Sword Art Online director says anime could replace Hollywood

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The director of Sword Art Online thinks anime is on the verge of becoming as popular as, and maybe even surpassing, Hollywood movies worldwide.

Japanese animation, once a relatively unknown import, has become incredibly popular and now regularly competes with big Hollywood movies in theaters around the world.

Tomohiko Ito, director of Sword Art Online, recently explained to Automaton that changes in the film industry have helped anime movies gain more popularity worldwide.

SAO director believes anime could replace Hollywood

He noted that, considering the previous writers’ strike and a general decline in the impact of Hollywood films, anime has stepped in as a popular alternative.

As a fan, I found it really interesting to hear Ito talk about this. He warned that Japanese creators shouldn’t try too hard to make things for international audiences. He’s seen it happen a lot where they focus so much on ‘global appeal’ that their work actually doesn’t connect with people overseas. It seems like what they think will work internationally often doesn’t quite hit the mark with viewers outside of Japan.

Ito’s comments come as Japan’s entertainment industry is undergoing changes. The Japanese government recently announced a plan to grow the country’s entertainment market internationally, aiming for a value of 20 trillion yen (approximately $130 billion USD) by 2033.

This plan offers significant support for anime studios, game developers, and creators who want to expand their reach internationally.

Last year was a big one for anime films in the US. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc earned around $17.3 million during its opening weekend from over 3,000 theaters. But Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle really stood out, becoming the highest-grossing anime movie ever released in the country.

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2026-01-07 18:48