Chinese Donghua and Manhua Go Global — 2026-09-08
Bilibili’s global expansion continues to dominate headlines as the platform opens its doors to foreign brands and creators, removing identity verification hurdles to compete directly with YouTube and Crunchyroll. Meanwhile, Western media outlets are increasingly ranking Chinese donghua alongside Japanese anime, with recent listicles highlighting titles like *Full-Time Magister* and *Swallowed Star* as superior to many recent Japanese releases.
Chinese Donghua and Manhua Go Global — 2026-09-08
Top developments
Bilibili removes barriers for foreign brands and creators
In early September 2026, Bilibili further solidified its global push by opening its platform to foreign brands, building on its August decision to remove passport-based identity verification for overseas users. This move allows international marketers and creators to register and post content without the previous bureaucratic friction, signaling a strategic shift toward capturing global Gen Z audiences. The platform is actively staffing up in multiple cities and developing a creator marketplace to facilitate this cross-border engagement.
Western media ranks Donghua above Japanese anime
A new feature from Game Rant published on September 7, 2026, argues that several Chinese donghua series are "better than anything from Japan in the last 10 years." The article highlights the growing quality and narrative depth of Chinese animation, aiming to shift Western viewer perceptions that often default to Japanese anime. This reflects a maturing international audience that is increasingly discovering donghua through platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll.
Crunchyroll’s anime lineup faces streaming fragmentation
While not exclusively about donghua, the broader Asian animation market is seeing consolidation issues. Reports indicate that major platforms like Netflix, Disney, and Crunchyroll have left some Summer 2026 anime titles in "streaming limbo" due to licensing complexities. This fragmentation creates opportunities for platforms like Bilibili to fill gaps in international distribution if they can secure rights to high-demand titles that other giants overlook or mishandle.
Local view
Chinese consumer platform Smzdm (What’s Worth Buying) reported on September 6 that anticipation for the October new season is high, with Bilibili users actively engaging with preview videos (PVs) for upcoming titles. One specific PV for Dragon Ball Super: Beerus (a Japanese title distributed via Bilibili) garnered 128,000 views in three days, while another for a different series hit 840,000 views, indicating strong user retention despite Bilibili’s pause on purchasing some Japanese anime licenses. The local sentiment suggests that while Japanese content remains popular, the ecosystem is shifting toward self-produced donghua and global expansion.
Context & numbers
- Market Size: The Chinese animation market was valued at approximately 31.2 billion yuan (~$4.3 billion) in 2023, with projections to reach nearly $5.9 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 12.1%.
- User Engagement: 72% of China’s Gen Z watches at least one animation episode weekly, driving the demand that fuels Bilibili’s aggressive global strategy.
- Export Revenue: Chinese animation exports generated $1.8 billion in revenue in 2022, with key markets including the U.S. and Japan.
On the radar
- Bilibili World Attendance: Analyst Daniel Ahmad noted that Bilibili World 2026 in Shanghai drew 400,000 attendees, underscoring the massive offline community supporting the platform's digital expansion.
- Crunchyroll Brand Licensing: Crunchyroll is set to showcase its lineup at Brand Licensing Europe 2026, potentially highlighting more cross-border collaborations or donghua acquisitions as it seeks to diversify beyond Japanese exclusives.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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