Fuji Media Holdings reported anime development revenue rose 28.2% to ¥3.26 billion ($21.1 million) in the fiscal first half ended September, according to the company’s earnings announcement. The second quarter alone saw anime income reach ¥1.60 billion ($10.4 million), up 8.5% from a year earlier.
The broadcaster attributed the gains to overseas streaming distribution rights for titles including “Call of the Night Season 2,” which aired from July through September on Fuji TV’s late-night programming block. Revenue from merchandise and licensing tied to established anime properties also contributed to growth.
Fuji Media has positioned anime expansion as a key element of its restructuring strategy following a sexual harassment scandal earlier this year that prompted leadership changes and advertiser boycotts. New president Kenji Shimizu, appointed in January after serving in the anime division, faces the challenge of restoring revenue while rebuilding the network’s reputation.
The company’s anime business represents a fraction of its broader media operations, which include television broadcasting, real estate development and tourism ventures. International content licensing provides relatively stable revenue compared to domestic advertising, which remains under pressure from the fallout of corporate governance issues that surfaced in 2024.
