Who Owns Crunchyroll?

Crunchyroll was founded in 2006 by Kun Gao and Brandon Ooi as a video streaming website for East Asian media, particularly anime and drama. The company initially operated as a fansub site before transitioning to legal streaming partnerships with Japanese anime studios.

Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, Crunchyroll grew rapidly by securing licensing agreements with major anime studios and distributors. The company introduced simulcast streaming, allowing international viewers to watch new anime episodes shortly after their Japanese broadcast.

In 2013, Crunchyroll was acquired by The Chernin Group and Otter Media, providing additional resources for expansion. The company continued to grow its library, adding manga, Asian dramas, and original productions while expanding its global reach.

The pivotal moment came in 2021 when Sony Pictures Entertainment acquired Crunchyroll for $1.175 billion. Sony merged Crunchyroll with Funimation (which Sony had previously acquired) to create the world's largest anime streaming platform with over 5 million subscribers.

Under Sony's ownership, Crunchyroll has continued to expand its content library, improve streaming technology, and strengthen its position as the leading destination for anime fans worldwide.