Lights, camera, anime! Netflix has opened the curtains on their engagement report for the first half of 2023, and it's time to dive into the world of animated awesomeness. With a twist of transparency, Netflix has shared the number of hours viewers have spent basking in the glory of their anime collection. Hold onto your seats, folks, because the numbers are in, and they'll make any otaku's heart skip a beat.
While anime may not have claimed the top spot, it certainly left an indelible mark on Netflix's programming for the first half of the year. In fact, several anime titles managed to secure a prominent position in the rankings. The most eye-popping achievement was an anime claiming the 104th spot in overall viewership, with a staggering 95.8 million hours viewed. Talk about reaching for the stars!
This groundbreaking achievement speaks volumes about the steadily rising popularity of anime. Gone are the days when it was confined to a niche audience. No, my friends, anime has taken center stage, and Netflix is giving it a standing ovation. The surge in viewership is a testament to the fact that more and more people are jumping on the anime bandwagon, joining a vibrant community that spans borders and cultures.
Curious to know which anime shows captivated the hearts and screens of viewers? Here are the top ten anime that reigned supreme in the first half of 2023, based on the number of hours consumed:
1. Hajime no Ippo season 1 - 80.3 million hours 2. Record of Ragnarok season 2 - 78.2 million hours 3. One Piece: East Blue - 57.8 million hours 4. Vinland Saga season 2 - 55.1 million hours 5. Boys Over Flowers: Volume 1 - 45.3 million hours 6. Pokémon The Series: Indigo League: Season 1 - 42.7 million hours 7. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba season 3 - 40.5 million hours 8. Pokémon Journeys: The Series: Season 1 - 40.3 million hours 9. Record of Ragnarok: season 1 - 35.5 million hours
Unsurprisingly, some well-known heavyweights occupy these top spots. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and One Piece, two giants in the shonen realm, claimed their rightful positions. Meanwhile, Vinland Saga season 2, a season cherished by many as one of the finest anime of the year, stood tall among the contenders. And let's not forget about the breathtaking duels in Record of Ragnarok that had viewers glued to their screens.
Now, hold up! Before you scoff at these rankings, let's take a moment to recognize an interesting fact. The aforementioned anime series have yet to bless every corner of the world with their presence. Yet, they still managed to capture the hearts of viewers around the globe. When we consider anime that has a worldwide release, it's enlightening to see that Vinland Saga season 1 would secure the sixth spot with 49.3 million hours viewed. However, the next contender, The Seven Deadly Sins: Dragon's Judgment, wouldn't even make it into the top 20 with only 22 million hours. It seems that certain anime titles possess a gravitational pull that transcends geographical boundaries.
Looking ahead, we can't help but wonder what the second half of 2023 holds for anime on Netflix. With the likes of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and One Piece continuing strong, their fervent fan bases eagerly await their appearances on the engagement report once again. And let's not forget the potential powerhouses like Pluto and Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, poised to make their mark.
Until Netflix unveils their second-half engagement report in June 2024, we can only speculate. But one thing's for certain – anime is thriving, shining brightly in the realm of streaming content. So, grab that bowl of instant ramen, cozy up in your anime-themed blanket, and get ready for a wild ride through the captivating worlds of anime on Netflix. It's a one-way ticket to sheer entertainment bliss!
Source: Netflix's Engagement Report - First Half of 2023.
