Anime is no longer a niche genre, largely thanks to smash hits likeAttack On Titan, which helped make it mainstream. However, there are other anime that have been more commercially successful. Major sources of revenue for the anime industry come from merchandise sales, video games, Blu-ray/DVDs, ticket sales, and more.
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These animes are constantly pushing to get that extra edge to stay relevant on a global scale. Some of the newer ones on the scene have even managed to outshine the old classics that used to hold the top spots. Thus, here is a list of the highest-grossing anime of all time!
9JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
First released in 1987,JoJo’s Bizarre Adventurebecame an early contender in the race for highest-grossing. However, it wasn’t until the franchise’s third installment, Stardust Crusaders, featuring Jotaro, that the series really took off and became a fan favorite.
Jotaro is often considered an icon of theShonengenre and is an early example of a Tsundere character. In the four decades since its inception, JoJo has sold over 120 million copies of its Manga, cementing its place as one of the all-time bestsellers. While the franchise’s main revenue source comes from Manga sales, video games, and anime adaptations also chip in a bit to the bottom line.
8Sailor Moon
Anyone who grew up in the 80s or 90s will definitely remember the hype aroundShonen animeshows. Dragon Ball, Yu Yu Hakusho, Trigun, and a few other shows were all the topics of conversation among male fans. But then, along came Sailor Moon and its magical girls, giving the other half of the fan base something to get excited about too!
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The anime was groundbreaking as it challenged gender roles by featuring independent and strong female heroes. Since its debut, Sailor Moon has had a major impact on pop culture, inspiring fashion trends with its iconic magical costumes. And even today, fans still can’t get enough – Sailor Moon merchandise and collectibles are still flying off the shelves!
7One Piece
One Piece, one of the Big Three anime, still dominates the industry; It’s the most-watched TV show of 2022. Since its debut in ‘97, its Manga has sold over 500 million copies worldwide. And the latest movie installment, One Piece Film: Red, has already raked in an impressive $246 million at the box office, making it the fifth highest-grossing anime film ever.
Other films might surpass it, as Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume No Tojimari film recently did, kicking One Piece Red from 4th to 5th place. But it’ll always be remembered as a commercial success. The franchise’s primary sources of income come from merchandise, DVD sales (which occasionally top the charts in Japan), and anime licensing deals.
6Yu-Gi-Oh!
Yu-Gi-Oh!’s premise is essentially centered on trading cards. It was smart to leave the fans craving collectible card decks and buying their additional video games and other merchandise. Konami, the parent company, has seen some serious profit gains since launching Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel game.
And now, with all its spin-offs, movies, and TV shows, the franchise is worth around $20 billion! Fans from all corners of the world can’t get enough of the booster packs, structure decks, and other card products that Konami puts out.
Mobile Suit Gundam 1979 was one of the earliest mecha series that introduced a more gritty take on giant robots and presented a world where both sides of the conflict had valid ideologies instead of the familiargood vs. evilshtick.Gundam’s V-fin crest on the head has become so iconic that it has been homaged and referenced in various forms of media, including other anime, Manga, and video games.
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And even after all these years, the Gundam merch train is still chugging along at full speed, from model kits to action figures to clothing and accessories. There are multiple TV shows, films, and more, but just from retail sales alone, it has grossed over $20 billion.
4Dragon Ball
Dragon Ballis a name that even a non-anime fan is familiar with. Back in the 90s, Cartoon Network’s Toonami block made the Dragon Ball series super popular, introducing many viewers to anime and Manga for the first time.
What began with a straightforward storyline has now grown into an expansive franchise with multiple generations of fans. Thanks to Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo, who have revolutionized the superhero archetype in anime with theiramazing fighting scenes. Dragon Ball has become a household name. Plus, the franchise has made tons from merchandising and video games!
3Spirited Away
Spirited Away, needless to say, is the only anime to ever win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. It was even the highest-grossing anime for 19 years until Demon Slayer: Mugen Train came along and snatched the crown.
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This film, crafted through the masterful eyes ofHayao Miyazaki, offers a unique perspective on life, death, and spirits. There are some prettydeep lessons, themes, and social commentary woven into the story that might not hit you until a second watch.
2Demon Slayer
Demon Slayeris a relatively new anime with somewhat less revenue than most of the other ones on this list. But it’s only because the other franchises have been in the race early! Thus, it’s only fair to appreciate the anime’s immense success in the past few years. More importantly, Mugen Train is now the most successful anime film ever made.
Demon Slayer is spearheading a revolutionary new wave in anime production thanks to its use of state-of-the-art animation techniques. And with the way things are going, it’s likely to dominate in areas like retail and merchandise sales too.
The multimedia franchise worth $100 billion goes beyond being just an anime. Many people are not even aware that it is an anime, but they have still watched its TV show or played itsPokemonvideo games at some point. From stuffed plushies, paperweight Pikachus, and trading cards to other limited edition items, you can literally buy anything with the Pokemon tag.
With over 1000 Pokemon creatures, there is something for every fan to explore and discover in this fantasy world, whether it is in collectible items or video games. Furthermore, if you didn’t know, Pokemon is the third-largest video game franchise!
