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‘Godzilla,’ Record Anime Boom and a Global Co-Production Hunt: Takeaways From the Tokyo Film Festival and Market
Japanese anime spending worldwide reached a record ¥4.45 trillion ($28.2 billion) in 2025, as the Tokyo Film Festival and TIFFCOM focused on how Japan can expand global sales and retain ownership of its intellectual property. The figures and market activity come as the government pursues ¥20 trillion in overseas content sales by 2033.
Domestic anime spending rose 14.1% to ¥1.91 trillion, while overseas revenue increased 17.2% to ¥2.54 trillion, or 57.1% of the total; studio revenue also set a record at ¥505.5 billion. TIFFCOM reported 1,425 registered buyers, up 13%, including 814 from overseas, and announced a second Japan IP Market in Cannes for May 2027. The article also describes plans for a new national anime awards ceremony in 2027 and efforts to attract international partners and investment.
In short
- Global anime spending hit ¥4.45 trillion in 2025.
- Overseas revenue made up 57.1% of the total.
- Japan is pursuing ¥20 trillion in content exports by 2033.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
International partnerships and investment could help Japanese studios reach larger audiences, earn more from overseas demand and fund ambitious productions. With overseas revenue already making up most of anime spending, expanding sales may support jobs and growth while advancing the government’s content-export goals.
The case against
A push for global co-productions and sales could make it harder for Japanese studios to retain ownership and control of their intellectual property. Advocates of a more cautious approach may favour strengthening domestic production capacity and negotiating partnerships carefully, so overseas growth does not come at the cost of long-term creative and commercial independence.
Explained simply
Anime is a major part of Japan’s film and television industry, and its characters and stories can earn money through screenings, streaming, merchandise and other sales. The rights to these creations are known as intellectual property, or IP; holding those rights can give their owners more control over how the work is used and who receives the income.
Japanese studios, producers, rights owners and government agencies are looking for ways to reach more viewers and buyers overseas. International partners can help finance, produce and distribute projects, while Japan’s industry weighs how to share the work and income without giving up too much control of its IP.
The stakes include jobs and earnings for Japan’s creative businesses, as well as the global reach of Japanese stories and characters. The government has set a target for overseas sales of Japanese content, including anime, and film markets such as TIFFCOM bring rights holders together with potential buyers and partners.
Asia Entertainment Film Government Politics World