Danica Davidson
April 15, 2025 
Sales of Blu-ray and DVD discs have really plunged over the years as streaming becomes more popular. Sony even declared that it was halting its manufacturing of BD and minidiscs this past February. But the news website Japan Forward suggested that otaku can still keep disc sales alive.
After doing some research, Panasonic said that people who are into “oshi-katsu” tend to be really interested in making sure they have what they like on home video, so it can’t just disappear with streaming. “Oshi-katsu” refers to a type of fandom where someone is especially dedicated to an anime character, an idol, an actor, etc.
Panasonic asserted that, according to its research, the majority of Japanese women in their 20s to 50 said “recorders are an essential item for enjoying ‘oshi-katsu.'” There are an estimated 14 million Japanese people who consider themselves into oshi-katsu, and they spend an average of 250,000 yen (about $1,746.29) annually on their otaku interests. Panasonic wants to keep making BD recorders and said in an official statement, “Demand for older models of recorders is falling, but our competitiveness and profitability are increasing. We hope to create demand by studying market trends closely and offering ways to enjoy content that only we can provide.”
Japan Forward noted, “It might not be far-fetched to say that ‘oshi-katsu’ is the last bastion of Japan’s BD recorder culture.”
Eiji Mori of market research firm BCN told Japan Forward, “The number of users that connect disc drives to their TVs is increasing. Together with the pressure from streaming services, there are few new recorder models being released. With almost no factors to spur demand, we may see manufacturers quietly cease production.”
Mori also remarked, “Some content is not featured as part of streaming services, and BD demand from ‘otaku’ could also remain.”
Source: Japan Forward
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
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