The Numbers Gen Z adults fueled massive search volumes for anime, adult animation, and animated films with cult-like followings. This trend is reshaping what platforms produce and how marketers reach younger audiences. The animation renaissance is not limited to traditional anime—it includes adult animated comedies, anime-inspired Western productions, and animated films that appeal to adult sensibilities. Platforms that have invested heavily in animation, such as Crunchyroll, are seeing the payoff. Crunchyroll’s expansion into Taiwan and South Korea underscores how anime fandom is increasingly viewed as an economic engine rather than a marketing outcome .
The Global Context The animation trend is part of a broader shift in how Gen Z consumes content. According to APOS 2026 takeaways, entertainment IP has become the new currency, and animation represents one of the most valuable categories of IP . Whether it was Netflix flagging a dormant fandom waking up around Japanese live-action and Chinese-language content, or MD Entertainment pursuing global co-productions, one theme appeared repeatedly: owning IP matters more than ever. The focus has shifted toward creating franchises capable of traveling across platforms, markets and formats .
What This Means for Marketers If Gen Z is an audience priority, animation is essential. Brands targeting younger adults should consider placements near animated content and fan-driven franchises. The fandom surrounding animation is not passive—it is engaged, vocal, and commercially valuable. As one industry leader noted, “I always consider myself and my team as portfolio managers,” pointing to successful investments in animation across Korea, Japan and India . For brands looking to connect with younger audiences, animation represents a gateway to deeper engagement.
