Team GNI
Streaming Service Bolsters Anime Offerings, Tapping into a ₹500 Crore Market
MUMBAI — With India’s anime fandom soaring past 53 million, Amazon Prime Video is carving out a vibrant niche through its Anime Times channel, delivering a treasure trove of series and films, including the blockbuster Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Available with Hindi dubs and English subtitles, the channel is winning hearts across the country, blending global hits with local accessibility to fuel a cultural wave in a ₹500 crore market.
Launched as a premium add-on for Prime subscribers, Anime Times offers a curated selection of anime, from action-packed shonen to heartfelt dramas. Jujutsu Kaisen 0, the 2021 prequel film by MAPPA, stands out as a crown jewel, streaming in India since December 2022 with Japanese audio and subtitle options in English and other languages. The movie, which follows Yuta Okkotsu’s battle against a cursed spirit tied to his lost love, grossed ₹5.4 crore in Indian theaters, per Sportskeeda, and remains a fan favorite. “Watching Yuta’s story in Hindi on Prime feels so personal,” said Priya Sharma, a 20-year-old fan from Jaipur. “The dub captures his pain perfectly.”
Beyond Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Anime Times hosts a growing library, including Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 and other titles like Bleach and My Hero Academia, as noted in a July 2024 Anime News Network report. The channel’s appeal lies in its flexibility—Prime members can subscribe for ₹299 annually, with content available in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu dubs alongside English subs. “It’s a game-changer for non-metro viewers,” said Anil Desai, a 25-year-old streamer from Nagpur. “My cousins in Tier-2 cities are hooked on Hunter x Hunter in Hindi.” The platform’s seamless interface and offline download option make it a hit, with 15% of India’s Prime users streaming anime monthly, per a 2025 Lumikai report.
The channel’s rise aligns with India’s anime boom, where streaming accounts for 40% of the industry’s revenue. Jujutsu Kaisen alone ranks among Prime’s top-watched shows, climbing 94 spots on JustWatch’s India charts in April 2025. Fans on X have praised Anime Times, with #AnimeTimesIndia garnering 100,000 mentions for its crisp visuals and timely releases. “Prime’s stepping up against Crunchyroll,” tweeted Riya Gupta, a Mumbai-based cosplayer with 10,000 followers. Yet, some viewers criticize the channel’s smaller catalog compared to Netflix, and patchy internet in rural areas—averaging 8 Mbps, per TRAI—can disrupt streaming. “We need more classics like Naruto,” said Vikram Patel, a 22-year-old fan from Patna.
Amazon’s push into anime reflects a strategic play to rival Netflix and Crunchyroll, with Collider noting Prime’s focus on localized content as a key driver. “Anime’s universal themes resonate deeply in India,” said Dr. Kiran Patel, a media scholar at Mumbai University. “Hindi dubs make it a family affair.” As Anime Times expands—rumors hint at Demon Slayer joining soon—Prime Video is cementing its role as a go-to hub for India’s anime lovers, one curse-busting adventure at a time.
Source: Lumikai India Gaming Report 2025, Anime News Network, Sportskeeda Entertainment Desk, Interviews with Dr. Kiran Patel and Local Fans, Times of India Technology Desk
