Netflix’s New Anime ‘Moonrise’ Bombs Despite High Hopes and Stunning Production!

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In the spring season of 2025, numerous fantastic new anime premiered, and one of them was Netflix’s “Moonrise.” Known for its stunning visuals, this original sci-fi anime was created by Wit Studio with character designs by Hiromu Arakawa, renowned for “Fullmetal Alchemist,” and directed by a seasoned animator from “Attack on Titan.” The limited promotional content hinted at its breathtaking beauty.

Despite having all the potential to become anime’s next major success, Moonrise unfortunately failed to gain widespread recognition. It has been two weeks since its release, and viewers agree that it is as good, if not better, than initially anticipated. However, due to its scheduling, many people have overlooked it, making it unlikely to receive significant acclaim in the near future. The reasons behind this are now quite familiar, which makes it all the more disappointing, particularly for a series like Moonrise.

Moonrise Is One Of Netflix’s Least-Popular Anime, According To A New Report

Moonrise Was As Unpopular As People Feared It Would Be

Two weeks have passed, and it’s clear that Moonrise is barely being discussed, a fact not based on rumors. According to Netflix’s viewership data, Moonrise didn’t even manage to break into the top 10 of non-English shows when it was first released, despite the programs that made the list that week having relatively low viewership numbers. In contrast, shows like Terminator Zero and Sakamoto Days easily made it onto the top 10 list, suggesting that Moonrise’s performance on Netflix can only be described as a significant disappointment or failure.

The disappointing outcome of “Moonrise” is unfortunately not shocking, given its producer Ryoma Kawamura’s previous concerns about Netflix’s minimal promotion on social media. Before the release, Kawamura appealed for increased promotion as he was unable to do so himself and described the film as being “buried deep”. Unfortunately, it seems that Kawamura’s pleas were not heard, as “Moonrise”, despite the outcry from fans and staff about its lack of attention, has mainly gone unnoticed by viewers. It is unlikely to gain wider recognition in the near future.

Why Netflix’s Moonrise Failed When Other Netflix Anime Were Hits

Netflix Still Isn’t The Best Place For Anime

It’s clear that the series Moonrise did not succeed, and it wasn’t just due to insufficient marketing. Shows like Dandadan, Sakamoto Days, Devilman Crybaby, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners on Netflix also had limited promotion, but they had the advantage of being adaptations with existing fanbases. These shows were either released weekly or, if they dropped all episodes at once, had a small number of episodes to watch. In contrast, Moonrise was an original story that released 20 episodes simultaneously. Given this release strategy, even if Netflix had marketed it more effectively, the viewership for Moonrise likely would have been impacted due to its unconventional release model.

It’s truly regrettable when shows like Moonrise, which had great potential due to its compelling storyline and high-quality production, fall victim to Netflix’s binge-watching model. Given its anime genre and the fact that it could have thrived on a platform more suitable for such content, the cancellation of Moonrise under Netflix’s model is particularly unfortunate. At best, Moonrise may become a cherished cult classic remembered fondly in years to come, but it’s a pity it couldn’t reach greater heights.

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2025-04-24 20:59