Anime is no longer a “niche” category—it’s a cornerstone of the global streaming giant. In its latest “What We Watched” engagement reports for 2025, Netflix revealed that anime accounted for over 4% of all viewing hours on the platform, totaling a staggering 3.84 billion hours in the second half of the year alone.
While legacy hits continue to dominate, new breakout stars and a massive new partnership with Studio MAPPA are redefining Netflix’s strategy for 2026.
The Heavy Hitters: Naruto vs. The Newcomers
Despite ending over a decade ago, Naruto remains the undisputed king of the platform. In the first half of 2025, the franchise (including Shippuden and Boruto) racked up over 51 million views.
However, the “new gen” is catching up fast. DanDaDan became the breakout success story of the year. Following its premiere, Season 2 alone generated 17.2 million views, proving that Netflix’s “simulcast” strategy is working.
The Top 10 Anime on Netflix (H2 2025)
| Rank | Anime Title | Views (Millions) | Hours Watched |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DAN DA DAN: Season 2 | 17.2M | 85.5M |
| 2 | Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc | 14.4M | 57.3M |
| 3 | My Melody & Kuromi: Season 1 | 12.9M | 35.6M |
| 4 | SAKAMOTO DAYS: Season 1 | 12.1M | 105.7M |
| 5 | Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc | 11.4M | 55.9M |
| 6 | The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity | 11.1M | 82.4M |
| 7 | Demon Slayer: Unwavering Resolve Arc | 11.1M | 113.8M |
| 8 | Record of Ragnarok: Season 3 | 10.7M | 67.6M |
| 9 | DAN DA DAN: Season 1 | 6.7M | 33.1M |
| 10 | Tougen Anki: Season 1 | 6.3M | 61.3M |
The Sakamoto Days Expansion
The success of Sakamoto Days (24.4 million views in early 2025) has triggered a massive multimedia push. Fans can look forward to a live-action film adaptation arriving in April 2026. Starring Ren Meguro as the legendary retired hitman Taro Sakamoto, the film is being directed by Yuichi Fukuda (Gintama).
Strategic Moves: The MAPPA Partnership
Looking ahead, Netflix has consolidated its future in the industry through a landmark partnership with Studio MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man). Announced in January 2026, this deal moves beyond simple licensing; Netflix and MAPPA will now co-develop original titles from the ground up, ensuring that the next generation of “must-watch” anime stays exclusive to the platform.
