Sony Pictures Entertainment Launches Crunchyroll Storyworks, Aiming To Boost Japanese Anime's Reach
News Source
β’Wed, 07 Oct 2026 17:49:24 +0000
π° What Happened
Sony Pictures launched a new division of its anime company Crunchyroll. It is called Crunchyroll Storyworks and will be led by Tohru Iokibe. He is a 25-year veteran of Sony. The unit aims to strengthen ties with the Japanese anime community and raise anime's global profile.
π The Backstory
Sony bought Crunchyroll in 2021 for $1.2 billion. It combined the service with its Funimation business to dominate anime streaming. Crunchyroll passed 21 million subscribers earlier this year. Storyworks will turn global stories into anime and Japanese anime into live action. It was announced at the Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum, held before New York Comic Con.
π― Why It Matters
Anime is growing fast around the world. New shows could bring more diverse stories to fans and create work for creators in Japan and beyond.
Sony Pictures launched a new division of its anime company Crunchyroll. It is called Crunchyroll Storyworks and will be led by Tohru Iokibe. He is a 25-year veteran of Sony. The unit aims to strengthen ties with the Japanese anime community and raise anime's global profile.
Sony bought Crunchyroll in 2021 for $1.2 billion. It combined the service with its Funimation business to dominate anime streaming. Crunchyroll passed 21 million subscribers earlier this year. Storyworks will turn global stories into anime and Japanese anime into live action. It was announced at the Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum, held before New York Comic Con.
Anime is growing fast around the world. New shows could bring more diverse stories to fans and create work for creators in Japan and beyond.