Have you ever wondered how many anime there are in the world? How many are released each year? How many anime of each genre are available? In this article we'll try to answer these and other questions related to the number of anime.
Anime began to be produced in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century. The first anime recognized as such is generally considered to be "Namakura Gatana", released in 1917. This short film is one of the first examples of what would later evolve into the anime industry we know today.
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The Total Number of Anime
Estimating the total number of anime in the world is not a simple task. Since the beginning of the Japanese animation industry in the early 20th century, thousands of anime have been produced. Currently, it is estimated that there are more than 12,000 anime in different formats, including TV series, films, OVA (Original Video Animation) and specials. This count continues to grow every year as new anime are released.
Around 8,000 to 10,000 TV series have already been produced. It's important to differentiate between single works and seasons. Many popular anime have multiple seasons, which inflates the number of TV series. Approximately 4,000 to 5,000 titles represent single works, while the rest correspond to subsequent seasons.
Around 1,500 to 2,000 anime films have been released so far. Anime films include both original productions and adaptations of popular TV series. Around 3,000 to 4,000 OVAs have been released since this format gained popularity in the 80s.
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Total number of anime by decade
Here is a general estimate of annual anime production over the decades:
- 1917 to 1950s: ~100 animes (mainly shorts)
- 1960s: ~200 animes
- 1970s: ~400 animes
- 1980s: ~800 animes
- 1990s: ~1,200 animes
- 2000s: ~2,000 animes
- 2010s to 2024: ~3,000 to 4,000 animes
How many anime are released each year?
Each year, an average of 200 to 300 new anime series are released in Japan. This number includes both short and long series, as well as remakes and sequels of popular anime. If we also consider films and OVAs, the number of annual releases can easily exceed 500 titles.
The anime industry is highly seasonal, with new anime being released in different seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. Each season brings a new wave of titles ranging from 30 to 50 new series, depending on the year and industry trends.
Evolution of Anime Production Over Time
See below how the animation industry has grown over the decades:
- 1917 to 1950s:
- Initial Production: During the early decades, the production of animes was limited, with few titles released each year. The focus was primarily on experimental and educational short films.
- Production Estimate: About 1 to 5 animes per year.
- 1960s:
- Beginning of TV Series: The 60s marked the beginning of anime TV series production, with iconic titles such as Astro Boy (1963), which helped establish the serialized format.
- Production Estimate: About 10 to 20 animes per year.
- 1970s:
- Expansion of the Genre and Growing Popularity: With the growing popularity, the production of anime began to diversify into genres such as mecha and adventure.
- Production Estimate: About 20 to 50 animes per year.
- 1980s:
- Golden Age and OVAs: The 80s are often referred to as the "Golden Age" of anime, with the emergence of OVAs and a significant increase in production, both in quantity and quality.
- Production Estimate: About 50 to 100 animes per year.
- 1990s:
- Global Popularization and Diversification: The 90s saw anime become a global phenomenon, with iconic series like Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon.
- Production Estimate: About 100 to 150 animes per year.
- 2000s:
- Digital Expansion and Streaming: The internet and streaming platforms began to play an important role in the distribution of animes, further increasing production.
- Production Estimate: About 150 to 250 animes per year.
- 2010s to 2024:
- Modern Era of Anime: Anime production reached new heights, with hundreds of new titles being released each year, driven by streaming platforms such as Crunchyroll, Netflix, and others.
- Production Estimate: About 200 to 300 animes per year.
Distribution of Anime by Genre
Separating the total number of anime by genre is a complicated task, since many anime fall into different genres. Let's consider the approximate percentages of each genre in relation to the total number of anime:
- Action and Adventure:
- Percentage: Approximately 25% of the total animes fit into this genre.
- Estimate: About 4,500 titles.
- Fantasy and Supernatural:
- Percentage: About 20% of the anime belong to these genres.
- Estimate: About 3,600 titles.
- Romance and Comedy:
- Percentage: These combined genres represent about 15% of the total.
- Estimate: About 2,700 titles.
- Slice of Life:
- Percentage: About 10% of anime is focused on this genre.
- Estimate: About 1,800 titles.
- Horror and Mystery:
- Percentage: Horror and mystery animes make up about 5% of the total.
- Estimate: About 900 titles.
- Mecha:
- Percentage: Approximately 7% of the anime belong to the mecha genre.
- Estimate: About 1,260 titles.
- Sci-Fi (Science Fiction):
- Percentage: About 8% of the animes fit into the sci-fi genre.
- Estimate: About 1,440 titles.
- Other Genres (Sports, Musical, Historical, etc.):
- Percentage: Approximately 10% of the total animes belong to a variety of other genres.
- Estimate: About 1,800 titles.
In addition to the general figures, it's interesting to note that many anime also belong to specific subgenres, such as isekai (parallel worlds), shounen (aimed at young men) and shoujo (aimed at young women).
Conclusion
So how many anime are there in the world? The answer isn't simple, but we can say that there are thousands, with new titles being added every year. The anime industry is constantly evolving, offering something for all tastes, whether you're a fan of explosive action or thrilling dramas. And with the growing global popularity of anime, we can expect these numbers to continue to grow over the coming years.
So if you're an anime enthusiast, you can be sure that there will always be something new to watch. And if you're just beginning your journey into the world of anime, welcome to a vast and fascinating universe where the possibilities are practically endless.
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