diverse age groups with a surge in anime content.
With a burgeoning fan base of 180 million, India ranks second globally after China, driving significant growth in the anime market. The popularity of anime is fueled by Japanese pop culture, global exposure, and demand from millennials and Gen Z.
Experts note that anime appeals particularly to teens and young adults aged 12-24, urging OTT platforms to prioritize this demographic. Sony’s Crunchyroll, with 13 million paid subscribers, leads the charge with over 800 anime titles in India, including localized dubs.
Prime Video Channels and JioCinema have also launched dedicated anime hubs, capitalizing on the genre’s rising popularity. Disney+ Hotstar and Netflix boast substantial anime libraries, indicating a growing trend across OTT platforms.
According to Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini, India holds immense potential as the second-largest anime market globally, with a projected 60% of the genre’s growth expected from the country. Purini highlights that 53 million Indians watch anime from official sources, with a balanced gender distribution.
