As such, it’s understandable that streaming platforms, always eager to find the next big hit, have dramatically expanded their anime catalogs in recent years. Decades have passed since the first anime series achieved success in the West, with titles such as Akira, Dragon Ball, and Ranma ½. Market research firm Parrot Analytics recently estimated that the average demand for streaming anime in the U.S. grew by 176% between 2019 and 2024. A quick glance at streaming platforms reveals the significant role anime has come to play in their programming. Certain dedicated platforms cater exclusively to audiovisual subgenres with devoted fan bases, such as horror and anime.