The sun setting behind the Disney castle logo
At the time, the world was locked on Titanic and the Hale-Bopp Comet as it soared over Earth, not knowing what was on the horizon. In the coming years, the Hollywood elite would boom as major blockbusters and superhero movies raked in box office success.
However, those days are now dwindling. Hollywood giants like Disney are at a crossroads as Gen Z, the babies of 1997, are leading in all things entertainment. And if Hollywood wants an escape route, its savior is staring them in the face:Back in the late '90s, nobody would have dared guess anime's meteoric rise. The industry is a long-lived one, dating back decades thanks to hits such as Akira and Astro Boy. It was the '90s that ushered in anime's first steps of globalization, and now the industry is charging ahead. With upcoming movies like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle breaking U.S. box office records once set by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the proof is impossible to deny. Gen Z is the key to Hollywood's new era, and what this generation wants is anime. Over 50% of Gen Z Watch Anime Globally These Days As Variety noted in a scathing new report, Hollywood is feeling a squeeze. Sources in Hollywood are buzzing as the leadership at Disney are desperate to win over Gen Z audiences, specifically men who are between the ages of 13 to 28. The audience has been ever-elusive in Hollywood in the wake of COVID-19 as the global pandemic fundamentally shifted the way people consumed movies and television. Theaters have been grappling with the impact since 2020, and amid weakening box office returns, major Hollywood studios like Disney are panicking. Gen Z is aging into its key consumer demographic, one that has money to spend, and what are they all watching?In early 2025, Crunchyroll put anime on the map after the results of a global poll by National Research Group were shared. The study, which surveyed nearly 30,000 fans across seven key entertainment markets, were asked about their habits. It turns out a lot of people are watching anime, but Gen Z is putting every other demographic to shame. "Anime now stands shoulder to shoulder with the biggest icons in music and sports among Gen Z. Globally, 54% of Gen Z make their love for anime known, putting it ahead of Kendrick Lamar , nearly on par with Beyoncé , and just behind LeBron James and Taylor Swift ," Crunchyroll confirmed, spreading the gospel of anime with the numbers to back its claim. Over half of the study's Gen Z participants said they watch anime regularly. Millennials, another key market demographic, showed force with a 42% share. The pandemic ushered in an anime boom unlike anything the industry has seen before, and Disney needs to hop on board before it's too late. Disney Risks Ruin If It Doesn't Embrace Gen Z's Anime Fandom With Disney scrambling behind-the-scenes for Gen Z approval, brands like Sony Pictures Entertainment are living large. The corporation not only operates Crunchyroll, the go-to home for anime streaming in the United States, but it operates one of the industry's top production companies with Aniplex. Earlier this year, Crunchyroll announced its work with Sony Pictures is expanding into original works, starting with series such as Ghost of Tsushima: Legends. Sony has the synergy to pivot to anime, but the question remains whether Disney can.It may surprise you to learn that Disney has already begun toeing into the market. The corporation is no stranger to anime, but following a deal-gone-wrong with Studio Ghibli in 1996, Disney put the industry out of mind. These days, Disney is now pivoting back into anime. It is rare to see Disney arrive so late to a trend like anime, especially given its animation roots, so the brand has a lot of time to make up. Given its recent partnership with Aniplex on Twisted Wonderland, an anime based on a hit mobile game, Disney is willing to invest in anime. From exclusive Disney+ licenses to anime anthologies like Star Wars Visions, there is no denying Disney is aware of the promise the medium holds even if its approach leaves much to desire. But as superhero fatigue continues to strangle the box office and Gen Z comes to power, Disney's window to adopt anime is dwindling by the day.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
''Smallville' Reboot Gets a Devastating Update That Spells Doomsday for FansJustin Klawans is a freelance News Writer at Collider who focuses on film and television news, casting, sci-fi, and when possible, &039;Star Wars.&039;
Read more »
Marvel's 'X-Men' Reboot Gets Its Most Extraordinary Casting Update YetChris McPherson is a Senior Author in News for Collider who focuses on Yellowstone, Bosch, Reacher, box office, blockbuster movies and WWE.
Read more »
'Gen V's Season 2 Trailer Hints at Marie's Devastating New AbilitiesAntony Starr as John Homelander in his supersuit with arms open and a wide smile in The Boys.br /
Read more »
William Shatner's 'T.J. Hooker' Is Getting the Reboot TreatmentRob London is a writer at Collider who focuses on horror, science fiction, and obscure and classic movies. He has written for Marvel Comics.
Read more »
Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch' Live-Action Remake Finally Sets a Streaming DateChris McPherson is a Senior Author in News for Collider who focuses on Yellowstone, Bosch, Reacher, box office, blockbuster movies and WWE.
Read more »
Henry Cavill's 'Highlander' Reboot Casts Dave Bautista as Its VillainA poster showing the Guardians of the Galaxy--Groot, Nebula, Drax, Gamora, Rocket, Star-Lord, Mantis, and Karglin--lined up
Read more »