—Kel McKnight, B1Daily

Who says an anime studio needs a television network to become successful? Japanese animation company Plott has spent years building its audience on YouTube, and now traditional broadcasters are becoming part of its next chapter.

On October 6, the Tokyo-based company announced plans to enter Japan’s terrestrial television anime market with three short-form animated series scheduled to begin rolling out in 2027.

The announcement marks a major expansion for a company whose success has largely come from short animated videos distributed through YouTube and other social media platforms.

Billions of Views Without Traditional Television

Founded in 2017, Plott has developed popular digital animation properties including Teikou Penguin, Karekore of Mixed Blood, Flag-chan!, and Private Para no Maru High School.

According to the company’s October announcement, its combined YouTube channels have accumulated more than 14 million subscribers and an extraordinary 24 billion lifetime views.

Those figures demonstrate how short-form animation can build substantial audiences without relying on traditional television schedules.

Plott’s business model also extends beyond advertising revenue. The company develops merchandise, comics, music, games, and other products around its animated properties.

Now it intends to apply that same strategy to television.

Three New Projects Arrive in 2027

Plott confirmed that three short-form television anime titles will begin airing sequentially in 2027. The company plans to oversee development, production planning, licensing, and merchandising.

However, the titles, broadcasting networks, premiere dates, and production arrangements have not yet been revealed.

The expansion comes as Plott strengthens its relationship with established entertainment companies. In a separate October announcement, TV Tokyo revealed a partnership with Plott on Mecha Samurai, an original short-form anime project featuring character concepts from Shaman King creator Hiroyuki Takei.

That collaboration demonstrates the growing interest in animation designed for digital platforms rather than exclusively for conventional television.

Is Short-Form Anime the Industry’s Next Big Opportunity?

Plott’s expansion represents an interesting reversal of the traditional anime business model.

For years, television exposure helped anime franchises attract online audiences. Plott has already built its audience online and is now attempting to carry that popularity into television broadcasting.

The approach could offer advantages for emerging creators. Shorter productions may allow studios to experiment with unusual concepts, test audience interest, and develop recognizable characters without immediately committing to full-length television seasons.

There are challenges, too. Popularity on YouTube does not automatically guarantee television ratings, and adapting internet-oriented comedy or storytelling to broadcast formats requires careful planning.

Still, Plott’s announcement illustrates how Japan’s animation industry is changing. Television is no longer necessarily where an anime franchise begins.

Sometimes, the next major animated property starts with a short video, a handful of characters, and an audience that keeps coming back.

—Kel McKnight, B1Daily