The Japanese film industry is one of the most successful in Asia, producing a wide range of movies, from action and drama to anime and horror. Some notable features of the Japanese film industry include:

The most visible pillars of the industry are anime and manga. Unlike Western comics, which were historically viewed as "for kids," manga in Japan covers every conceivable genre—from high-stakes corporate drama to gourmet cooking.

Today, Japanese entertainment is no longer a niche market. As of 2023, the industry’s overseas sales reached ($40.6 billion), rivaling the export value of the country’s steel and semiconductor industries. A History of Popular Culture in Japan