Anime disc sales data: 2025 Japan video software figures
Oricon rankings get the headlines, but the Japan Video Software Association's genre reports show the structural collapse of anime Blu-ray and DVD.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Japan's anime disc sales totaled ¥18.9 billion in 2025, according to the Japan Video Software Association's genre report for video software. That includes ¥13.7 billion for Japanese TV and OVA animation and ¥5.1 billion for theatrical Japanese animation. The combined anime disc category fell 31% from 2024, as the broader market shifts to streaming.
The latest anime disc sales numbers
The Japan Video Software Association's 2025 genre report puts total Japanese video software sales at ¥81.3 billion. Within that, Japanese animation accounted for ¥18.9 billion, or 23.2% of all video software sales by value.
The breakdown shows TV and OVA animation at ¥13.7 billion and theatrical animation at ¥5.1 billion. Disc volume followed the same pattern: Japanese anime titles shipped 3.36 million units, down 27.3% year on year.
Japan Video Software Association 2025 genre sales data, amounts in millions of yen.| Category | 2025 sales (¥ million) | Share of video software | Units sold |
|---|
| Japanese animation (TV/OVA) | 13,723 | 16.9% | 2.44 million |
| Theatrical Japanese animation | 5,134 | 6.3% | 0.93 million |
| Japanese anime total | 18,857 | 23.2% | 3.36 million |
| All video software | 81,281 | 100.0% | 17.48 million |
How this compares with historical peaks
Industry coverage based on JVA surveys notes that Japan's anime home video market in 2025 was less than one-fifth the size of its 2005 peak, before streaming and the DVD bubble collapse. Anime Blu-ray and DVD sales fell 34% year on year to ¥16.3 billion, while rentals rose 7.8% to ¥2.35 billion.
Unit sales dropped more than 36% to 2.3 million units, about half the number of discs sold in 2020. The average price per unit rose 35% over the last decade, suggesting that remaining buyers are purchasing premium editions with more episodes or bonus content.
Methodology note: The JVA figures are based on reporting from member video software distributors and retailers. They cover physical sales and rentals in Japan, not digital streaming revenue or overseas disc sales.
Why streaming is replacing discs
The same JVA-linked surveys show anime streaming revenue from member services rising 48% in 2025 and reaching 2.4 times the 2021 level. Streaming has overtaken physical media as the main paid video channel for anime in Japan.
The shift is most visible in children's anime, where the market for physical releases has nearly disappeared. Starting with the 2025 report, the JVA reorganized its animation categories by original medium rather than target age, acknowledging that age-based segmentation no longer reflects how anime reaches viewers.
What disc sales still measure
Even in decline, disc sales remain a useful gauge of collector demand for hit franchises. Oricon weekly rankings continue to show titles such as Haikyu!! and Demon Slayer topping Blu-ray charts in their release windows.
For licensors and production committees, disc revenue is one component of a broader home video and streaming window. A strong disc run can signal a dedicated fan base willing to pay for physical extras, but it is no longer a reliable proxy for overall anime popularity.
Frequently asked questions
How much did anime disc sales make in Japan in 2025?
Japanese anime disc sales totaled ¥18.9 billion in 2025, according to the Japan Video Software Association.
Are anime Blu-ray and DVD sales still declining?
Yes. The JVA-linked market survey reported a 31% decline in anime home video revenue for 2025, with unit sales down more than 36%.
Is streaming bigger than disc sales for anime in Japan?
Yes. Anime streaming revenue from JVA member services was 2.4 times the 2021 level in 2025, while disc sales continued to fall.