From Animal Crossing to Demon Slayer: Japan titles roared in 2020

Analysts see further demand even as vaccines spur hope for less time at home

20201228 Animal crossing and Demon Slayer

Japanese entertainment enjoyed a year of strong demand, thanks to an increase in homebound consumers following the coronavirus pandemic, with games and anime turning out to be the perfect cure for boredom. (Source photos by Nintendo and Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha/Aniplex/ufotable)

JADA NAGUMO, Nikkei staff writer

December 31, 2020 12:05 JST

TOKYO -- The year 2020 saw strong sales for Japanese entertainment products as consumers driven indoors by the coronavirus pandemic found the perfect cure for boredom in video games and anime. And while the rollout of vaccines could prompt more people to venture outside in 2021, analysts expect demand for fresh content to keep growing.