Black Clover anime rights and licensing: who owns what
The Black Clover anime is a Shueisha-TV Tokyo-Pierrot production committee property, with Crunchyroll holding the exclusive streaming rights to the sequel season.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: The Black Clover anime is produced by Studio Pierrot and credited to Yuki Tabata, Shueisha, TV Tokyo, and the Black Clover Project under the copyright notice used for the sequel season. Crunchyroll announced at Anime Expo 2025 that the new Black Clover season will stream exclusively on its platform. Viz Media publishes the English-language manga and lists the Black Clover copyright as held by Yuki Tabata and Shueisha.
Who owns the Black Clover anime?
The Black Clover anime is a production-committee property. Anime Corner's report on the sequel season uses the copyright line BLACK CLOVER ©YUKI TABATA/SHUEISHA,TV TOKYO,BLACK CLOVER PROJECT. The four names reflect the core rights layers: Yuki Tabata created the manga, Shueisha publishes it, TV Tokyo is the broadcast network, and the Black Clover Project is the production committee.
Viz Media's copyrights page lists BLACK CLOVER © 2015 by Yuki Tabata/SHUEISHA Inc., confirming Shueisha's underlying ownership of the manga property. Studio Pierrot is the animation production company for the television series and the returning studio for the sequel season.
How Black Clover is licensed outside Japan
Crunchyroll announced at its Anime Expo 2025 industry panel that the new Black Clover season will stream exclusively on Crunchyroll. Animation Magazine reported the same announcement, noting that Studio Pierrot will produce the series. The original 170-episode run also streamed on Crunchyroll.
Viz Media serves as the English-language publisher for the Black Clover manga in North America. Merchandise, games, and the Sword of the Wizard King film are handled through separate licensing channels.
Publicly disclosed Black Clover rights holders and their roles.| Party | Role | Rights layer |
|---|
| Yuki Tabata / Shueisha | Original manga creator and publisher | Underlying literary and character rights |
| TV Tokyo | Japanese broadcast network | Broadcast and production-committee stake |
| Black Clover Project | Production committee | Investment and rights coordination |
| Studio Pierrot | Animation studio | Animation production |
| Crunchyroll | International streaming licensee | Exclusive streaming for the sequel season |
What the copyright notice does and does not reveal
The copyright line establishes who shares ownership of the animated property, but it does not disclose each party's percentage. Shueisha controls the manga, TV Tokyo provides broadcast and funding, and Pierrot owns the animated production. The exact revenue split and decision-making authority are private.
Because the franchise spans the 2017 to 2021 television series, the 2023 Sword of the Wizard King film, and the announced sequel season, different agreements may govern different eras. The copyright notice is the most reliable public document, but it is not a complete rights map.
Ownership uncertainty note: The exact share each entity holds in the Black Clover production committee is not public. Viz Media's copyright notice and Crunchyroll's sequel-season announcement confirm the key names and North American licensing path, but the underlying legal percentages remain undisclosed.
Why Crunchyroll's exclusive is significant
An exclusive streaming announcement means Crunchyroll is the designated global platform for the sequel season outside Japan. It does not mean Crunchyroll owns the anime outright. Physical media, merchandise, and adaptation rights remain with Shueisha and the production committee.
The practical implication is that fans looking to stream new Black Clover episodes should expect Crunchyroll as the primary outlet, while manga readers rely on Viz Media and rights inquiries flow to Shueisha for the source property.
How Black Clover compares to other Shueisha-Pierrot titles
Like Bleach and Naruto, Black Clover is a long-running Shonen Jump adaptation with a publisher-broadcaster-studio rights triangle. The production-committee structure spreads risk but also divides rights across multiple parties.
The takeaway for licensors is that Shueisha is the gatekeeper for manga-related rights, Pierrot handles animation production, and Crunchyroll is the key streaming partner for new anime episodes outside Japan.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the anime rights to Black Clover?
The Black Clover anime copyright notice lists Yuki Tabata, Shueisha, TV Tokyo, and the Black Clover Project. Pierrot is the animation studio, while Shueisha holds the underlying manga rights.
Who licenses Black Clover for streaming?
Crunchyroll announced at Anime Expo 2025 that the new Black Clover season will stream exclusively on its platform. The original series also streamed on Crunchyroll.
Does Studio Pierrot own Black Clover?
No. Pierrot is the animation production company, but the copyright notice also names Yuki Tabata, Shueisha, TV Tokyo, and the Black Clover Project. Pierrot does not control the underlying manga or full licensing rights.
Who publishes the Black Clover manga in English?
Viz Media publishes the English-language Black Clover manga in North America and lists the series copyright as held by Yuki Tabata and Shueisha.