Capcom credits Netflix’s Devil May Cry anime with helping DMC 5 push past 10 million sales

Devil May Cry 5 has officially crossed 10 million units sold since its 2019 release, and according to Capcom, the boost came largely thanks to Netflix’s anime adaptation reigniting interest in the franchise.

“Recently, on April 3, 2025, the company released the new Devil May Cry animated series on Netflix,” said Capcom’s press release, “in line with the company’s Single Content Multiple Usage strategy,” which sees the company adapting its IP into shows and films to help bolster gaming sales.

The hit animated series helped push Devil May Cry 5 past 10 million sales, said Capcom, thanks to global acclaim and over 5.3 million views in its debut week. It’s also worth noting that one of the publisher’s frequent Golden Week sales (there’s literally another one live at the time of publishing) on Steam drove a 438.54% spike in DMC 5’s player count, peaking at 14,645, an impressive feat for a five-year-old title.

But it’s hard to argue the effect a successful anime can have on a gaming IP, especially after seeing Netflix’s Cyberpunk: Edgerunners attract newfound interest in the buggy, floundering version of Cyberpunk 2077 that existed in 2022.

Devil May Cry 5 launched on March 8, 2019, and was a bona fide hit upon release thanks to its indulgently stylish combat and badass fun. Coupled with a banger like the Resident Evil 2 remake in the same year, it led to Capcom USA chief executive Kiichiro Urata flashing a victory sign and declaring, “Capcom is back.”