Sony Launches Crunchyroll Storyworks for Anime and Live-Action Adaptations

Sony's anime service Crunchyroll has launched a new division, Crunchyroll Storyworks, dedicated to anime and live-action adaptations developed in collaboration with Japan's creative ecosystem.

Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja announced the division Wednesday at Sony's inaugural Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum.

Who leads Crunchyroll Storyworks?

Tohru Iokibe, who most recently oversaw IP acceleration initiatives connecting Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions, will head the new division. Iokibe will report to Crunchyroll's chief content officer, Asa Suehira.

Storyworks will bring together creative partners across four units:

• Crunchyroll
• Aniplex
• Japan's creative community
• Sony Pictures, the studio behind "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse"

The goal is to develop anime stories for audiences around the world.

What will the division actually do?

According to Sony, Crunchyroll Storyworks will adapt global stories into anime and adapt Japanese anime into live action. The division will partner closely with Japanese creators to preserve and center the original creative vision.

Storyworks will operate within Crunchyroll's content group. It will also expand the pipeline of greenlight-ready projects for HAYATE, Crunchyroll's joint venture with Aniplex.

What did Sony executives say?

"Anime has become a global cultural force because it has been shaped over decades by the creators, studios and publishers who have nurtured and developed its distinctive storytelling and unforgettable characters," Ahuja said at the announcement.

"As anime grows, we have a responsibility to protect and amplify what makes it special while always keeping creators' visions at the center. That's the goal of Storyworks," Ahuja added.

Suehira emphasized the division's role as a connector between Japan and international storytellers. "Anime has captured the imagination of fans around the world because of the extraordinary creativity, originality and boldness of Japanese storytellers," Suehira said.

"Storyworks will build a creative bridge between Japan and storytellers around the world — one that protects what makes these stories distinctive while creating new possibilities for creators and new ways for fans to experience the stories they love," Suehira said.

Iokibe framed the mission in terms of respect for source material. "There is tremendous opportunity in bringing world-class stories, creators and audiences together across cultures and formats," Iokibe said.

"The best adaptations begin with respect for the original work, and it's a privilege to help these exceptional stories reach even more fans around the world," Iokibe added.

Why does this matter for the anime business?

The launch signals Sony's intention to consolidate its anime operations — spanning Crunchyroll, Aniplex and Sony Pictures — into a single adaptation pipeline serving both anime and live-action formats. With HAYATE, the joint venture with Aniplex, positioned to receive an expanded slate of greenlight-ready projects, Storyworks gives Sony a structured bridge between Japanese creators and global franchises, at a moment when anime's international audience continues to grow.