India, April 14 -- The anime industry generates a revenue of around $20 billion each year. Based in Japan, this cultural phenomenon has such a strong global footprint that some of the biggest anime series and franchises dwarf even Hollywood franchises and blockbusters. The biggest of them all has revenue that is the size of a few countries' GDP.

Even as Demon Slayer, Solo Leveling, and One Piece dominate the ratings and viewership charts these days, their revenues are much lower in comparison to the chart-topping sensation that is Pokemon. The Japanese media franchise began as a series of role-playing games in 1996, followed by a manga series, trading card games, and eventually anime series and films. In the 29 years since, the franchise...