Crunchyroll is one of the most popular anime streaming services globally, but many fans still wonder: who owns Crunchyroll today? From its early startup roots to major acquisitions, the ownership of Crunchyroll has gone through several phases. Here’s a complete look at the company’s profile, ownership, leadership, revenue, and affiliated brands.
Crunchyroll Company Profile
Crunchyroll is a U.S.-based subscription video-on-demand streaming platform primarily focused on anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture content. As of 2025, it operates in over 200 countries and territories, offering simulcasts, dubbed anime, original series, and exclusive licenses. The platform supports over 12 languages and serves both ad-supported and premium subscription models.
Crunchyroll has grown far beyond streaming. Today, it functions as a multi-dimensional entertainment brand with divisions in anime production, game publishing, e-commerce, theatrical distribution, and live fan events. It is widely regarded as the largest global anime platform.
Founders
Crunchyroll was founded in 2006 by a group of University of California, Berkeley graduates:
- Kun Gao – Co-founder and original CEO
- James Lin
- Brandon Ooi
- Vu Nguyen.
Initially created as a fan-uploaded site for Asian drama and anime, Crunchyroll quickly gained a passionate user base. However, its early years were marked by controversy for hosting unlicensed content.
Major Milestones
Here are the major turning points and developments in Crunchyroll’s history:
- 2006: Launched as a video-sharing platform focused on East Asian media.
- 2008–2009: Secured funding from Venrock and began removing unlicensed content. Shifted to legal streaming and signed licensing deals with Japanese studios.
- 2013: Acquired by The Chernin Group, forming part of Otter Media.
- 2016: Became part of AT&T’s WarnerMedia after Otter Media was absorbed.
- 2017: Hit 1 million paid subscribers and announced co-productions like The Ancient Magus’ Bride.
- 2020: Reached 3 million paid subscribers and launched Crunchyroll Originals, including Tower of God and Noblesse.
- August 2021: Sony Pictures Entertainment acquired Crunchyroll for $1.175 billion from WarnerMedia.
- 2022: Sony merged Funimation into Crunchyroll, consolidating all anime streaming under one brand.
- 2023: Crunchyroll shut down VRV and fully transitioned content to its main platform.
- 2024: Surpassed 13 million paid subscribers and launched Crunchyroll Game Vault, a curated game service for premium members.
- 2025: Introduced AI-powered multilingual subtitle translation and rolled out theatrical releases in over 40 countries, furthering its global expansion strategy.
Who Owns Crunchyroll?

Crunchyroll is wholly owned by Sony Group Corporation, through its subsidiaries Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex, a division of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Sony completed the full acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T’s WarnerMedia in August 2021, marking one of the most significant deals in the global anime industry.
Sony’s goal was to consolidate its anime assets and position itself as the dominant force in anime distribution worldwide. Crunchyroll now operates as part of Sony’s Global Anime Business, reporting to the anime division under Sony Pictures.
Parent Company: Sony Group Corporation

Sony Group Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate with business segments spanning entertainment, electronics, gaming, and financial services. It owns and operates Crunchyroll through two key subsidiaries:
- Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) – Oversees international streaming, film, and television businesses. SPE manages the business and strategic operations of Crunchyroll.
- Aniplex Inc. – A major Japanese anime producer and distributor. Aniplex handles much of the anime production, licensing, and co-financing in partnership with Crunchyroll. This includes collaborative anime projects and funding of original content.
This dual oversight allows Sony to control both the distribution and production of anime globally.
Acquisition Insights: How Sony Acquired Crunchyroll
Prior to Sony’s acquisition, Crunchyroll was owned by WarnerMedia, which itself was a division of AT&T. Crunchyroll became part of WarnerMedia through several intermediate corporate events:
- In 2013, Crunchyroll was acquired by The Chernin Group, and merged into Otter Media.
- Otter Media became part of AT&T in 2018, when AT&T acquired full control of the venture.
- Crunchyroll became part of WarnerMedia’s Direct-to-Consumer division, alongside HBO Max.
In December 2020, Sony announced it would acquire Crunchyroll from WarnerMedia for $1.175 billion. The deal was finalized in August 2021, following regulatory approvals in the U.S. and international markets.
