Anime Expo is ‘Super Bowl’ for Crunchyroll and Anime Lovers: Q&A

The growing popularity of anime content and the intense fandom surrounding it were on full display in downtown Los Angeles over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Approximately 100,000 fans gathered at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the start of Anime Expo, one of the largest annual fan gatherings in the world.

One major player in the anime sector is Sony Pictures Entertainment, which owns Crunchyroll, a subscription streaming platform and content brand. Crunchyroll is a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan.

With such a significant investment in anime, Crunchyroll and Sony cannot afford to miss the four-day Anime Expo event in Los Angeles. This event is second only in size to AnimeJapan, which drew over 150,000 fans in Tokyo in March.

For Crunchyroll, Anime Expo provides a prime opportunity to promote new projects to fans and to connect with anime creators, producers, distributors, licensors, brand partners, vendors, and other suppliers crucial to their operations.

Mitchel Berger, executive VP of global commerce for Crunchyroll, emphasized that the growth of Anime Expo reflects the rise of anime as both a lifestyle and an art form. The attendees at the event showcased their passion for anime through their elaborate cosplay outfits and tattoos.

Anime Expo originated from an event launched by anime enthusiasts at UC Berkeley in 1991 and has since grown significantly. The event has been held in various locations in Southern California before settling at the L.A. Convention Center in 2008. Attendance reached 100,000 in 2016, according to Anime Expo.

Berger, who spent years in sales at Universal Pictures Home Entertainment before joining Crunchyroll, described Anime Expo as their annual Super Bowl. He highlighted the unique storytelling and fandom surrounding anime, emphasizing that anime is its own medium with a dedicated fan base.

At Anime Expo, Crunchyroll aims to provide fans with an authentic experience that celebrates their love for anime. The event also allows them to connect with their Japanese partners and licensors, enabling them to witness firsthand how fans react to their content.

Overall, Anime Expo serves as a significant platform for Crunchyroll to engage with fans, showcase new projects, and strengthen partnerships within the anime industry. The event highlights the passion and creativity of anime fans from around the world, making it a must-attend event for anyone involved in the anime community. You can take your friends, you can take your family, and you can have an experience together. And I think that’s what’s exciting about it. It’s bringing that community together in a different way. And it’s also just a celebration of the medium itself. Anime is such a visual medium, it’s so beautiful. And when you see it on a big screen, it’s just an incredible experience.

What’s next for Crunchyroll in terms of expanding its reach? Are there any untapped markets or mediums that you’re looking to explore?

We’re always looking to grow. We’re always looking to find new audiences. You know, the world of anime is constantly expanding. We’re already in a lot of countries. And I think our focus is just continuing to bring the best content that we can to fans, continuing to listen to them, and continuing to innovate. We want to make sure that we’re always on the cutting edge of technology, on the cutting edge of what fans are looking for. So we’re always looking at new mediums, new ways to engage with them. And I think that’s what’s exciting about being in this space. There’s always something new, there’s always something to look forward to.

As the event wraps up, what’s your biggest takeaway from Anime Expo this year?

My biggest takeaway is just the energy and the passion of the fans. It’s always incredible to see. It’s always incredible to be reminded of why we do what we do. And I think that’s what’s so special about Anime Expo. It’s a celebration of everything that we love about anime. And it’s just a reminder of the incredible community that we’re a part of. And I can’t wait to see what’s next for Crunchyroll and for anime in general. It’s an exciting time to be in this industry, and I’m just grateful to be a part of it. Anime is a versatile medium that offers unique storytelling opportunities and a diverse range of genres and themes. It’s not just limited to one type of content, but rather encompasses a wide array of storytelling styles and artistic expressions.

Anime fans are passionate about the medium because it offers them a way to connect with stories and characters that resonate with them on a deep level. The community that surrounds anime is vibrant and diverse, with fans from all walks of life coming together to celebrate their love for this art form.

In recent years, anime has gained mainstream recognition and popularity, with more and more people discovering and appreciating the unique storytelling and artistic qualities that anime has to offer. This growth in popularity has led to collaborations between anime creators and mainstream media outlets, further expanding the reach and impact of anime on a global scale.

As the anime industry continues to evolve and grow, it’s important for Hollywood insiders and creatives to understand and appreciate the depth and complexity of anime as a medium. By embracing anime as a valuable storytelling tool and recognizing its cultural significance, Hollywood can tap into a rich and diverse source of inspiration that can enhance and enrich the entertainment landscape for audiences worldwide.

In conclusion, anime is not just a genre, but a medium that offers endless possibilities for creative expression and storytelling. By embracing and celebrating the unique qualities of anime, Hollywood insiders and creatives can open up new avenues for collaboration and innovation, ultimately enriching the entertainment industry as a whole. Anime is a form of art that has captured the hearts of a young audience with its ability to connect on an emotional level through storytelling. It is a medium that allows creative visions, perspectives, and stories to be shared and resonate with viewers in a profound way. The authenticity of anime is what sets it apart and makes it a beautiful and brilliant art form.

The characters and stories portrayed in anime are relatable and engaging, drawing fans into a world that they want to be a part of. The connection that viewers feel with anime is just as real as any other form of art, and it deserves to be recognized and embraced on the same level as other art forms.

Anime has the power to connect people through the universal language of storytelling. Whether it’s through action-packed adventures, heartfelt romances, or thought-provoking dramas, anime has a story for everyone. The diverse range of genres and themes in anime ensures that there is something for every viewer to enjoy and connect with.

At events like Anime Expo, fans come together to celebrate their love for anime and immerse themselves in a world where creativity knows no bounds. From cosplay to panel discussions, these events showcase the passion and dedication of anime fans who appreciate the art form for its ability to inspire, entertain, and connect people from all walks of life.

In a world where storytelling is a powerful tool for bringing people together, anime stands out as a unique and impactful art form. Its ability to touch hearts, spark imaginations, and create lasting memories is why anime continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. So let’s embrace and celebrate anime for the beautiful art form that it is, and recognize its place alongside other forms of storytelling that connect us all.