Netflix’s Warner Bros. Deal Is Raising Major Red Flags For Your Favorite Anime

Netflix’s Warner Bros. Deal Is Raising Major Red Flags For Your Favorite Anime Warner Bros logo on phone with Netflix logo blurred in background By  Branson Garza Published 2 hours ago Branson is a Senior Writer for ScreenRant. Anime has been a major part of his life since he was able to raise his hands in the air for a Spirit Bomb. As a journalist, Branson focuses heavily on listicles and op-eds detailing the industry's greatest shonen series. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Netflix has recently announced their acquisition of Warner Bros. in a massive, multi-billion dollar deal that might change the future of streaming anime. Warner Bros. notably owns HBO Max, home to plenty of great anime series.

There are plenty of positives regarding Netflix's latest acquisition, but there are a few negatives that anime fans should keep in mind. While Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros. means that anime fans have one less streaming service to subscribe to, it might mean that Netflix puts out less anime in the future too.

Netflix Is Already Home to Some of the Best Anime Around

A decade ago, there was only one place to stream anime in America: Crunchyroll. Netflix had a few major titles, like Attack on Titan, but Crunchyroll had those same titles and more. Crunchyroll had major hits and niche picks, making it the only destination for true anime fans in the West to check out some of the best anime around.

Since then, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus have invested in anime in a major way. While Crunchyroll might still be the king of streaming anime in America, Netflix has been right behind them for a few years now, and their recent acquisition of Warner Bros. closes the gap even further.

Netflix is home to some of the best anime around, and they have a ton of series that can't be streamed anywhere else in America. Blue Box, Violet Evergarden, and The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity are just some of their exclusive titles, and they are easily three of the best romance anime series ever made.

Netflix also has action-packed thrill rides like Sakamoto Days, Record of Ragnarok, and the gripping Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. They're a streaming service that has leveled up considerably in the past few years, and it looks like they're not letting up any time soon.

Warner Bros. Has Hits Too

Warner Bros. has a ton of great anime to watch as well. Famously, HBO Max is the only place to stream Studio Ghibli movies in America, and Studio Ghibli films are easily some of the best anime films ever made.

My Neighbor Totoro is basically required viewing for anyone who likes anime, and Spirited Away is often referred to as one of the best isekai stories ever told. Studio Ghibli has no shortage of hits, and they're all on HBO Max, which means that as soon as the acquisition is complete, they'll be on Netflix.

Netflix's Acquisition of Warner Bros. Might Mean Less Netflix Originals

It seems like Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. is purely positive, but it might not be. On the one hand, Netflix has now created an even stronger streaming service that has even more great anime, saving subscribers from having to pay for a separate streaming service. On the other hand, Netflix might not invest heavily in creating more anime now that they've just acquired more.

Netflix's backing of projects like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners has been massive. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners alone is on its way to being considered a classic, and it's just one of the series that Netflix has funded. There are plenty of other series like it, and hopefully, they continue creating and adapting these wonderful stories.

Netflix has been no stranger to increasing their prices as well, and acquiring HBO Max's entire catalog of movies and shows is a great reason for them to increase it again. It's a bittersweet deal that has plenty of possibilities, and hopefully, more for the better than for the worse.

The Future of Anime Is in an Odd Place

The future of anime has never been in a weirder place. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has become the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, showing just how profitable anime movies can be. It's changed the world of anime in and of itself; because of how massive Infinity Castle is, every anime franchise wants to create a movie.

Crunchyroll's massive success has also caused itself a problem; now that other streaming services know that anime is cementing itself in the mainstream as a popular form of entertainment, more companies are willing to invest heavily into the art form.

Netflix has been right behind Crunchyroll in the anime streaming game for a while now, and their recent acquisition of Warner Bros. might see them inch ahead. If they lower their investment in anime, however, it might not change that lead much after all. For better or worse, this deal between Netflix and Warner Bros. proves that there's no way to be certain as to what the future of anime holds.

Netflix founded January 16, 2007 founders Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph first original series Lilyhammer notable shows Stranger Things, Squid Game, House of Cards, Wednesday notable movies KPop Demon Hunters, Bird Box, Red Notice

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