Anime-style RPGs were the undisputed champions of the livestreaming world in November 2025! This is according to the latest data from Niko Partners' China Games & Livestreaming Tracker. The report reveals a fascinating trend: these games are not just popular; they're dominating viewership, and it's all thanks to strategic updates and exciting in-game events. Let's dive into the details, shall we?
First off, congratulations to Niko Partners for being recognized as the Best Service Provider at the 2025 MENA Games Awards, thanks to their collaborative whitepaper with Xsolla!
Now, back to the main event. RPGs, particularly those with an anime aesthetic, captured the hearts (and eyeballs) of viewers across China's livestreaming platforms. This surge in popularity is directly linked to major updates and special events that kept players and viewers glued to their screens. The Niko Index, a unique metric used by Niko Partners to gauge total viewership across various games, streamers, and categories, helped to identify the top performers.
Let's take a closer look at a few standout titles:
Wuthering Waves: This free-to-play, cross-platform game (mobile, PC, and console) from Kuro Games saw a massive 103% month-over-month increase in viewership, reaching a staggering 36.5 million viewers and climbing to #14 from #24 in the previous month. The Version 2.8 preview livestream, aired on November 14th across platforms like Bilibili, Huya, and Douyu, was a major draw. Bilibili alone pulled in 20.4 million views in a single day! The actual launch of Version 2.8 on November 20th, which concluded the title’s 2.0 series, kept the momentum going.
Zenless Zone Zero: Another free-to-play, cross-platform title (mobile, PC, and console) developed by miHoYo, Zenless Zone Zero, experienced an impressive 84% month-over-month increase, accumulating 30.9 million viewers and jumping to #19 from #25. Similar to Wuthering Waves, the Version 2.4 preview, also aired on November 14th across Bilibili, Huya, and Douyu, caused a significant spike in viewership. Bilibili alone attracted 18.8 million views in a single day! Version 2.4, launched on November 26th, introduced new events, characters, and plot details.
Stella Sora: Yostar's free-to-play, cross-platform mobile/PC RPG, Stella Sora, saw a phenomenal surge in viewership, with a 1,721% increase, reaching 9.0 million viewers and rocketing to #39 from #191. This explosive growth was primarily due to its first major content update, released on November 18th, shortly after the game's open beta launch on October 20th. This update brought story expansions, new characters, cosmetic items, and limited-time in-game events.
But here's where it gets interesting... Bilibili, with its strong appeal to a younger audience and its deep connection with ACGN culture (Anime, Comics, Games, and Novels), has become a crucial platform for anime-style RPG game reveals. This shows how important it is to align with the culture and preferences of your target audience.
This data is just a glimpse of the insights available in the China Games & Livestreaming Tracker. You can find a free sample to explore further. The Tracker itself is updated every 24 hours, providing clients with the latest trends and data. Interested in learning more? You can also book a free demo.
So, what do you think? Are you surprised by these numbers? Do you think the success of these games is sustainable? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Did you know that the games are free to play?
