Chinese Donghua and Manhua Go Global — 2026-09-19
Bilibili’s aggressive global expansion continues to reshape how international fans access Chinese animation, with new data highlighting the platform's shift toward original content and away from licensed Japanese titles. Meanwhile, domestic viewers are grappling with a fragmented October simulcast season, as Bilibili’s reduced acquisition of Japanese anime forces fans to navigate multiple platforms for their autumn lineup.
Chinese Donghua and Manhua Go Global — 2026-09-19
Bilibili’s International App Launch Removes Barriers for Global Fans
Bilibili has relaunched its international app, removing the requirement for a Chinese ID to access its content library. This move, highlighted in recent analyses published in early September, opens the door for overseas users to stream donghua and read manhua raws without previous geographic or verification restrictions.
Domestic Fans Face Fragmented October Simulcast Landscape
As the October anime season approaches, Chinese fans are reporting a significant shift in availability. Data from mid-September indicates that Bilibili has largely paused the acquisition of new Japanese simulcasts for nearly a year. Consequently, the "autumn season" viewing experience is becoming increasingly fragmented, with fans needing to calculate which platforms hold specific licenses rather than relying on Bilibili as the default hub.
AI-Generated Content Gains Traction on Bilibili
A notable trend emerging in early September is the rise of high-quality AI-generated short dramas on Bilibili. The AI historical short drama Wen Cang Sheng (Asking the Common People) reportedly achieved over 10 million views within five days of its release, with total platform views reaching tens of millions. This signals a potential new avenue for low-cost, high-volume content production that may complement traditional donghua slates.
Local view
Local media outlets like Smzdm (What’s Worth Buying) are analyzing the "four ledgers" fans must keep when tracking the autumn season, noting that while Japanese simulcast hype remains high (with PVs like Dragon Ball Super: Beerus gaining traction), the actual domestic availability is shrinking. The sentiment reflects a growing realization that Bilibili is pivoting from being a general anime hub to a primary distributor of Chinese donghua and original content.
Context & numbers
The Chinese animation market continues to show robust growth metrics, with recent industry statistics citing a market size of 457.3 billion yuan in 2022 and streaming views hitting 500 billion. However, specific data points regarding the immediate impact of Bilibili's 2026 global strategy on these totals are still emerging. The trend suggests a consolidation of resources into original IP rather than licensed foreign content.
On the radar
- October Simulcast Availability: Watch for official license announcements from other platforms like Tencent Video or iQIYI to see if they fill the gap left by Bilibili’s reduced Japanese acquisitions.
- Bilibili Original Slate: Expect further announcements regarding the "Made by Bilibili" titles as the platform leans into its global expansion strategy.
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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