Anime isn’t just a cultural export from Japan anymore; it’s a global entertainment force.
What was once a niche genre is now a cornerstone of mainstream pop culture, reaching audiences across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Shows like Demon Slayer, One Piece, and Attack on Titan are topping charts on Netflix and Crunchyroll, while anime-inspired video games and merchandise are generating billions. For investors, this explosive popularity translates into real opportunity.
In this guide, we break down eight of the best anime stocks for 2025.
TL;DR: Top Anime Stocks
Want in on anime’s global boom? These eight stocks let you invest in studios, streamers, and IP giants powering the industry:
- Sony (SONY) – Owns Crunchyroll, a leading anime platform
- Netflix (NFLX) – Producing global anime originals
- Disney (DIS) – Streaming anime via Disney+ Japan
- Kadokawa (KDKWF) – Studio behind hit light novels and anime
- Bandai Namco (NCBDF) – Sells toys and games tied to anime IP
- Nintendo (NTDOY) – Pokémon anime and cross-media strategy
- Tencent (TCEHY) – Invests in anime streaming and games
- Toei Animation (TOEAF) – Studio behind Dragon Ball & One Piece
Why Invest in Anime Stocks?
Anime is one of the fastest-growing content categories in global entertainment.
Its rise coincides with two megatrends: the explosion of digital streaming and the global expansion of intellectual property (IP) monetization.
Streaming platforms are hungry for unique content, and anime provides a cost-effective, high-engagement option that appeals to younger viewers across borders.
Anime also has a unique “flywheel effect”: a hit show doesn’t just generate ad revenue or subscriptions—it powers toy sales, mobile game downloads, movie spin-offs, and global licensing deals.
That makes it highly monetizable and sticky.
From an investment standpoint, companies with strong anime exposure are benefiting from:
- International subscriber growth
- Merchandising and licensing profits
- Long-tail revenue from evergreen IPs like Dragon Ball, Pokémon, and One Piece
For U.S. investors, this opens up a global playing field, with anime-adjacent opportunities in Japan, the U.S., and China.
What Exactly Is an “Anime Stock”?
If you’re wondering what counts as an “anime stock,” you’re not alone.
It’s not a formal category you’ll see in your brokerage app, but it’s a useful way to think about companies that profit from anime’s growing global popularity.
In simple terms, an anime stock is any publicly traded company that earns a significant portion of its revenue from anime content, franchises, or anime-driven products and services.
That could mean creating anime, streaming it, or selling games and merchandise based on anime characters.
Most anime-related companies fall into one of three groups:
Anime Producers and Studios:
These companies are the creative force behind the scenes. They develop and animate the shows, often working with publishers or distributors.
Think of names like Toei Animation or Kadokawa, which produce some of Japan’s biggest anime hits.
Distributors and Streaming Platforms:
These firms bring anime to audiences across the globe. Sony, for instance, owns Crunchyroll, one of the world’s largest anime streaming platforms.
Netflix and Disney are also investing heavily in anime as part of their content strategies.
IP Owners and Merchandisers:
Some companies generate revenue by owning and licensing anime characters, games, and toy lines.
Bandai Namco and Nintendo fit here. They may not produce the shows, but their franchises power billion-dollar merchandise ecosystems tied to anime properties.
So when we talk about “anime stocks” in this article, we’re referring to publicly traded companies that are actively involved in the anime value chain, from creation and distribution to monetization.
These are the players turning anime into a high-growth, global business.
The 8 Best Anime Stocks to Buy Now
Sony Group (SONY)
Overview:
Sony represents the global epicenter of anime distribution.
Apart from its anime content through Aniplex and Sony Pictures, its ownership of Crunchyroll—a leading anime streaming platform—cements its role in global anime expansion.
The company meticulously bundles anime within its Entertainment & Technology portfolio, making it accessible to international audiences.
Growth Catalysts:
Crunchyroll is expanding its subscriber base and introducing more originals each year.
Collaborations with top studios and multilingual distribution enhance global reach.
Sony’s vast hardware ecosystem, including PlayStation and imaging devices, cross-promotes anime IP, which in turn maximizes output.
Risks:
Competitive pressure arises from platforms like Netflix and Disney. Managing Crunchyroll’s profitability amid content costs is key.
Sony is also exposed to currency fluctuations, as international revenue plays a significant role in EPS.
Our View:
Sony offers investors diversified exposure, from anime streaming to hardware..
If Crunchyroll continues to grow and Sony effectively monetizes its anime IP, this stock benefits from both entertainment and tech growth.
Netflix (NFLX)
Overview:
Netflix flipped the script by making anime a central genre in its programming lineup. High-profile originals like “Blue Eye Samurai” and “Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush!!” have shown Netflix’s commitment to anime as a growth vehicle. 
