After a similar scare this past May, in which U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on all films produced outside the country, it seemsanimefans are bracing for the worst yet again. On June 7th, the Trump administration announced that they will implement a 25% tariff on all imports from Japan and South Korea beginning on August 1st.
The announcement puts a damper on what is shaping up to be one of anime’s most exciting seasons in some time, and with even more high-profile titles scheduled to land later in the year, 2025 appears set to become a great time for anime fans. Unfortunately,those in the U.S. might have to spend a bit more to show off their fandom.
New U.S. Tariff Is Set to Make Anime an Expensive Hobby
Fans Can Expect Price Increases On Any and All Goods Imported From Japan
It’s far from the first time the Trump Administration has threatened tariffs on imports from Japan and other foreign countries, and this latest announcement likely will not be the last. Higher tariffs were originally expected to take effect on July 9th, but that date has now been pushed back to August 1st, according to the letters addressed to foreign leaders and posted on Truth Social.
For anime fans, that means any product made in Japan, including collectible figures, DVD and Blu-ray sets, clothing, and other merchandisewill all become quite a bit more expensive to buy and own, as sellers will be forced to raise their prices to account for the tariff.
Whether it will affect streaming in any way is currently unknown, with digital goods existing in a sort of gray area. If they do qualify as imported goods, then fans can expect an increase in the cost of watching their favorite shows or films, which would be quite problematic considering what’s expected to be released in the coming months.
Tariffs Set to Come Into Effect With Big Anime Releases Ahead
Exciting New Shows and Movies Will Be Arriving Just In Time for Price Increases
If the Trump Administration’s new tariff on imported goods does come into effect on the August 1st deadline, there will be some major anime releases that may suffer. Most notably isthe upcomingDemon Slayerfilm, which will arrive in U.S. theaters on June 20, 2025, with the first part of itsInfinity Castletrilogy.
Directly following will beChainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arcon October 29th, which will markthe franchise’s first theatrical release. Even if ticket prices are unaffected by the new tariff, the prices of merchandise will be, which will have a negative effect on profits and, later on, the production of any future major entries into either series.
It’s both a good and bad time to be an anime fan in the United States, with high-quality content on the way that might become a bit pricier to enjoy. President Trump’s letters to other leaders leave enough time for negotiation between parties, but as of this moment,things aren’t looking good for anime fans.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Cast
Set in Japan’s Taisho Period, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows Tanjiro, a young boy whose family is killed by demons. With his sister Nezuko transformed into a demon, Tanjiro embarks on a quest to become a demon slayer, seeking vengeance and a cure for his sister’s condition.
