Indie animation is having a moment on YouTube

While Hollywood is trying to figure out what to do with animation, the independent media scene is clearly thriving on YouTube.

A recent report from the company’s trends and culture team dug into the indie boom for shows like Amazing digital circus (whose final episode hits theaters in June) and Hell of a boss. A survey conducted in April 2025 shows that 61% of animation fans between the ages of 14 and 24 like works by indie creators more than those of a major studio. Many of these shows, such as Korean-produced first-for-YouTube series alien scene, have a large international audience, while others have successfully expanded by simultaneously launching alternative platforms such as Prime Video or Netflix.

In this same 14-24 age range, fans watch indie animation in different ways: on a weekly basis, 66% watch animated memes; 57% watch animation (rough sketches, think Very nice Please I don’t want to be a magical girl); and 63% watch fully animated episodes. Also, 50% of animation fans aged 14-49 also watch their favorite shows online in foreign languages.

As for territories, YouTube’s report drew attention to popular indies such as those made in the US damn boss of Brazil Society of Virtue, and so on. He also touched on VTubers as part of the ecosystem and how indie creators have leaned into their individual communities with memes, crowdfunding and the like. Throughout the report, YouTube makes sure to highlight these shows and creators for « (creating) original characters and stories with engaged fan communities (that) show what it takes to be successful in entertainment today. »

For animation fans, YouTube’s breakdown shows what they’ve suspected for a while, that independent works are becoming the new buzz needed more than ever. And for creatives, the report is useful for creating a project that can find an audience or even enter the industry.

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