Amazon’s looking to strike at the hearts and wallets of anime fans with their first subscription channel.
Earlier today, Amazon launched its first subscription on-demand video channel. The new station, “Anime Strike,” is dedicated to anime content. The channel is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, and runs $4.99 per month on top of normal Prime fees. Customers can give the channel a sample with a seven-day free trial.
The initial library includes over 1,000 TV episodes and films, including Paprika, K, Attack on Titan, and Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga. Channel exclusives include:
- Scum’s Wish
- Onihei
- The Great Passage
- Shin chan Spin-off vol.1 Aliens vs. Shinnosuke Season 1
- Chi’s Sweet Adventure
New episodes will be added weekly. As of press time, Anime Strike is only available to Prime members in the United States.
Anime Strike is Amazon’s first branded sub-channel. Michael Paull, Amazon’s VP of digital video and head of Amazon Channels, commented on the launch, stating that “[w]ith anime in particular, there’s a strong, passionate audience that is underserved by traditional pay TV.”
Amazon plans to launch additional subscription channels in the coming months, though Amazon hasn’t state what niches or genres they’ll cover.
Last year, Amazon and Fuji TV announced that the two companies signed an exclusive distribution agreement. Amazon’s Prime Video service will be the exclusive streaming home for shows on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block.
Sources: TechCrunch, Variety