7. Future Outlook
- Streaming normalization – Late but accelerating (Netflix funding original anime).
- Global co-productions – One Piece live-action (Netflix US-Japan), Like a Dragon (Amazon).
- AI & virtual production – Studio Orange (Land of the Lustrous) using CGI; risk to traditional animators.
- Post-Johnny’s era – Agency reform, idols gaining individual contracts.
- Sustainable work reforms – Animation union (JAniCA) slowly gaining traction.
: Companies are using AI to enhance content recommendation and create "virtual influencers". Family Entertainment
Future Research Directions: