Summary

2025 is shaping up to be awonderful year for anime fans, as Japan and China have officially announced a series of 10 agreements that the two will be collaborating on multiple projects, one of which is anime! During the Japan-China High Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Dialogue on 12 May 2025, the Financial Bureau made it public they had decided to conclude this. Both governments have also demonstrated a great interest in developing co-produced content across many different areas of cultural sectors,with animation being a major priority.

Under this cooperation, it also falls within a larger framework of efforts to build up cultural exchanges and people contact between the two nations. The support for further cooperation in the fields of film, television, music, publishing, animation, games and other cultural and entertainment fields has also been reflected in the official statement. For anime lovers, it means creative and varied content bringing together thespecific strengths of Japanese and Chinese artistry.

A New Chapter in Anime Collaboration

Japan and China Unite to Enrich the Anime Landscape

The cooperation between both countries in anime has been going on for a while. However, it is only recently being supported at a governmental level. This backing is believed to enhance more remarkable cooperation; Japan’s storytelling andanimation talent matched up with China’s ample resourcesand increasing talent search is a win-win situation for both artists and fans. Anime films such asFlavors of Youthindicate that such cooperation is possible. This movie, which originated in China in collaboration with Japan and has now been out on Netflix and in theaters in both countries, comprises stories directed by both Chinese and Japanese, thus representing both cultures andarts in a rather complementary manner.

I always realize the value of things after I lose them. Everything that’s precious. - Yi Lin, Flavors of Youth

For anime fans, this collaboration will bring new productions that will give a boost based on the potential of the two nations. By blending the traditional forms of Japanese anime with Chinese creativity and styles of narrative, the viewers can get interesting series and movies. Coupled with this, such projects will secure the necessary financing and the distribution networks needed to wage their campaign all across the world. This means fans canexpect much better quality than what typical animehas to offer and even something that may be considered out of the ordinary.

What’s on the Horizon for Japan-China Anime Collaborations

Although no specific project works have been declared in the announcement, it marks development plans for the future works to be commenced in the future. Companies such as Ufotable haveworked previously with Hoyoverse forGenshinin the past, and with this newfound governmental support, more elaborate projects are expected. Co-runners of Studio Ghibli have also recently initiated an initial cooperation agreement with the Alibaba Group, which is based in China. Also, the CCG Expo in Shanghai has included in its plan to bring out the best Chinese animated films in Japan after the Chinese Animation Appreciation Week.

Fans should expect more news in the near future from Japanese and Chinese studios, since this is a combination of the two cultures and the creativity of the two countries. The cooperation of the Japanese and Chinese industries inanime production is a brand-new development within the domain. Supported by governments and aiming at the same goal, such a partnership is a guarantee of creating outstanding and engaging content that will meet the expectations of fans worldwide.