Netflix pitches Anime to mainstream viewers to battle Disney Plus, Apple TV; Amazon Prime keeps it niche

The new anime releases for Fall 2019 have spoiled fans for choices.

Not only popular franchises like Nanatsu No Taisai, Sword Art Online, Shokugeki No Souma and Psycho-Pass have returned with their latest seasons, stand-alones like No Guns Life, Babylon, Pet and Mugen No Juunin: Immortal have collectively raised the bar for both animation and fresh storytelling.

Netflix Bets on Anime For All

A line up like this used to be frustrating for the law-abiding international anime fans, as the licensed version would take months and even years to come out. But now, many of the latest shows from Fall 2019 season are streaming online, with Netflix commanding the biggest library.

Netflix is pushing Japanese animation as a mainstream choice for its international viewers, to give itself a USP over Disney Plus and Apple TV.

While its existing anime library gives it a clear advantage over Disney Plus, Apple TV’s partnership with the OG anime streaming platform Crunchyroll could upset Netflix’s edge. Therefore, Netflix has pumped in investments to acquire rights to some of the most popular anime franchises lately.

On the other hand, Disney has plans to produce anime versions of its money-making franchises.  Animated features, especially Japanese animation, is thus emerging as a trump card in the video streaming market.

Amazon Prime and it’s Old School Appeal

As these three video streaming heavy-weighs fight it out to be the ultimate anime streaming destination, Amazon Prime, with its relatively small anime library, has sneaked a surprise on anime fans by returning to old school Japanese animation with glory Osamu Tezuka’s Dororo.

Released in January 2019, this remake is one of the best series of 2019, receiving both the audience’s love and critical acclaim.

The historical fiction series Vinland Saga which aimed at the adventure enthusiasts is also worth a mention. But, Amazon Prime’s Fall 2019 anime line up truly shows its intent to keep it ‘quality over quantity’.

Remaking Blade of The Immortal (Mugen no Juunin) –  the classic tale of an immortal samurai – as its first original animation, is a bold attempt that could go horribly wrong. The 2008 anime has a cult following so the comparison is inevitable.

Thankfully, studio Production IG doesn’t disappoint at all. From the refreshing narrative style to artfully done animation, to using actual images from the manga to accentuate the gory scenes, this thrilling tale of murder and revenge is a must-watch this fall.

Amazon Prime’s Fall Anime Library is Curated for Mature Audience

Amazon Prime’s fall surprise didn’t end with that. Added to its catalog is the much anticipated Psycho-Pass 3, the sci-fi thriller that loves picking at the audiences’ conscience.

Netflix has clearly lost its digital rights to the series; even the last two seasons have been dropped from its library much to fans’ dismay.

Given its choice of animes to stream, Amazon Prime is aiming to target adult anime lovers with picky taste, who care for detail in animation, depth of storytelling, and don’t shy away from some gore, nudity.

Its move to animate old traditional Japanese classics was a smart move, to contrast Netflix’s push for west-friendly content. Will Amazon Prime stick to building a niche anime library for a select audience or pose a threat to Netflix’s anime audience? Let’s wait and see.

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