Introduction
Anime’s popularity on Netflix has surged dramatically over recent years, marking a significant shift in global streaming trends. With Netflix’s growing involvement in anime licensing and original productions, the platform has become a major hub for anime fans worldwide. Analyzing Netflix’s engagement reports provides valuable insight into evolving viewership patterns and fandom dynamics across various anime titles.
Netflix’s Anime Growth and Investment
Netflix’s venture into anime began ambitiously over 11 years ago with titles like Knights of Sidonia, laying the foundation for its expansive anime library. Since then, the streaming giant has steadily branched out, acquiring popular series such as The Seven Deadly Sins, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Record of Ragnarok, and Sakamoto Days. This growth is backed by Netflix’s multi-billion dollar commitment to invest in anime content through 2025 and beyond, signaling a strong dedication to captivating the anime community.
Most Watched Anime Titles on Netflix
Demon Slayer’s Unstoppable Popularity
The Demon Slayer franchise continues to dominate Netflix’s anime viewership, with multiple arcs consistently ranking among the platform’s top performers. The Entertainment District Arc and Mugen Train Arc stand out as particularly popular, attracting millions of views and hours watched between January 2023 and June 2025. Several other Demon Slayer arcs also secure spots in the top ten, underscoring the series’ strong and enduring fanbase on Netflix.
Rising Stars and New Hits
In addition to Demon Slayer, new titles have made impressive strides. Dan Da Dan has seen strong performances and positive fan reception, while Sakamoto Days has emerged as the biggest anime release of 2025 to date. Other popular series like Jujutsu Kaisen and My Happy Marriage continue to attract robust viewership numbers, reflecting Netflix’s increasingly diverse and rich anime catalog.
One Piece: Egghead Island Arc’s Netflix Performance Challenges
The weekly release format Netflix employs for new One Piece episodes on the Egghead Island Arc has presented notable challenges. Compared to Crunchyroll’s simulcast model, Netflix faces difficulties maintaining consistent fan engagement due to a six-day delay in releasing new episodes. Fans and industry watchers alike recognize that reducing this gap could significantly boost the series’ Netflix viewership and enhance the viewing experience for the global One Piece fanbase.
The Biggest Anime Franchises on Netflix
Naruto as the Most-Watched Anime Franchise
Naruto remains the most-watched anime franchise on Netflix, boasting over 205 million total franchise views from January 2023 onward. Despite limitations in availability—particularly with only the first eight seasons accessible in many regions—the franchise’s extensive library includes popular Naruto movies, all contributing to its impressive numbers.
Other Leading Franchises
- Pokémon and One Piece rank second and third in overall franchise viewership.
- Legacy content combined with new project releases fuel their continued popularity.
- Demon Slayer holds a strong fourth place despite having fewer episodes available.
- The Seven Deadly Sins remain popular thanks to ongoing sequel series.
- Netflix originals like Baki and Castlevania maintain strong viewer interest.
- Both Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia succeed despite limited regional availability.
- Dragon Ball and Bleach face challenges given exclusivity and regional restrictions.
Netflix Original Anime: Record of Ragnarok vs. Sakamoto Days
Record of Ragnarok Season 2 stands out as the most successful Netflix Original anime by views, though Sakamoto Days is a close competitor, especially with upcoming new episodes and seasons poised to expand its audience. Other notable Netflix originals gaining traction include Devil May Cry, which has enjoyed a strong debut and renewal, and the enduring popularity of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
Detailed Viewership Statistics Tables (Summary)
The data covers:
- The most watched anime seasons on Netflix since 2023, measured by views and hours.
- Viewership comparison of One Piece Egghead Island Arc across 2024 and 2025.
- Top anime franchises ranked by total views from 2023 to 2025.
- Breakdown of Netflix Original anime viewership.
Conclusion
The current anime trends on Netflix highlight Demon Slayer’s unrelenting dominance and Naruto’s significant franchise legacy. The importance of strategic release schedules, especially highlighted by the challenges facing One Piece, cannot be overstated. As Netflix continues to invest heavily and expand its anime offerings, fans can look forward to an exciting slate of upcoming releases.
We invite all Keeperfact readers to share their favorite Netflix anime series in the comments below — stream, discuss, and celebrate the anime you love!
