Crunchyroll launches Storyworks for anime and live-action adaptations

Crunchyroll has launched Crunchyroll Storyworks, a new division to develop anime and live-action adaptations with Japan's creative ecosystem.

Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja announced the unit at Sony's inaugural Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum, Variety reported on 7 October 2026. It was the first edition of the forum. The new organisation will operate within Crunchyroll's content group, the team that oversees programming.

The brief runs in two directions. Storyworks will adapt global stories into anime, a style of Japanese animation with a worldwide audience. Anime typically combines detailed artwork with serial storytelling across episodes and films. It will also adapt Japanese anime into live action, meaning versions filmed with actors on physical sets. Development will happen with Japanese studios and creators, rather than at a distance.

The division will be led by Sony executive Tohru Iokibe. He most recently oversaw IP acceleration initiatives connecting Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions. IP, or intellectual property, is the industry term for characters, games and stories that can move from one screen to another. He will report to Crunchyroll chief content officer Asa Suehira, who oversees content strategy.

Storyworks will also expand the pipeline for HAYATE, the joint venture run by Crunchyroll and Aniplex. A joint venture means a company jointly owned by two partners, who share costs and decisions. Aniplex and Crunchyroll established HAYATE in 2025 to plan and produce anime, according to Sony. That pipeline is the industry word for the slate of projects moving from idea toward production.

Sony has previously pointed to its anime streaming service Crunchyroll as a growth driver as anime goes global, Reuters reported. Streaming services live on fresh supply. Without new titles in development, there is nothing to animate, shoot or release. A dedicated adaptations team gives Crunchyroll a direct supply route, and decides where sustained labour goes for writers, animators and live-action crews.

What makes this stand out is the joining up. One team covers both routes, from page to anime and from anime to set. No titles have been announced yet. For viewers, that development stage is early. Writing, design and casting come later, once projects are chosen. The next detail to watch is which projects enter development first.