Key Stats
Crunchyroll serves over 17 million paid subscribers across 200+ countries and territories as of 2025.
Sony Group Corporation acquired the platform for $1.175 billion in August 2021.
The streaming service generated approximately $565 million in annual revenue during 2025.
Crunchyroll merged with Funimation in 2022, consolidating anime streaming under one brand.
Sony Group Corporation owns Crunchyroll entirely, having acquired the platform from WarnerMedia in August 2021 for $1.175 billion. The Japanese conglomerate manages operations through Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex, positioning itself as the dominant force in global anime distribution.
Founded in 2006 as a fan-driven site, Crunchyroll transformed into the largest legal anime streaming service worldwide. Sony now operates it as a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem encompassing streaming, theatrical distribution, merchandise, and gaming.
Headquarters remains in San Francisco with offices in Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Paris. The platform provides simultaneous streaming of anime episodes with Japanese broadcasts, offering subtitled content within hours of original airing.
Who Owns Crunchyroll?
Current Ownership Structure
Sony Group Corporation maintains full ownership through its entertainment subsidiaries. The platform operates as part of Sony’s Global Anime Business, reporting to Sony Pictures Entertainment.
This structure gives Sony complete authority over content strategy, pricing, and international expansion. Decision-making flows through established corporate channels without external stakeholder influence.
Subsidiary Management Framework
Sony Pictures Entertainment manages business operations including subscriber acquisition and technological infrastructure. Aniplex handles anime production coordination and studio relationships.
This dual oversight allows Sony to control both distribution and content creation. The company coordinates licensing negotiations with Japanese studios while maintaining platform development.
Integration Into Sony Ecosystem
Following the AT&T WarnerMedia sale, Sony merged Funimation into Crunchyroll in 2022, eliminating internal competition. The company discontinued VRV in 2023, streamlining all operations under Crunchyroll exclusively.
Largest Shareholders of Crunchyroll
Private Ownership Status
Crunchyroll does not trade publicly, meaning investors cannot purchase shares directly. The platform operates as a fully integrated unit within Sony without minority stakeholders or external partners.
All decisions flow through Sony’s executive leadership. The company reports financials as part of Sony’s broader entertainment segment rather than as a standalone entity.
Sony Group Corporation Shareholder Composition
Sony trades publicly on Tokyo and New York exchanges under ticker SONY. The Master Trust Bank of Japan maintains the largest institutional position at 12.3%, managing retirement and pension assets.
Custody Bank of Japan holds 7.8% of shares through similar arrangements. These Japanese financial institutions serve as custodians for domestic institutional investors.
International Institutional Investors
BlackRock represents the largest Western shareholder in Sony at 5.2%. The firm holds Sony shares across index funds and portfolios, similar to positions in Apple and Amazon.
Vanguard Group controls 4.6% of Sony shares. These firms manage passive investment vehicles tracking major indices.
While unable to directly dictate Crunchyroll operations, their perspectives on entertainment investments affect Sony resource allocation. The remaining 70.1% consists of retail investors and smaller institutional holders.
Sony Group Major Shareholders
Governance and Control
Decision authority resides within Sony’s management hierarchy. Crunchyroll’s president reports to Sony Pictures Entertainment executives, who coordinate with Aniplex on content investments.
This ensures alignment with Sony’s entertainment strategy while allowing operational flexibility. The structure mirrors other wholly-owned Sony subsidiaries.
History of Crunchyroll Co-founders
The Founding Team
Four University of California, Berkeley graduates established Crunchyroll in 2006. Kun Gao served as original chief executive, leading through its controversial early phase.
James Lin, Brandon Ooi, and Vu Nguyen completed the founding quartet, contributing technical expertise for the streaming infrastructure. The team operated from a small apartment initially.
Legal Transition Period
Initially operating as a fan-uploaded repository for Asian entertainment, the platform attracted millions despite hosting unlicensed material. Between 2008 and 2009, venture funding from Venrock enabled a strategic pivot.
Management removed unauthorized content and negotiated licensing agreements with Japanese studios, transforming into a legitimate streaming service. This shift proved essential for long-term viability.
Ownership Changes
Gao led until 2013 when The Chernin Group acquired Crunchyroll through Otter Media. The platform later became part of Time Warner holdings before Sony’s purchase.
The founders exited operations following the Chernin acquisition. Embracing legal licensing allowed the platform to secure partnerships with major anime studios.
Crunchyroll Ownership Timeline
Who is on the Board of Directors for Crunchyroll?
Executive Leadership Structure
Crunchyroll operates without an independent board, functioning as a private subsidiary. Rahul Purini serves as President with chief executive authority, reporting to Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex.
The company maintains a flat organizational structure. Senior executives manage specialized divisions while coordinating with Sony’s broader entertainment strategy.
President and Chief Executive
Rahul Purini assumed leadership in May 2022 after seven years as Chief Operating Officer at Crunchyroll and Funimation. His appointment followed the platform merger.
With 25+ years in digital strategy, Purini joined Funimation in 2015, overseeing operations and analytics. Under his direction, subscribers expanded from 14 million to over 17 million across 200+ territories.
Purini initiated theatrical distribution for major anime films and acquired Right Stuf, integrating it into Crunchyroll Store. His background includes positions at Yahoo and Fox Interactive Media.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Oversight
Tony Vinciquerra serves as Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, providing strategic oversight. Vinciquerra joined in 2017 from Fox Networks and CBS.
Ravi Ahuja, President of Sony Pictures, manages operational coordination. His background includes roles at Warner Bros and Disney.
Aniplex Production Leadership
Atsuhiro Iwakami serves as Aniplex President, coordinating anime partnerships and licensing. Aniplex participates in production committees for exclusive series, giving it significant influence over content pipeline.
The company maintains regular coordination meetings between Crunchyroll and Aniplex teams. This ensures alignment on content acquisition priorities and release schedules.
Strategic Advisory Teams
Senior leadership positions manage content acquisition, technology, marketing, and international operations. Content teams negotiate simulcast rights with Japanese studios.
Technology leaders focus on platform infrastructure and video delivery optimization. Marketing coordinates promotional campaigns and social media engagement.
This structure allows specialized expertise while maintaining clear reporting to Purini and Sony Pictures. The organization scales operations across multiple time zones and markets.
FAQ
Does Disney own Crunchyroll?
No, Disney does not own Crunchyroll. Sony Group Corporation owns the platform completely through its Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex subsidiaries. Disney operates competing streaming services.
Is Crunchyroll publicly traded?
Crunchyroll is not publicly traded. The platform operates as a private subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, which itself trades publicly on stock exchanges in Tokyo and New York.
When did Sony acquire Crunchyroll?
Sony completed its acquisition of Crunchyroll in August 2021, purchasing the company from AT&T’s WarnerMedia division for $1.175 billion[1] following regulatory approvals.
Who owned Crunchyroll before Sony purchased it?
WarnerMedia, a division of AT&T, owned Crunchyroll immediately before Sony’s acquisition. Previously, The Chernin Group acquired the platform in 2013 through its Otter Media venture.
What happened to Funimation after Sony bought Crunchyroll?
Sony merged Funimation into Crunchyroll during 2022, consolidating subscribers and content catalogs under the Crunchyroll brand. The Funimation name was discontinued, and operations unified completely.