It acts both as a distributor and an occasional financier alongside Japanese studios.
Growth Catalysts:
Strategic anime investments help Netflix win international subscribers. Original anime usually draws large global audiences.
Strategic partnerships with studios (such as Production I.G.) and dubbing investment spotlight anime as essential programming.
Risks:
Content competition is fierce—Disney+ and Crunchyroll are also ramping up their efforts. To that end, producing high‑quality anime can be costly, squeezing margins.
Overreliance on anime could damage the platform’s diversity. Also, saturation risk and regulation in new markets loom.
Conclusion:
Netflix offers indirect but effective exposure to anime’s expansion. Its investment and success in anime content help attract and retain subscribers.
Investors should track content ROI and competitive factors carefully.
Walt Disney (DIS)
Overview:
Disney enters the anime space through licensing deals and Disney+ expansion.
In Japan, Disney+ features dubbed anime and plans to co-develop anime titles to attract local subscribers.
Growth Catalysts:
Disney’s extensive IP library and financial muscle create space for co‑producing anime.
Collaborations with top Japanese studios could boost its streaming service. Adding anime content can diversify Disney+’s family‑oriented appeal.
Risks:
Disney’s long-term strategy remains U.S.‑centric, possibly slowing anime initiatives.
The streaming segment’s profitability is under scrutiny due to heightened content costs and subscriber churn.
Conclusion:
While Disney isn’t a core anime player, expanding anime programming could enhance its streaming appeal in key markets.
For long-term investors, watching partnerships and localized content is crucial.
Kadokawa Corporation (KDKWF)
Overview:
Kadokawa is a powerhouse in manga, light novels, film, and anime production.
Titles like Re:Zero, Spice and Wolf, and Assassination Classroom make it a premier IP studio. It’s deeply involved in content creation across media.
Growth Catalysts:
Kadokawa regularly acquires studios such as Doga Kobo in July 2024. Its partnership with Sony, which purchased a 10% share in Jan 2025 to co-develop anime, boosts resources and exposure.
Integration with Dwango and BookWalker helps Kadokawa scale its digital media.
Risks:
Japanese market currency risk and lower liquidity on OTC can create volatility. High valuation implies expectations of outsized growth.
Deals like studio mergers or acquisition outcomes remain uncertain.
Conclusion:
For investors seeking direct exposure to anime IP creation, Kadokawa offers it.
Although smaller and riskier than its global peers, its content pipeline and Sony backing make it a compelling option.
Bandai Namco Holdings (NCBDF)
Overview:
Behind anime legends like Gundam and Dragon Ball, Bandai Namco spans toys, video games, arcade machines, theme parks, and film.
Its IP-centric model maximizes returns across platforms.
Growth Catalysts:
Multinational toy and game sales, supported by anime IPs, anchor stable free cash flow.
Touristic ventures like Gundam statues and themed cafes expand fan engagement. Upcoming anime seasons of Gundam and Dragon Ball can boost ancillary revenue.
Risks:
Relies on toy/game cycles; anime content isn’t its sole driver. COVID and touring disruptions can impair offline revenue.
Strong competition from digital entertainment increases pressure.
Conclusion:
Bandai Namco offers a balanced mix of anime content, gaming, and toys that come with consistency and global scale. Its diversified revenue and IP depth make it a compelling mid-cap choice.
Nintendo (NTDOY)
Overview:
Though primarily known for gaming, Nintendo’s iconic franchises like Pokémon, Mario, and Zelda cross into anime.
Pokémon anime is vital in its media network, supporting merchandise and game sales.
Growth Catalysts:
Revived demand for Pokémon series, upcoming seasons, films, and mobile titles could amplify earnings.
Collaborations,like with Netflix’s Pokémon: Paldean Winds, set the stage for renewed fan engagement. New game launches using anime IP historically drive merch and streaming interest.
Risks:
Gaming remains the company’s primary focus, while anime acts in support. Exposure to Nintendo’s broader cycles and console life cycles overshadows anime.
U.S. investors must choose between OTC or ADRs and typically rely on brokerage offerings.
Conclusion:
Nintendo provides indirect yet significant exposure to anime through its major franchises. It’s a stable pick, but analysts should view anime as complementary to robust gaming operations.
Tencent Holdings (TCEHY)
Overview:
China’s tech giant Tencent is deeply invested in anime via game adaptations, streaming services (Tencent Video), and stakes in studios.
It helps bridge Chinese and Japanese anime, and exports them into global markets.
Growth Catalysts:
Strategic investments—like Bilibili and Tencent Video—are designed to strengthen its anime reach. Live adaptations, app launches, and Chinese IP acquisitions diversify content. Global expansion, especially across Southeast Asia, is ongoing.
