Netflix, symbolized by NFLX, has taken a bold step by launching the animated masterpiece Suzume created by the renowned filmmaker Makoto Shinkai, across 169 countries starting from April 6. With plans for further expansion in 2025, this move marks a significant milestone in the streaming giant’s mission to broaden its anime collection.
Japan witnessed the exclusive release of this animated wonder on Netflix on April 5, 2024. The addition of Suzume falls in line with Netflix’s strategic initiative to enrich its anime repertoire, which already boasts creations from industry giants like Studio Ghibli and Studio Ponoc, catering to a wider global audience hungry for high-quality animated content.
The storyline of Suzume follows the gripping tale of Suzume Iwato, a 17-year-old high school prodigy, as she embarks on a contemporary adventure, joining forces with the enigmatic Souta Munakata to seal “doors” and avert impending disasters that loom over Japan.
Zooming into the financial realm, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) Netflix has triumphed in the market by securing a commendable 30.7% year-to-date return, towering over the Consumer Discretionary sector’s modest 1.4% growth. This commendable feat can be largely attributed to the roaring success of its latest Japanese content releases.
Netflix’s Competitive Stance in Japan’s Streaming Landscape
Netflix finds itself navigating through the bustling waters of Japan’s video-on-demand terrain, with competition heating up in recent years. Key players in this domain include industry stalwarts such as Amazon Prime Video, U-Next, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
According to a report from GEM, Japan’s subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) industry experienced a lucrative surge in 2023, catapulting the market value to 505.4 billion yen, marking a substantial 12.1% uptick from the previous year. This uptrend, fuelled by the amplified home entertainment demand triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a consistent theme since 2020.
In a strategic move, Amazon has acquired the Japanese survival thriller series, Acma: Game, for global streaming. Making its debut on Prime Video Japan on April 7, 2024, the series stands as a testament to Amazon’s global content expansion aspirations. The streaming giant also has plans for the release of the second season of The Silent Service Season One – The Battle of Tokyo Bay and a live-action adaptation of OSHI NO KO on a global scale later in winter 2024.
