Apple TV anime distribution and licensing strategy: limited public anime strategy
Apple's streaming business has stepped back from animation investment, and there is no public evidence of a systematic anime acquisition strategy for Apple TV+.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Apple TV+ does not have a public dedicated anime distribution or licensing strategy. A 2025 Hollywood Reporter analysis found that Apple TV+ sharply reduced animation orders after 2023, cutting greenlights from 15 animated series per year to six in 2024 and canceling multiple animated shows. The Apple TV app and iTunes Store do offer select anime films for digital purchase or rental, including Studio Ghibli titles that became available in December 2019. Apple TV+ itself has not announced anime originals or exclusive anime licensing deals.
Apple TV+ and anime
Apple TV+ is Apple's subscription streaming service. Public evidence does not show it pursuing anime as a strategic content category. The service has not announced anime originals or exclusive anime licensing agreements comparable to Netflix, Crunchyroll, or Disney+.
In 2025, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Apple TV+ had significantly reduced its animation investment. After ordering 15 animated series in both 2022 and 2023, the streamer ordered only six in 2024, a 60 percent drop, and canceled shows including Central Park, The Snoopy Show, and Harriet the Spy.
Anime on the Apple TV app and iTunes Store
While Apple TV+ does not have a notable anime strategy, the Apple TV app and iTunes Store function as transactional video platforms where users can buy or rent digital films. In December 2019, Studio Ghibli films became available for digital purchase in the iTunes Store and through the Apple TV app.
The initial digital catalog included 14 films directed, produced, or written by Hayao Miyazaki, such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Howl's Moving Castle. Individual titles were priced at $19.99, with a six-film collection offered at $99.99.
Anime distribution across Apple video services.| Apple service | Anime relevance | Public evidence |
|---|
| Apple TV+ | No dedicated anime strategy | No anime originals or exclusive anime licensing announced |
| Apple TV app / iTunes Store | Transactional anime film sales | Studio Ghibli films available for purchase from December 2019 |
Catalog versus exclusive distinction
The anime available through the Apple TV app is transactional catalog content, not exclusive subscription streaming. Studio Ghibli films have been licensed to multiple platforms and digital storefronts over time.
Apple TV+ does not offer exclusive simulcast rights, output deals, or anime original productions based on public disclosures. Its role in anime is therefore limited to retail distribution through iTunes and the Apple TV app.
Why Apple TV+ does not compete for anime
Apple TV+ has concentrated its spending on live-action prestige series, films, and documentaries. Its animation pullback suggests the service is not prioritizing animated programming broadly, which includes Japanese anime.
Anime licensing is also competitive and fragmented, with Crunchyroll, Netflix, and regional specialists already holding long-term relationships with Japanese production committees. Apple has not indicated it intends to enter that market.
How Apple fits in the anime market
Apple's role in anime is primarily as a device and retail platform. iPhone, iPad, Apple TV hardware, and the Apple TV app can access anime from third-party services such as Crunchyroll and Netflix.
For viewers wanting to buy or rent specific anime films, the iTunes Store and Apple TV app offer a limited selection. For subscribers seeking a dedicated anime service, Apple TV+ is not a relevant option based on current public evidence.
Scope note: This article covers publicly announced strategy and content. Apple may hold unannounced anime projects or licenses, but no such deals have been reported by Apple or verified trade publications as of this writing.
Frequently asked questions
Does Apple TV+ have anime?
Apple TV+ has not announced any anime originals or exclusive anime licensing deals based on public disclosures.
Can I watch anime on Apple TV?
Yes, through third-party apps such as Crunchyroll and Netflix, and through the iTunes Store or Apple TV app for digital purchase or rental of select anime films.
Are Studio Ghibli films on Apple TV?
Studio Ghibli films became available for digital purchase through the iTunes Store and Apple TV app in December 2019.
Is Apple investing in anime animation?
No public evidence suggests Apple TV+ is investing in anime. In fact, a 2025 report found Apple TV+ had cut animation orders significantly after 2023.