Risks:
Regulatory risks from China in both gaming and entertainment remain persistent and can slow expansion. Not being purely anime-focused, Tencent has a multitude of intellectual properties to juggle.
Conclusion:
Tencent offers diversified exposure, with significant investments in anime-related assets. It’s a larger tech play with an indirect anime upside, suited for investors comfortable with Chinese-tech complexities.
Toei Animation (TOEAF)
Overview:
Toei Animation is one of the oldest and most influential anime studios, producing One Piece, Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and Digimon.
Its legacy franchises remain evergreen globally.
Growth Catalysts:
One Piece live-action (on Netflix) serves to boost IP value. Renewed interest in Dragon Ball via new anime and film projects creates new avenues for licensing and merchandise sales. Legacy shows combined with digital streaming make for stable profit.
Risks:
Revenue depends heavily on a few franchises, and anime production costs continue to increase. Exchange‑rate volatility affects U.S. returns. Limited liquidity on OTC listings may affect investment interest. .
Conclusion:
Toei offers pure-play anime exposure with a balanced mix of legacy and active IP.
Strong fundamentals, heritage content, and live-action adaptations make it an elite choice—but it’s best placed as a complement to diversified holdings.
Pro Tips for Folks in the U.S.
If you’re based in the U.S. and want to get exposure to anime stocks, here are a few smart moves to make:
Use ADRs and U.S.-Listed Stocks Where Possible
Sony (SONY), Netflix (NFLX), and Nintendo (NTDOY) are all available on U.S. exchanges.
This makes buying and selling easy through platforms like Robinhood, Charles Schwab, Fidelity, or E*TRADE.
Access OTC Listings With Care
Kadokawa, Toei Animation, and Bandai Namco trade OTC. You can buy them using Interactive Brokers, Fidelity, or TD Ameritrade—but pay attention to liquidity and bid-ask spreads.
Consider ETFs for Broader Exposure
Some ETFs include anime or anime-adjacent stocks:
- iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ): Includes Bandai, Nintendo, and Sony from an anime standpoint while capturing many of the country’s other notable industries.
- KraneShares Asia Pacific ETF (KALL): May include Tencent or other Asia media firms
While not anime-exclusive, these ETFs give you diversified access to entertainment and tech-heavy names in Asia.
Hedge Your Currency Risk
If you’re heavily exposed to Japanese stocks, be mindful of yen-dollar fluctuations. Some brokers offer yen-hedged ETFs or forex features.
Watch the Anime Release Calendar
Earnings spikes often correlate with big anime releases, movie tie-ins, or mobile game launches. Staying in tune with the anime calendar can help you anticipate catalysts.
Are Anime Stocks a Good Investment?
Considering analysts’ growth expectations, anime stocks present a good opportunity for fans and investors.
Anime content has become increasingly popular worldwide, gaining significant traction in the market.
Experts project that the anime market could grow at a CAGR of 9.5% through 2029.
If so, it’s possible that the total industry market cap could double to nearly $50 billion by the end of the decade.
Any growing sector such as this is always worth a closer look, especially when there’s so much uncertainty elsewhere.
However, it’s important to remember that the performance of those stocks will likely not fully correlate with the performance of the anime industry.
Consider these variables when you decide to invest in anime stocks so you can afford yourself the best chance at success.
Anime Stocks FAQs
Can individuals in the U.S. buy anime stocks from Japan?
A: Yes—via ADRs on U.S. exchanges or OTC listings. Full Japanese stock access is also available through certain brokers..
Does Crunchyroll’s growth substantiate investing in Sony?
A: Yes—Crunchyroll has added millions of subscribers post-acquisition. Continued content expansion is crucial for its long-term value.
Which stocks risk underperforming due to regulation?
A: Tencent is most exposed—China’s entertainment regulation could impact revenue unexpectedly.
Are anime stocks only for fans?
A: Not at all. They’re merit-based picks across diversified business models: content creation, intellectual property, hardware/software, and platforms.
Should I buy one type of anime stock or a mix of them?
A: For balanced exposure, building a mini‑portfolio—Sony + Toei/Kadokawa for content + Bandai for IP monetization—can capture both scale and niche growth.
Conclusion
Anime’s global acceleration has sparked investor interest in entertainment, tech, and IP-rich companies.
Whether you prefer diversified giants like Sony and Netflix or niche pure‑plays like Toei, each of these eight stocks offers unique ways to honor anime’s momentum.
From blockbuster streaming platforms to Japanese studios and toy/game ecosystems, the sector combines creativity and investment potential.
Thinking about which anime stock to add to your portfolio? Save this guide to revisit as the anime boom continues.
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