[Anime Expo 2025] Interview with Bilibili: Serious About Entering the U.S. Market with Donghua Series

During Anime Expo 2025, several media outlets, including Cheirush, had the opportunity to speak directly with Bilibili (Bstation). The conversation delivered a few surprising revelations—especially considering Bilibili’s growing status as one of the most successful anime streaming platforms in Southeast Asia.

Here are the key takeaways from the interview:

Will Bilibili Stream Anime or Donghua in the U.S.?

When asked about potential expansion into the American market, particularly in terms of anime and donghua availability, Bilibili offered an honest response:

“At the moment, we believe we rely too heavily on anime distributors, which hasn’t always worked out in our favor—or theirs. Because of that, we’ll continue streaming anime as usual in Southeast Asia, but in the U.S., we plan to focus primarily on donghua for now.”

This shows a clear regional strategy: anime remains strong in Asia, while donghua takes the spotlight in other territories.

Will Bilibili Appear at Future Events in Indonesia?

With many fans wondering if Bilibili will make a bigger presence at events in Indonesia, perhaps with interactive showcases or panels, here’s what the team had to say:

“Right now, we’re focusing on the digital world. That includes expanding our anime and donghua offerings, and launching new exclusive programs for our content creators on the platform.”

So while Bilibili might not go all-in on physical attractions at conventions just yet, they’re doubling down on digital features and creator engagement.

Did Bilibili Control Deadlines for The Beginning After the End?

Recent discussions in the anime community have brought up concerns over the production timeline of The Beginning After the End. Was Bilibili involved in setting strict deadlines?

“We (Bilibili/Bstation) had no authority in that aspect. Like Crunchyroll, we acted solely as a funding partner—we had no rights or control over the release schedule or production deadlines.”

This clarification puts to rest the idea that Bilibili directly influenced the project’s timeline.

Final Thoughts

Bilibili’s approach seems to be all about strategic focus. While they continue to dominate the Southeast Asian market with strong anime offerings, they’re also exploring growth through donghua in the West and expanding their support for digital creators.

With more collaborations and exclusive content on the horizon, it looks like Bilibili is just getting started.