Why Streaming Deals Are the Lifeline for New Anime Projects

Getting a brand new anime series onto our screens takes a lot more than a great manga or light novel. Behind the scenes, the financial process is shifting in a big way. Yusuke Onuki, president of Bushiroad Move and a veteran producer who worked on popular shows like The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You, recently shed light on how shows actually get made.

According to Onuki, streaming platforms now play a massive role in securing the necessary funds before an anime even airs. He explained that a financial agreement known as a minimum guarantee acts as an absolute lifeline for production teams. Without this upfront security from streaming services, many studios would struggle to get their projects greenlit in the first place.

For fans, this means the future of our favorite adaptations is closely tied to how streaming giants pick up new titles. As the industry continues to change, understanding these behind the scenes deals helps us see how the shows we love finally make it from the page to the screen.