Streaming services have become one of the anime industry’s biggest tools to reach new and wider audiences. Thanks to platforms like Netflix, series likeNaruto, which were once only popular among niche audiences, have become a global phenomenon, with millions of fans enjoying the titular protagonist’s quest to save the world.
While it would be reasonable to assume that a show more than two decades old would have lost relevance to the new generation of anime. Yet, according tonew reports shared by Netflix,Narutocontinues to dominate, being one of the most popular series on the platform and far outranking more recent anime.
Netflix Confirms Naruto Is More Popular Than Ever
The Series Has Surpassed Most Modern Shows
For more than two decades, Masashi Kishimoto’sNarutofranchise has been one of the most important pillars of the anime industry. The beloved story of the titular ninja fighting against some of the strongest villains of all time to protect his world and become Hokage is one that has enchanted fans ever since it was first released.
Due to its age, most fans would reasonably argue that the show, despite still being considered one of thebest anime of all time, would have lost interest in favor of more recent series. Surprisingly, this does not seem to be the case, asNetflix’s recent reports have revealed thatNaruto: Shippudenis the most popular anime on the platform.
According to the streaming service, during the first half of 2025, anime accounted for more than 4.4 billion hours of watching time. Out of this massive number,Narutohas been seen for more than 40 million hours, far surpassing many ofthe new-gen anime masterpieces, likeDemon SlayerandAttack on Titan.
Netflix Has Helped Naruto Resurface
Social Media Have Also Played a Pivotal Role
Despite being by far one of the most successful andbest-selling manga in history, it would make sense for theNarutofranchise to have lost fans’ interest over the years. Besides the moderately popular ongoingBoruto: Two Blue Vortexseries, the series has not released new content revolving around the titular protagonist in years.
Netflix might have played a big role inNarutoremaining one of the most significant anime by making it easily accessible for fans to rewatch time and time again. The streaming platform has undoubtedly been pivotal inmaking anime a part of the mainstreamin recent years, as well as maintaining the influence of the classics.
Social media has also been quite important for the resurgence ofNaruto, as fans who have fallen in love with the series once more have taken to the internet to share their interests. There has been a recent boom of edits, discussions, and highlight reels online, all centered around the blonde ninja and his adventures.
