Japanese streaming platforms U-NEXT and dAnime Store have released their most-watched anime rankings for 2024, highlighting fierce competition in Japan’s digital entertainment market. U-NEXT reported “The Apothecary Diaries” topped its free-to-watch category, while “SPY×FAMILY CODE: White” led rental titles. The streaming service also saw strong performance from international content, with “The Walking Dead” spin-offs dominating foreign drama rankings.
Meanwhile, dAnime Store’s autumn survey of over 2,300 viewers crowned “Dandadan” as the season’s top comedy and most emotionally moving series. “Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, Season 3” captured audiences in the action category, particularly among male viewers.
The rankings reflect broader trends in Japanese streaming, where platforms increasingly compete through exclusive content and licensing deals. Traditional manga adaptations continue to perform well, with titles like “Kingdom” and “Jujutsu Kaisen” maintaining strong positions across multiple categories.
Beyond anime, U-NEXT’s data shows growing demand for Korean content, with fan-culture drama “Run for Tomorrow” leading Asian programming. The platform’s manga section similarly demonstrated the enduring popularity of action series, with “Kingdom” securing the top spot.
