Sword Art Online’s director believes anime is entering a moment where it can rival, and potentially replace, Hollywood’s long-standing dominance on the global stage.
Over the past decade, Japanese animation has shifted from a niche import to a mainstream box office hit, with theatrical releases now competing directly with major Western franchises in overseas markets.
Speaking in comments reported by Automaton, Sword Art Online’s director Tomohiko Ito pointed to recent disruptions that have reshaped the global film industry and put anime movies into the mainstream.
SAO director believes anime could replace Hollywood
“Taking into consideration the WGA strike from a few years ago…, it also seems like the influential power of Hollywood movies has been weakening, so I think [Japanese anime] have managed to become a good replacement for them,” he said.
However, Ito also cautioned against Japanese creators trying too hard to appeal to overseas audiences. “There have actually been many cases where focusing too much on ‘global appeal’ has led to failure,” he explained. According to Ito, what Japanese creators assume will resonate worldwide often misses the mark with international viewers.
Ito’s remarks also follow on the back of changes within Japan’s entertainment industry. In November 2025, the Japanese government revealed plans to expand the country’s entertainment market overseas to 20 trillion yen by 2033, roughly $130 billion USD.
The strategy includes major backing for anime studios, game developers, and creators aiming to break into the international scene.
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