In 2024, the anime market grew to a record 362.142 billion yen, yet anime studios still struggle to be profitable. Between January and September of 2025, two anime studios filed for bankruptcy and six more shut down.
So far, 2021 was one of the least profitable years on record: 39.8% of anime production companies reported losses. Among subcontract studios, the number was 42.6%.
Problems cited include rising production costs, the depreciation of the yen, management problems, and intense scrutiny on social media.
Source: Japan Anime News and Teikoku Databank