These days,animeis everywhere you look. From the front page of streaming services to your Happy Meal at McDonald’s, it feels like the industry is gaining notoriety in ways we’ve not seen before. In the past decade, anime has seen itself dive deep into the pop culture zeitgeist as series likeMy Hero AcademiaandJujutsu Kaisenhave broken barriers and created new fans. But for John Ledford, the President of HIDIVE and founder of Sentai Filmworks, the medium’s comeuppance has been a long time coming.
“Anime is no longer a niche,“Ledford told ScreenRant in a recent interview, speaking about his recent experience at AnimeJapan 2025, where he brought the streaming service HIDIVE in full force. “It’s a global cultural force.”
“What we’re witnessing now is the culmination of decades of passion, artistry, and relentless innovation— with the international market for anime now surpassing Japan domestically. The momentum post-Anime Japan confirms that the world isn’t just watching anime ~ they’re celebrating it, analyzing it, cosplaying it, and building communities around it. We’ve entered a new golden era where anime is not just consumed; it’s shaping the global entertainment landscape,” he continued.
HIDIVE Is The Next Step Of Anime’s Evolution Outside Japan
John Ledford’s Long History With Anime Gives Him a Unique Perspective
Given Ledford’s long tenure with the anime industry, few people are better qualified to analyze the industry’s growth in the Western world. In 1990, Ledford began exploring pop culture as a profession by way of video games, and it quickly segued into Japanese entertainment. Ledford’s company, Gametronix, became a major importer of Japanese video games, and in 1992, Ledford made his first jump into anime with A.D. Vision.
From Anime Network to Sentai Filmworks and now HIDIVE, Ledford has followed the anime industry’s evolution like few others have. In January 2022, the streaming services' growth caught the interest of AMC Networks, and HIDIVE has since become aflagship home for shows such asOshi no KoandThe Eminence in Shadow. For Ledford, his time with anime has taught him to swing for the fences, an ambitious philosophy reflected in HIDIVE’s eclectic catalog.
“HIDIVE was built to be a curator of anime culture. Where other platforms cast wide nets, we go deep to super-serve anime fans,” Ledford explained. “We take bold risks on titles like [Oshi no Ko] andwe don’t shy away from series that challenge, provoke, or innovate.HIDIVE’s vision is rooted in honoring the medium’s artistic integrity while embracing the fandom’s evolving expectations. That authenticity, paired with razor-sharp curation, is what sets us apart.”
Anime’s Growth Is A Long Time Coming, Not An Overnight Success
Social Media And The Internet Have Transformed The Anime Industry
Ledford’s fandom-forward comments should strike a chord with netizens, of course. Few mediums thrive on social media like anime. Platforms like TikTok are saturated with anime-centric influencers, and social media helped globalize the industry’s once-niche audience. In the earliest days of the Internet, anime found a home on online forums as fans shipped homemade VHS tapes across the country to others, bringing notoriety to titles such asGhost in the Shell.As the Internet grew, so too did anime’s footprint on social media. Nowadays,the medium is popular with all generations from Millennials to Generation Alpha, and Ledford believes the industry still has a long way to go.
“Anime resonates because it speaks to universal emotions.”
“Anime resonates because it speaks to universal emotions: identity, struggle, resilience, hope ~ all told through visionary artistry. Over the past decade, as barriers to access fell and localization quality soared, audiences worldwide realized anime isn’t just ‘animated content’….it’s a storytelling powerhouse,” the executive shared.
“What started as a subculture has become a mainstay in the global zeitgeist, and I think we’re still only scratching the surface of its potential.”
Sadly, Not All Growth Is Good Growth
Anime Is Facing A Number Of Operational Challenges Nowadays
Of course, not all growth can be good. Anime’s cultural rise is a long time coming, but its rapid adoption since COVID-19 has been immense. Sites like HIDIVE are not only facing competition from other streaming services that invest in anime, but the industry itself is undergoing a shift in Japan.From labor shortages to production delays and unfair pay, anime creators are now shining a light on the problems plaguing the industry. But when asked about these obstacles, Ledford believes the anime industry is innovative enough to overcome its current concerns.
“The anime industry is indeed at a pivotal juncture, with global demand surpassing domestic consumption. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of traditional distribution models. The resurgence of anime on terrestrial television in Japan, which has been highlighted in recent articles, underscores the genre’s enduring appeal and the strategic importance of broad accessibility. However, this resurgence brings to light challenges such as escalating production costs, extended production timelines, often spanning 2-3 years. These factorscomplicate the industry’s ability to swiftly adapt to the rapidly changing global market,” Ledford explained, laying out anime’s globalization challenges.
Continuing, the HIDIVE President explained how technology is helping remedy some of the industry’s problems. “To address these challenges, the industry must innovate in distribution strategies, perhaps by embracing more flexible production schedules and leveraging digital platforms to meet international demand without compromising quality. HIDIVE is part of that evolution, helping to bridge cultures and timelines. The shift is real, but the industry as a whole —studios and distributors together— is responding with innovation, not hesitation.”
The Future Of Anime May Be Uncertain, But It Is Bright
A New Generation Of Fans Will Inherit The Fandom Soon
In the wake of AnimeJapan 2025, the industry at large is approaching a stacked year of content. Hit series such asSolo Levelingcontinue to take up space on social media, and it is not alone in stirring hype. From the final season ofMy Hero AcademiatoChina’s push into anime withTo Be Hero X,the future of anime is brighter and broader than ever. Though uncertain, the industry’s global growth is striding forward with confidence.
After all, anime is no longer a niche interest, something to speak about solely in small spaces online. It is everywhere you look, from the grocery store to Hollywood blockbusters. And as the next generation is introduced to anime, Ledford is nothing but hopeful about what’s to come.
“Anime is where storytelling meets soul.It doesn’t water down complex themes or shy away from emotional depth. As global pop culture grows more sophisticated, audiences crave that kind of resonance—and anime delivers. We’re entering a time when anime will no longer be ‘alternative entertainment’ but a preferred storytelling format; it will be central to how the next generation experiences narrative, identity, and imagination,” he shared.
“That gives me immense hope.”
