Crunchyroll bets on Shinkai's name alone.

Published: 2026-08-13T03:39:13.607Z

Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures have locked global distribution rights to Makoto Shinkai's next film, before its title or plot is even public. That's a preemptive grab for anime's biggest theatrical bra

Why it matters: Watch for how Crunchyroll's streaming window syncs with Sony's theatrical push, the timing will set the template for future anime blockbusters.

Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/crunchyroll-sony-makoto-shinkai-next-film-global-release-1236671844/

From AnimeSignal, the anime business intelligence brief.