Blue Lock anime rights and licensing: who owns and distributes the series
Blue Lock's global soccer hit status rests on a production-committee structure that splits licensing by region and by media window.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: The Blue Lock anime is owned by the Blue Lock Production Committee, with the copyright listed as © Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, KODANSHA/BLUE LOCK Production Committee. Eight Bit handles animation production. Bandai Namco Filmworks is responsible for licensing in Asia, while Kodansha manages licensing in Europe, the U.S., and other regions. Crunchyroll streams the series in major overseas markets.
Who owns the anime rights to Blue Lock?
The Blue Lock anime is owned and controlled by the Blue Lock Production Committee. The official English anime website and Kodansha's licensing page both carry the copyright notice © Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, KODANSHA/BLUE LOCK Production Committee.
Eight Bit is the animation production studio for the television series, including Blue Lock VS. U-20 JAPAN, and for the film Blue Lock The Movie -Episode Nagi-. The official site lists 'ANIMATION PRODUCTION EIGHT BIT' and 'PRODUCTION BLUE LOCK PRODUCTION COMMITTEE' in the staff section.
Who licenses Blue Lock around the world?
Bandai Namco Filmworks and Kodansha split international licensing. A November 2024 Bandai Namco Filmworks press release stated that Bandai Namco Filmworks is responsible for licensing in Asia, while Kodansha is responsible for licensing in Europe, the U.S., and other regions.
For streaming, Crunchyroll carries Blue Lock. GamesRadar+ reports that Blue Lock season 2 streamed exclusively on Crunchyroll, with new episodes premiering weekly from October 5, 2024 through December 28, 2024.
Verified Blue Lock rights holders and licensees by function or territory.| Role or territory | Company | Verified source |
|---|
| Rights holder | BLUE LOCK Production Committee | Official anime site / Kodansha Licensing |
| Animation production | Eight Bit | Official anime site staff list |
| Asia licensing | Bandai Namco Filmworks | Bandai Namco Filmworks press release |
| Europe / U.S. / other licensing | Kodansha | Bandai Namco Filmworks press release |
| Overseas streaming | Crunchyroll | GamesRadar+ release schedule |
How the film rights performed globally
Blue Lock The Movie -Episode Nagi- earned more than $23.3 million (3.6 billion yen) at the global box office, according to a Bandai Namco Filmworks and Kodansha announcement. The film was released in over 87 countries and regions, and its international box office revenue surpassed its domestic Japanese revenue as of October 2024.
The same release noted that Blue Lock manga had sold more than 40 million copies worldwide as of August 2024 and won the 45th Kodansha Manga Award in the Juvenile Division.
What the public record leaves out
The official copyright line and press releases do not disclose the full production committee membership, individual revenue shares, or the exact terms of the Crunchyroll streaming agreement. They also do not break down which company holds home-video, music, or merchandising rights in each country.
As with most Japanese anime franchises, the published credits tell licensees and fans who controls the top-level rights, but the underlying contracts remain private.
Ownership uncertainty note: Public sources confirm the Blue Lock Production Committee as the rights holder, Bandai Namco Filmworks for Asia, and Kodansha for Europe and the U.S. The precise committee composition and per-country streaming or merchandise splits are not publicly disclosed.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the anime rights to Blue Lock?
The Blue Lock Production Committee owns the anime rights. The copyright notice is © Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, KODANSHA/BLUE LOCK Production Committee.
Who licenses Blue Lock in the U.S.?
Kodansha handles licensing in Europe, the U.S., and other regions, according to a Bandai Namco Filmworks press release. Crunchyroll streams the series in major overseas markets.
Which studio animates Blue Lock?
Eight Bit animates the Blue Lock TV series and the Episode Nagi film.
Who licenses Blue Lock in Asia?
Bandai Namco Filmworks is responsible for Blue Lock licensing in Asia, per the November 2024 global box-office announcement.