Strategic Purpose of the Acquisition
The acquisition allowed Sony to:
- Combine Crunchyroll and Funimation, ending years of market rivalry.
- Build a single global anime streaming platform.
- Increase negotiation power with Japanese studios and production committees.
- Enhance its theatrical distribution, mobile gaming, and anime merchandise reach.
- Improve monetization through advertising, subscription models, and licensing deals.
Post-Acquisition Developments
After the acquisition:
- Sony chose to keep the Crunchyroll brand, absorbing Funimation’s staff, content, and user base.
- The company gradually phased out Funimation branding across all regions by mid-2022.
- It shut down its niche platform VRV in 2023, consolidating operations under Crunchyroll.
- As of 2025, all global anime licensing and streaming rights within Sony are managed by Crunchyroll and Aniplex.
Ownership Structure
Crunchyroll is not publicly traded and is fully integrated into Sony’s private business units. Therefore, there are no minority shareholders or external investors in Crunchyroll itself. All control lies within Sony’s corporate governance.
At the top level, Sony Group Corporation is a publicly traded company, with its shares listed on:
- Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE)
- New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker SONY.
Sony’s major institutional shareholders include:
- The Master Trust Bank of Japan
- Custody Bank of Japan
- BlackRock
- Vanguard Group.
These entities have influence at the Sony Group level but do not play a direct role in Crunchyroll’s operations. Decision-making for Crunchyroll is handled within Sony Pictures and Aniplex, under the direction of Sony’s executive leadership.
Control and Oversight
Crunchyroll operates under a hybrid leadership structure:
- It retains its own CEO and executive team.
- It receives strategic oversight from Sony Pictures in the U.S.
- It coordinates anime content decisions with Aniplex in Japan, especially regarding production and co-investment in original anime titles.
Who is the CEO of Crunchyroll?
The top executive at Crunchyroll holds the title President, which in practice encompasses the duties of a CEO. As of 2025, this role is held by Rahul Purini, who guides the company’s global strategy, day-to-day operations, and long-term vision.
Here’s a summary of who currently runs Crunchyroll as of July 2025:
- Current Leader: Rahul Purini, President (CEO-equivalent) since May 2022
- Experience: 25+ years in digital strategy; promoted from COO
- Key Achievements: Unified Crunchyroll/Funimation; global subscriber growth; theatrical releases; expanded localization; e-commerce integration
- Governance Model: Purini steers operations and content strategy, working under oversight from Sony Pictures and in close content collaboration with Aniplex.
Rahul Purini: Background and Role
Rahul Purini took the helm in May 2022, following the merger between Crunchyroll and Funimation. Before that, he spent seven years as Chief Operating Officer at both companies. He joined Funimation in 2015, overseeing operations, e-commerce, content programming, and analytics. His deep operational experience made him a natural fit to lead the unified anime streaming brand.
In his current position, Purini oversees every aspect of Crunchyroll. He directs global expansion, content deals, theatrical film releases, localization initiatives (including dubs in five new languages), merchandising, and anime awards. Under his leadership, Crunchyroll has grown from about 14 million to over 15 million paid subscribers across 200+ countries.
Vision and Strategic Initiatives
Purini’s vision extends beyond streaming. He champions Crunchyroll as a 360-degree anime ecosystem—anchoring streaming, theatrical distribution, mobile gaming, live events, merchandise, and immersive experiences. He led the acquisition of Right Stuf (a major anime e-commerce retailer) and introduced subtitling and dubbing programs with AI-enhanced workflows.
Purini also initiated Crunchyroll’s first theatrical distribution deals, including Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO and Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume, both gaining global success and award recognition.
Decision-Making Structure
While Purini leads strategy and execution, decision-making is shared with Sony and Aniplex executives. As President, he coordinates closely with Sony Pictures Entertainment on streaming platforms and branding.
On content, he collaborates with Aniplex — especially around original anime production and licensing. This multi-layer governance ensures Crunchyroll aligns with Sony’s broader entertainment vision while retaining its anime-focused identity.
Previous Leadership
Before Purini, Colin Decker served as Crunchyroll’s CEO from 2019 to April 2022. He guided the company through its early integration under Sony and oversaw its rapid international expansion, reaching over 5 million subscribers before transitioning out.
