What was the most-watched anime on Netflix in 2024? You might expect a breakout hit likeDan Da Danor a fan-favorite likeJujutsu Kaisen. However,according to recent reports,the most-watched anime on Netflix last year wasNaruto, amassing approximately 330 million hours of watch time. This is surprising, consideringNarutoconcluded its original run in 2017, meaning no new episodes have aired in nearly a decade. Yet, the series continues to captivate global audiences, reaffirming its status as an anime industry titan.
In the world of streaming anime, it’s tough to beat Netflix. Sure, services like Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime Video boast massive anime catalogs and top-tier shows, but Netflix remains a leader in key areas. In 2023, it generated approximately $2.07 billion from anime alone, making it the top player in global anime revenue. Crunchyroll followed with $1.16 billion, meaning Netflix commanded a significant 38% of the total anime streaming revenue worldwide. Being the most-watched anime on Netflix isn’t just a milestone—it signifies industry dominance.
The Legacy of Naruto: From Manga to Anime Phenomenon
How Naruto Redefined Shonen and Global Anime Fandom
Masashi Kishimoto’sNarutobegan as a manga inWeekly Shonen Jumpin 1999 and ran until 2014, spanning 700 chapters across 72 volumes. Due to its immense popularity, it was adapted into an anime that aired from 2002 to 2007, covering 220 episodes. The story continued withNaruto: Shippudenfrom 2007 to 2017, adding another 500 episodes and bringing the total count to 720.
WhenNarutoreached international audiences,it became a cultural phenomenon, altering how anime was consumed.Dragon Ball Zhad already introduced viewers toShonen Jump-style storytelling—fast-paced action, humor, drama, and the classic “hard work pays off” narrative.Narutotook these elements and refined them, but what truly set it apart was its deep storytelling and character development. At its core, the series follows Naruto Uzumaki, a loud yet lonely ninja striving to become Hokage. The show explores themes of perseverance, friendship, and legacy, particularly throughNaruto’s rivalry with Sasukeand the mentors who shape his journey.
Naruto’s American Breakthrough: Toonami, Disney XD, and Adult Swim
The Streaming Revolution: How Crunchyroll Changed Anime Distribution
Narutomade its U.S. debut on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block in 2005, introducing a new generation to anime. It aired until 2009, covering all 220 episodes of the original series. Its sequel,Naruto: Shippuden, premiered in 2009 on Disney XD but only lasted until 2011 before moving to Adult Swim’s Toonami in 2014, where it continued for years. On the home video front, Viz Media started releasingNarutoDVDs in 2006, offering both edited and uncut versions.Shippudenfollowed in 2009, with DVD and Blu-ray releases extending into the 2020s.
The way people watchedNarutoshifted drastically with the rise of streaming. When Crunchyroll became the first platform to simulcastNaruto: Shippudenin 2009, it revolutionized anime distribution. Before then, international fans had to wait months—or even years—for localized TV broadcasts or home video releases. Crunchyroll’s model allowed U.S. audiences to legally watch newShippudenepisodes with subtitles on the same day they aired in Japan. This innovation helped establish simulcasts as the industry standard, shaping the modern anime landscape.
Naruto’s Second Life on Netflix: A Classic That Won’t Fade
The Future of Anime Streaming: Netflix’s Growing Influence
This shift underscores Netflix’s increasing impact on the anime industry. While Crunchyroll revolutionized anime distribution, Netflix is transforming how anime is consumed—bringing legacy titles likeNarutoto a broader, more mainstream audience. And withNarutoleading the charge, the message is clear: great anime never fades—it simply finds new platforms to thrive on.
Naruto
Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists' children and returning faces.
