A newly released anime series has surpassed all other mainstream franchises, including Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Dragon Ball, to claim the title of Netflix’s most-watched anime for the latter half of 2024.

The highly anticipated premiere of Dandadan in 2024 quickly gained popularity, outshining established anime titles with significant fan followings. According to data from Netflix’s What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report, covering the period from July to December 2024, the quirky blend of sci-fi and paranormal elements in the first season of Dandadan secured its position as the most popular anime, achieving 19.6 million views and a total of 96.5 million hours viewed.

Dandadan beats Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen to become the most-watched anime on Netflix

The Science Saru production achieved remarkable viewership despite its late release in October 2024, surpassing both Demon Slayer Season 4 and Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 to claim the top position. A second season is scheduled to debut in July 2025.

In contrast to the data released for the latter half of the year, Netflix’s Engagement Report, which covers the period from January to June 2024, indicated that Studio Trigger’s Delicious in Dungeon Season 1 was the most-viewed anime during the first half of the year. In this timeframe, Demon Slayer’s Hashira Training Arc secured the second spot.

However, Netflix’s leading anime from the first half of 2024 experienced a significant drop, falling to the 14th position in the latest rankings for the period from July to December. While various instalments of the Demon Slayer series managed to enter the Top 10 in the latter half of the year, Jujutsu Kaisen’s first season achieved third place, accumulating 8.1 million views and 76.9 million hours of watch time.

Dandadan especially became a huge hit overseas, thanks to its streaming success story

It is important to highlight that the streaming rights for Dandadan were not limited to Netflix alone. The anime was accessible on various platforms, such as Crunchyroll and Muse Asia, among others. MBS (Mainichi Broadcasting System), a leader in the Japanese broadcasting sector, was the original network responsible for adapting Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga into an anime.

The network had previously indicated that while the series did not achieve remarkable broadcasting ratings in Japan, it became a significant success in international streaming markets. This success prompted the company to designate Dandadan as a 'flagship' title. MBS President Yoichi Mushiaki remarked during a press conference, “It is a familiar narrative in the anime industry where broadcast ratings may not be particularly high, yet in the case of ‘Dandadan,’ the international response has far exceeded that in Japan.”

He further noted, “As it commenced airing on Japanese television, it simultaneously began distribution on international platforms in regions such as France, America, and Taiwan, where it secured the top position in various anime rankings.” Acknowledging its remarkable success on Netflix, the network expressed pride in the show's unparalleled popularity abroad, despite its lacklustre performance domestically.

July-Dec 2024: Netflix's Top 15 most-watched anime series (Views, Hours watched)

1. Dandadan Season 1 (19.6 million, 96.5 million hours)
2. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hashira Training Arc (12.9 million, 51.1 million hours)
3. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 (8.1 million, 76.9 million hours)
4. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Entertainment District Arc (6.9 million, 33.7 million hours)
5. Ranma ½ Season 1 (6.6 million, 30.6 million hours)
6. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc (6.4 million, 65.5 million hours)
7. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Train Arc (6 million, 17 million hours)
8. Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance: Season 1 (6 million, 14.7 million hours)
9. Dragon Ball DAIMA (5.8 million, 26.6 million hours)
10. Spy x Family Season 1 (5.5 million, 55.1 million hours)
11. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 (5.4 million, 55.4 million hours)
12. Terminator Zero Season 1 (4.8 million, 18.2 million hours)
13. KENGAN ASHURA Season 2 (4.1 million, 48.2 million hours)
14. Delicious in Dungeon Season 1 (4 million, 41.4 million hours)
15. The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse Season 1 (4 million, 37.6 million hours)

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