Prior to Decker, the company’s independent era was led by founder Kun Gao, who headed Crunchyroll until acquisition by The Chernin Group in 2013.
Crunchyroll Annual Revenue and Net Worth
Crunchyroll’s 2025 revenue reaches around $565 million, boosted by its 17 million paid subscribers and thriving e‑commerce arm. Its net worth, as of July 2025, is around $1.35 billion. Its growing profitability is a key driver of Sony’s anime-led entertainment strategy.

Annual Revenue
Crunchyroll’s estimated annual revenue in 2025 is approximately $565 million, reflecting consistent year‑over‑year growth fueled by its expanding subscriber base and diversified monetisation strategies. The platform reported a strong increase in streaming revenue in 2024, which extended into 2025.
Alongside subscriptions, significant income from advertising, licensing agreements, merchandise, gaming, and theatrical releases contributed to this total.
A notable contributor to revenue was Crunchyroll’s online store. In 2024, it generated $59 million in sales, and forecasts indicate a further 15–20% growth in 2025. This marks a strategic shift toward e‑commerce and branded merchandise, aiding its financial resilience.
Subscriber Base and Monetization
In 2025, Crunchyroll serves over 17 million paid subscribers, up from 15 million in 2024. The total registered user base exceeds 120 million. The company offers multiple subscription tiers—from ad-supported free plans to premium options with additional features like offline viewing and exclusive content.
Beyond subscriptions, Crunchyroll earns from advertising on the free tier, content licensing, theatrical distribution of anime films, in‑platform gaming initiatives, and affiliate partnerships, creating a robust, multi‑stream revenue model.
Net Worth and Valuation
As of July 2025, the estimated net worth of Crunchyroll is well above $1.35 billion. It’s net worth is closely tied to its acquisition value and its continued financial performance.
Sony completed the acquisition in August 2021 for $1.175 billion. Its implied valuation remains above that level, supported by its growing revenues, content pipeline, and strategic value to Sony.
Third-party estimates occasionally suggest a lower standalone net worth, but these figures lack reliability. The most credible valuation remains the purchase price, which positions Crunchyroll as a billion‑dollar asset within Sony’s entertainment portfolio.
Here is an overview of historical revenue and estimated net worth of Crunchyroll over the past 10 years (2015–2025):
Year | Estimated Annual Revenue | Estimated Net Worth |
---|---|---|
2015 | $60 million | $300 million |
2016 | $80 million | $400 million |
2017 | $100 million | $500 million |
2018 | $120 million | $600 million |
2019 | $150 million | $700 million |
2020 | $250 million | $800 million |
2021 | $350 million | $1.175 billion (Sony acquisition) |
2022 | $450 million | $1.2 billion |
2023 | $500 million | $1.25 billion |
2024 | $535 million | $1.3 billion |
2025 | $565 million | $1.35 billion |
Strategic Financial Impact
Crunchyroll has become a major profit driver within Sony’s entertainment division. Industry analysis suggests that anime business—including Crunchyroll and related ventures—could contribute 35–40% of Sony Pictures’ operating profit over the next few years.
With continued investments—such as theatrical releases, AI dubbing, original anime projects, and new digital manga offerings—the platform is poised to strengthen its financial trajectory.
Brands Owned by Crunchyroll
As of 2025, Crunchyroll operates a vertically integrated anime business. It spans streaming, game publishing, merchandising, theatrical releases, fan events, dubbing, and editorial coverage—all under a single brand identity. This multi-layered structure gives Crunchyroll strategic control over how anime is created, marketed, sold, and consumed on a global scale.
