{
  "id": 13396002,
  "title": "Sony’s Crunchyroll to Launch New Division Focused on Live-Action Adaptations to Globally Promote Anime",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/sonys-crunchyroll-to-launch-new-division-focused-on-live-action",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-10T11:00:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
    "slug": "the-japan-news-by-the-yomiuri-shimbun",
    "url": "https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/manga-anime/20261010-353208/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sony's U.S. streaming service, Crunchyroll, is expanding its reach by launching a new division focused on live-action anime adaptations, aiming to promote anime globally. The division, announced during an entertainment industry event in New York, will handle the creation and production of live-action anime titles, as well as anime adaptations of non-Japanese films and TV shows. The new venture will collaborate with Aniplex Inc., the distributor of the popular anime series \"Kimetsu no Yaiba\" (\"Demon Slayer\").\n\nCrunchyroll President Rahul Purini emphasized the company's commitment to delivering exceptional Japanese works to anime fans worldwide, stating that a successful event would result in at least one new collaboration. The announcement comes as investment in anime, which enjoys immense popularity overseas, continues to rise. Major U.S. streaming service Netflix has also partnered with animation production company MAPPA to jointly promote their business activities.\n\nCrunchyroll operates a paid service streaming anime and other content in approximately 200 countries and regions, boasting 21 million subscribers and a library of around 50,000 episodes. The streaming service has broadened its scope to include film distribution and merchandise sales. As part of Sony Group Corp., Sony positions its entertainment businesses, including games, music, and movies, as key growth drivers. Sony Group President Hiroki Totoki highlighted the global growth of anime at the event, stating that the company is committed to ensuring its continued success for years to come.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK — Crunchyroll, LLC, a U.S. streaming service venture owned by Sony Group Corp., is stepping up its efforts to globally promote anime by establishing a new division dedicated to live-action adaptations of anime and other projects. It plans to expand its business to include the planning and production of titles to expand its earnings by leveraging their global popularity.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}