Netflix Enters the Anime Groove with Studio Colorido
Netflix announced on Tuesday a multi‑film partnership with Japan’s hit studio Colorido, believing anime can fuel growth far beyond the usual U.S. draw. The streaming titan is teaming up on three feature‑length projects, including the upcoming Drifting Home, slated to hit cinemas in Japan and launch on its platform in September.
Why Anime Matters to Netflix
Anime is no niche anymore. In Japan, virtually 90% of Netflix subscribers binge it; worldwide, half the users tuned in last year. Competing services like Amazon and Disney are scrambling to match the boom.
“To win the world, we have to win first here,” said Kaata Sakamoto, VP of content for Japan. Covid‑related subscriber losses stalled Netflix’s global headcount for the first time in 10 years, but the planet’s biggest streaming service still spotted a bright spot in the Asia‑Pacific region – especially Japan, where the user base hit 5 million as of September 2020.
What Colorido Brings to the Table
- Family‑friendly epics that tug at all ages – think Penguin Highway, where a schoolboy stumps over sudden penguins in his town.
- Stories that jolt characters out of their routine world into fantastical twists.
- Content that appeals beyond hardcore anime fans, widening Netflix’s taste‑testing reach.
Studio president Koji Yamamoto noted how Colorido’s family‑friendly style dovetails with Netflix’s strategy to diversify. It’s not just about quantity but also genre mix.
Netflix’s Japan Playbook
Beyond anime, the platform is rolling out roughly 40 original titles, ranging from scripted dramas like First Love to unscripted series such as Last One Standing. And that’s not all – Netflix is opening doors with local broadcasters, releasing long‑running Japanese variety shows. A current hit is Old Enough!, where tiny kids run errands on camera while crews stay incognito, streaming to viral delight.
With a broad, mature audience built for the platform, Netflix’s new pivot promises not just more viewers, but a richer, genre‑spiked experience for everyone.