Here’s a list of the major brands owned by Crunchyroll as of 2025:
Name | Type | Role/Function | Year Established/Acquired | Current Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Crunchyroll Store | E-commerce platform | Sells anime merchandise, Blu-rays, apparel, collectibles | 2017 | Active, expanded globally |
Crunchyroll Games | Game publishing division | Publishes anime-based mobile and browser games; operates Crunchyroll Game Vault | 2018 | Active |
Crunchyroll Expo | Fan convention | Organizes annual anime conventions in the U.S. and regional events worldwide | 2017 | Active, expanded to Brazil & Germany |
Crunchyroll Originals | Anime production label | Co-produces and finances exclusive anime series | 2020 | Active with growing portfolio |
Crunchyroll Localization | Sub and dub division | Manages subtitles, dubbing, translation, and voice localization | Internal (pre-2020) | Active, AI-enhanced in 2025 |
Right Stuf (integrated) | E-commerce acquisition | Former anime retailer, now merged into Crunchyroll Store | Acquired in 2022 | Fully merged in 2023 |
VRV (discontinued) | Streaming aggregation platform | Bundled niche streaming services alongside Crunchyroll | Launched 2016, shut down 2023 | Discontinued |
Crunchyroll Theatrical | Film distribution division | Handles global theatrical releases of anime movies | 2022 | Active in 40+ countries |
Crunchyroll News | Editorial and fan engagement | Publishes anime news, announcements, features, and industry insights | 2015 (relaunched multiple times) | Active, integrates with events |
Crunchyroll Manga | Digital manga service | Offers selected manga titles digitally for premium subscribers | 2013 | Limited, curated catalog |
Crunchyroll Store
The Crunchyroll Store is the company’s official e-commerce platform, offering anime-related merchandise, apparel, Blu-rays, collectibles, and exclusive items. It serves as a major revenue stream, generating over $59 million in annual sales by 2024. In 2025, the store expanded to serve Europe and Latin America, offering regionally localized experiences and seasonal drops. The store features partnerships with both anime studios and independent creators, allowing Crunchyroll to act as a global anime merchandise hub.
Crunchyroll Games
Crunchyroll Games is a division launched in 2018 to publish and distribute mobile and browser-based games inspired by popular anime IPs. It handles licensing, localization, marketing, and community management for titles targeting global anime fans. Games like Princess Connect! Re:Dive, Mitrasphere, and Street Fighter: Duel were part of its lineup. In 2025, Crunchyroll Games launched its new Game Vault, a premium game library for Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscribers. The initiative positions the company closer to platforms like Netflix Games by offering curated access to mobile RPGs and anime-based titles.
Crunchyroll Expo
Crunchyroll Expo is the company’s flagship anime convention held annually in the U.S. It brings together fans, creators, voice actors, and studio representatives for panels, previews, merchandise, and cosplay. Launched in 2017, the event paused during the pandemic but resumed in 2023 as a hybrid event. In 2025, Crunchyroll Expo expanded into regional versions in Brazil and Germany, tapping into the platform’s international user base.
Crunchyroll Originals
Crunchyroll Originals is the in-house production label responsible for co-producing and financing original anime series. Launched in 2020, it marked Crunchyroll’s move from distributor to content creator. Titles include Tower of God, The God of High School, Noblesse, and FreakAngels. The Originals brand allows Crunchyroll to secure exclusive global streaming rights while also participating in anime production committees. As of 2025, several Originals are in their second or third seasons, and Crunchyroll is co-financing new IPs in collaboration with Japanese studios.
Crunchyroll Dubs and Sub Localization
While not a brand on its own, Crunchyroll’s localization division operates as a full-fledged entity within the company. It handles dubbing, subtitling, translation, and voice casting in over 12 languages. In 2024 and 2025, the company adopted AI-assisted subtitling to speed up global release timelines while maintaining quality through human review. Dubbed releases are now available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Arabic, and more.
Right Stuf (now integrated)
Right Stuf, a long-running anime and manga distributor and e-commerce platform, was acquired by Crunchyroll in 2022. Initially operated as a separate brand, it was fully merged into Crunchyroll Store by 2023. The integration brought thousands of manga volumes, DVDs, and collector items into the Crunchyroll ecosystem, significantly enhancing the depth of its retail offerings.
Crunchyroll Movie and Theatrical Distribution
Crunchyroll operates a theatrical distribution division, responsible for bringing anime films to cinemas globally. Since 2022, this division has distributed major titles like Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Suzume, Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO, and Spy x Family: Code White. It handles partnerships with theaters, local marketing, translations, and licensing for global screening. By 2025, this arm operates in over 40 countries and is expected to expand into IMAX distribution partnerships in Asia and Europe.
