FIRST-EVER ANIME THOUGHT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT, CRUNCHYROLL ANIME FUTURE FORUM, UNVEILS FIRST SLATE OF KEYNOTES, SPEAKERS AND PROGRAMMING

Japan’s Anime Industry and Creators Converge with Global Entertainment, Tech and Gaming Leaders for First Thought Leadership on October 7 in New York - Industry Leaders from BONES, MAPPA, Shueisha, TOHO, Aniplex Confirmed as Well as Filmmakers Guillermo del Toro and James Gunn; Anime Super Fans Amber Glenn, Big Sean and Jordan Howlett; Creative Team Behind “Spider-Verse” Set to Speak

Earlier this year, Crunchyroll, the global home of anime, announced the inaugural thought leadership event that convenes anime industry leaders at a moment when anime is evolving faster than ever. Today, the first slate of keynote speakers and some programming Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum has been announced

In addition to Sony Group executives hosting the event, figures from leading companies in the anime industry including Shueisha, TOHO, MAPPA, Aniplex, and more are confirmed to participate, joining leaders across Hollywood, technology, gaming, and retail. Confirmed industry speakers include Yuta Momiyama, Jump Plus Editor-In-Chief (Digital Manager), SHUEISHA Inc., Taichi Ueda, film producer and Executive Officer, TOHO Co., Ltd,; Manabu Otsuka, President & CEO, MAPPA Co., Ltd.; and Atsuhiro Iwakami, President and Representative Director, Group CEO of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and Chairman of Aniplex Inc.

Legendary filmmaker and anime and manga fan Guillermo del Toro is confirmed.

James Gunn, award-winning filmmaker whose distinctive style has been influenced by anime, is also confirmed.

Olympic gold medalist figure skater Amber Glenn; multi-platinum artist and author Big Sean and celebrity content creator Jordan Howlett, all anime superfans, have also confirmed their participation. The directors of the upcoming 2027 animated sequel, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, from Sony Pictures Animation, Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson, are also scheduled to appear at a panel moderated by Sony Pictures Animation President Kristine Belson.

The day will begin with opening remarks by President and CEO of Sony Group Corporation, Hiroki Totoki, continue with midday comments by Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ravi Ahuja, and close with observations and news from Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini.

The theme of the one-day event is “Designing for Anime’s Future,” and will address four key topics: fandom, technology, storytelling, and IP protection. Programming tracks for Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum will also include sessions on “Transmedia Storytelling: Bridging Gaming, Live Action & Anime Fandoms,” “The Evolution of the Theatrical Experience,” “From Page to Platform: The Future of Manga” and “The Influencers Shaping Anime: Voices, Vision & Viral Power.”

The one-day event on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, held adjacent to New York Comic Con at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, will be attended by more than 400 industry leaders and is by invitation only. The forum is intended to open doors to the future of anime – sparking new alliances and fostering creative discussion among established and emerging leaders, creatives, and executives from Japan and around the world, recognizing anime’s future state. From animation studios, distributors, creators, artists, and voices from Japan, to counterparts across the globe in television, film, music, gaming, technology, merchandising, and more, the focus is singular – where is anime going and how can those assembled shape its future.

–PRESS RELEASE–