Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced a new division of its Crunchyroll anime subsidiary called Crunchyroll Storyworks. Led by Tohru Iokibe, a veteran at Sony Corp., the unit aims to strengthen connections with the Japanese anime community and enhance Crunchyroll’s global presence.
Since its $1.2 billion acquisition of Crunchyroll in 2021, Sony has aimed to create a dominant player in the anime market. Crunchyroll’s services have seen significant growth, with over 21 million subscribers reported earlier this year.
The announcement was made during the Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum, coinciding with New York Comic Con. Crunchyroll Storyworks will focus on adapting global stories into anime and translating Japanese anime into live-action formats while honoring the original creative vision.
SPE CEO Ravi Ahuja emphasized the need to celebrate anime’s unique qualities while respecting creators’ intentions. Iokibe will report to Crunchyroll’s Chief Content Officer Asa Suehira, who highlighted the initiative’s goal of bridging cultures through storytelling.