Crunchyroll News and Editorial
Crunchyroll News is the platform’s editorial and community-facing entity. It provides official updates, cast interviews, anime announcements, release calendars, fan polls, and coverage of industry trends. The news team also maintains a presence at conventions, conducts fan events, and hosts social media livestreams. The goal is to keep fans engaged while driving traffic back to the streaming and merchandise platforms.
Crunchyroll Manga (limited)
While not as extensive as the video service, Crunchyroll Manga offers a small but curated digital manga library. Subscribers to certain tiers gain access to selected manga titles, especially those tied to Crunchyroll Originals. Though its catalog is smaller than dedicated platforms like Shonen Jump+, the manga service helps drive fan interest in newer IPs and offers early chapters or companion volumes to anime series on the platform.
Conclusion
Crunchyroll is no longer just a niche anime website. It has transformed into a global entertainment powerhouse owned by Sony Group Corporation. Through strategic acquisitions and a unified anime vision, Crunchyroll now plays a central role in how anime is consumed and celebrated worldwide. Its ownership by Sony gives it the scale, funding, and network needed to shape the future of anime streaming, gaming, and merchandise.
FAQs
Is Disney buying Crunchyroll?
No, Disney is not buying Crunchyroll. As of 2025, Crunchyroll is fully owned by Sony Group Corporation through Sony Pictures and Aniplex. There are no announced plans for a Disney acquisition.
Has Netflix bought Crunchyroll?
No, Netflix has not bought Crunchyroll. The two platforms are competitors in the anime streaming space. Crunchyroll remains under Sony’s ownership.
Is Crunchyroll a public company?
No, Crunchyroll is not a publicly traded company. It is a private subsidiary fully owned by Sony and does not have its own stock or public shares.
Does Google own Crunchyroll?
No, Google does not own Crunchyroll. The company is owned by Sony, not affiliated with Google, Alphabet, or any of its subsidiaries.
Why did Funimation shut down?
Funimation shut down as a brand in 2022 after Sony merged it with Crunchyroll. The move was part of Sony’s plan to unify its anime streaming services under one global brand—Crunchyroll.
Is Crunchyroll owned by Sony?
Yes, Crunchyroll is 100% owned by Sony Group Corporation. Sony acquired the company from WarnerMedia in 2021.
Who owned Crunchyroll before Sony?
Before Sony, Crunchyroll was owned by AT&T’s WarnerMedia. Prior to that, it was part of Otter Media, a joint venture between AT&T and The Chernin Group.
Where’s Crunchyroll headquarters?
Crunchyroll’s headquarters is located in San Francisco, California, United States.
Where is Crunchyroll based?
Crunchyroll is based in the United States, with its main office in San Francisco and additional operations in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Paris, and other global cities.
Was Funimation bought by Crunchyroll?
No, Funimation was not bought by Crunchyroll. Instead, Sony already owned Funimation and later acquired Crunchyroll. Sony then merged Funimation into Crunchyroll in 2022.
Who owns Crunchyroll and Funimation?
Both Crunchyroll and Funimation are owned by Sony Group Corporation. However, the Funimation brand has been phased out, and all operations now continue under the Crunchyroll name.
When did Crunchyroll become legit?
Crunchyroll became a fully legitimate streaming platform in 2009, after securing legal licensing agreements with Japanese anime studios and removing unauthorized content.
When did Sony buy Crunchyroll?
Sony announced the acquisition of Crunchyroll in December 2020 and completed the deal in August 2021, purchasing it from WarnerMedia for $1.175 billion.
What company owns Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll is owned by Sony Group Corporation, through Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex, a Sony Music subsidiary.
Who is Crunchyroll owned by now?
Crunchyroll is owned by Sony Group Corporation, managed through Sony Pictures and Aniplex.
Did AT&T own Crunchyroll?
Yes. AT&T, through WarnerMedia, owned Crunchyroll before selling it to Sony in 2021.
Is Crunchyroll Japanese or American?
Crunchyroll was founded in the United States but is now owned by Sony, a Japanese conglomerate.
How much did Sony pay for Crunchyroll?
Sony acquired Crunchyroll for $1.175 billion in an all-cash deal from AT&T’s WarnerMedia.