The Japanese film industry faced challenges in 2021 due to COVID-19-related theater closures and restrictions. However:
2021 was a transitional year with PS5 shortages, but Switch dominated.
2021 saw the rise of the "Media Mix" strategy and VTuber music, alongside a shift toward streaming-first hits. japan xxx hd 2021
2021 saw the closure of iconic Sega arcades in Akihabara (specifically Sega Building 2 and 3), which became a global news event. While arcades are not dead in Japan, 2021 marked a permanent consolidation—surviving arcades pivoted to e-sports arenas and redemption games (UFO catchers) rather than competitive fighting game cabinets.
Anime was the undisputed king of the box office, leading the charts and providing the industry's primary engine for growth. The Japanese film industry faced challenges in 2021
Major releases like Resident Evil Village (Capcom) and Monster Hunter Rise captured global critical acclaim and massive sales numbers. Meanwhile, mobile gaming mainstays like Uma Musume Pretty Derby became cultural and financial juggernauts within Japan, blending horse racing with idol culture.
: The duo YOASOBI dominated the charts with "Yoru ni Kakeru" (Into the Night), which became Japan's first diamond-certified streaming song. They also held top spots with "Gunjo" and "Kaibutsu". 2021 saw the closure of iconic Sega arcades
No sector embodied 2021's spirit of resilience and growth more than the anime industry. According to the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA), the anime market, encompassing everything from TV production to merchandise and overseas expansion, reached a record high of 2.74 trillion yen in 2021. This represented a 13.3% increase from the previous year and a 9.1% increase over 2019's previous record, marking a stunning "comeback" that defied the ongoing pandemic.