Max anime distribution and licensing strategy: catalog films over simulcasts
Max, formerly HBO Max, briefly carried a Crunchyroll hub at launch but now approaches anime as a catalog category within a broader film library.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Max licenses anime primarily as curated catalog films rather than through a dedicated anime output or simulcast strategy. At its May 2020 launch as HBO Max, the service included a Crunchyroll hub with 17 anime titles such as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Kill la Kill, and Berserk. That hub was later removed. As of late 2025, Max's anime offering centers on catalog films, including the complete Studio Ghibli collection for U.S. subscribers and a December 2025 addition of four films by Satoshi Kon and Mamoru Hosoda.
How Max first added anime
When HBO Max launched in May 2020, WarnerMedia announced that the service would include anime from Crunchyroll, then a sibling company under AT&T. The launch lineup included 17 titles, with Crunchyroll curating additional content every three months.
The initial titles included Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Kill la Kill, Berserk, Rurouni Kenshin, Your Lie in April, and Keep Your Hands off Eizouken, among others. Later additions included Death Note and Hunter x Hunter.
The end of the Crunchyroll hub
The Crunchyroll hub on HBO Max was removed in early 2022 after Sony completed its acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T. With Crunchyroll no longer under the same corporate umbrella as WarnerMedia, the catalog partnership ended.
This removed Max's most significant anime content block. Since then, Max has not replaced it with a comparable anime hub or output deal.
Max's current anime catalog
As of late 2025, Max's anime strategy is film-led. The service streams the complete Studio Ghibli film collection for U.S. subscribers. In December 2025, Max added Perfect Blue by Satoshi Kon and three films by Mamoru Hosoda: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and Wolf Children.
This is a catalog acquisition approach: license high-quality animated features from established directors and studios rather than compete for seasonal simulcast rights.
Evolution of anime on Max/HBO Max.| Period | Anime approach | Key titles or sources |
|---|
| May 2020 launch | Crunchyroll hub with 17 titles | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Kill la Kill, Berserk |
| Post-launch 2020 | Quarterly curated additions | Death Note, Hunter x Hunter |
| Early 2022 | Crunchyroll hub removed | Following Sony acquisition of Crunchyroll |
| Late 2025 | Catalog films including Studio Ghibli | Perfect Blue, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children |
Catalog versus exclusive distinction
Max does not hold exclusive anime simulcast rights comparable to Crunchyroll or HIDIVE. Its anime titles are catalog films that are also available or have been available through other distributors and platforms.
The Studio Ghibli collection, for example, has appeared on multiple streaming services and digital storefronts. Max's value is convenience within its broader subscription, not exclusivity.
How Max fits in the anime market
Max treats anime as a sub-category of film rather than a strategic vertical. It licenses a small number of critically acclaimed features to round out its movie catalog, but does not commission anime originals or bid aggressively for seasonal series.
This makes Max a secondary destination for anime viewers. Fans looking for current seasonal anime or deep libraries typically use dedicated services such as Crunchyroll, while Max serves viewers who want occasional access to landmark anime films.
Frequently asked questions
Does Max have anime?
Yes, Max licenses anime catalog films, including the Studio Ghibli collection and select titles by directors Satoshi Kon and Mamoru Hosoda.
What happened to Crunchyroll on HBO Max?
The Crunchyroll hub was removed from HBO Max in early 2022 after Sony acquired Crunchyroll from AT&T, ending the corporate relationship that made the hub possible.
Does Max have exclusive anime?
No. Max's anime offerings are catalog films that are generally available through other distributors and platforms.
What anime was on HBO Max at launch?
At launch in May 2020, HBO Max included 17 Crunchyroll titles, including Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Kill la Kill, Berserk, and Your Lie in April.