Crunchyroll is bringing together some of the biggest names from the anime, manga and Hollywood industries for its first-ever Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum, an invitation-only industry summit focused on where the anime industry is heading next.
The event will take place on October 7, 2026, in New York, just one day before New York Comic Con begins at the same venue.
And the guest list is already turning heads.
Among the first announced speakers are Hollywood filmmakers Guillermo del Toro and James Gunn, alongside senior executives from some of Japan’s biggest anime and manga companies, including MAPPA, Toho, Shueisha and Aniplex.
James Gunn and Guillermo del Toro Join Japan’s Anime Heavyweights
The first group of speakers includes some major figures from across the entertainment industry.
Manabu Otsuka, President and CEO of MAPPA, will represent one of Japan’s most prominent animation studios, while Taichi Ueda, an executive officer at Toho, will also participate.
From Shueisha, Yuta Momiyama, the editor-in-chief overseeing the digital side of Shonen Jump+, will join the forum.
Meanwhile, Atsuhiro Iwakami, President of Sony Music Entertainment Japan and Chairman of Aniplex, is also among the announced participants.
Hollywood’s presence will be represented by Guillermo del Toro and James Gunn, bringing two major Western filmmakers into a discussion alongside executives directly involved in Japan’s anime and manga industries.
The event will also feature Kristine Belson, President of Sony Pictures Animation, who will moderate a panel with Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson, the directors of the upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
What Will Crunchyroll’s Anime Future Forum Discuss?
The one-day event is being held under the theme “Designing for Anime’s Future.”
Rather than focusing exclusively on animation itself, the forum will explore how anime is evolving across the wider entertainment industry.
Planned discussions will cover topics including:
- The future of anime fandom
- Technology and anime
- Storytelling
- Intellectual property protection
- Transmedia storytelling
- Anime, gaming and live-action
- The changing theatrical experience
- The future of manga
- The role of influencers in expanding anime fandom
This makes the event broader than a traditional anime industry panel.
Crunchyroll is essentially bringing together people from different parts of entertainment to discuss how anime can continue expanding across different formats and audiences.
Fans Are Already Reacting to Hollywood’s Involvement
While the forum is primarily an industry event, its announcement has already sparked plenty of discussion among anime fans online.
The presence of James Gunn, in particular, has attracted criticism from some fans who are worried about greater Western involvement in Japanese anime and manga.
Some reactions have gone as far as questioning whether increased involvement from Hollywood could eventually lead to Japanese works being changed or softened to better suit Western audiences.
Concerns about censorship, localization and the possibility of anime losing some of the qualities that make Japanese entertainment distinctive have also appeared in the online discussion.
However, these are fan concerns and reactions, rather than announced plans for the forum.
The actual event is scheduled to cover a much broader range of topics, from technology and storytelling to manga, theatrical releases and intellectual property.
Sony Sees Anime as a Major Growth Opportunity
The forum also comes as Sony continues to place significant importance on anime as part of its wider entertainment strategy.
Sony first announced plans for the Anime Future Forum in May, describing anime as an important growth sector for the company.
The event is also intended to strengthen relationships between Japanese publishers and creators and partners from other areas of the entertainment industry.
Crunchyroll’s continued growth is a major part of that strategy.
The company had surpassed 21 million paid subscribers worldwide by the end of March, highlighting just how much the anime streaming service has expanded beyond its original niche.
More Than 400 Industry Figures Expected
Crunchyroll says that more than 400 industry figures are expected to attend the forum.
The event will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York on October 7, immediately before New York Comic Con takes over the same venue from October 8 to October 11.
Sony Group President and CEO Hiroki Totoki will deliver the opening remarks, while Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja will also speak during the event.
Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini will close the forum with his own remarks and news.
The event will also include perspectives from outside the traditional anime industry, with Olympic gold medalist figure skater Amber Glenn, rapper and author Big Sean, and content creator Jordan Howlett participating from a fan perspective.
Crunchyroll Wants to Help Shape Anime’s Next Era
The first Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum comes at a time when anime has become a truly global entertainment industry.
Japanese studios and publishers are increasingly working with companies across streaming, gaming, film and other entertainment sectors, while anime itself continues to reach audiences far beyond Japan.
Bringing executives from MAPPA, Toho, Shueisha and Aniplex together with Hollywood filmmakers and major Sony executives shows just how broad that conversation has become.
Whether fans are excited or concerned about Hollywood’s growing presence, one thing is clear: Crunchyroll wants to be part of the conversation about what anime looks like in the years ahead.
And with more than 400 industry figures expected to attend, the October 7 forum could become an important gathering for the global anime business. Bookmark Otaku Mantra for more anime news, industry updates and everything happening around the world of Japanese entertainment!
Source: THR
