Crunchyroll Gets Amplified; Crunchyroll Adds Music to SVOD Service with Content From Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)

– 10M Subscribers Now Have The Music They Love with Addition of Thousands of Music Videos/Concerts from Artists Known for Anime Collaborations –
– Crunchyroll Partnering with US-Based Sony Music Entertainment (SME) to License SMEJ Content Outside of Japan –

Check out the promotional video here!
Tokyo, Japan (March 4, 2023) – From the classic opening and ending tracks of beloved series to the songs driving the narrative throughout, anime remains a great way for fans to be part of the Japanese music scene. Popular music from Japan enjoys a global and growing audience, and one of the best ways fans can discover established and up and coming acts is through the music in anime. It's integral to driving the emotions and narrative of the craft of anime.

Crunchyroll, the global brand serving fans the ultimate anime experience, celebrates Japanese music and musicians with the launch of a new music initiative that brings thousands of iconic videos and hundreds of popular and contemporary artists from Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (SMEJ) to its service.

During the Crunchyroll Anime Awards held this year in Japan, the company announced a new music initiative celebrating Japanese music and musicians that brings iconic performances from popular and contemporary artists to its service. Users of Crunchyroll can now enjoy access to an extensive library of short-form music videos and more than 100 full-length live concerts from SMEJ artists, including Aimer, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, LiSA, Hiroyuki Sawano and many more.

Crunchyroll is partnering with US-based Sony Music Entertainment (SME) to license SMEJ's content outside of Japan.

The new music and content hub on Crunchyroll's streaming platform is available today to its audience of 10M+ paying subscribers. User features at launch will include music video curation, artist listing page and search integration, followed by a dedicated music landing page/screen, enhanced discoverability and show page integrations in the future.

“Crunchyroll is always looking for ways to add more value for its fans, and we know that anime and music have always been intrinsically connected art forms,” noted Asa Suehira, Chief Content Officer for Crunchyroll. “From the early years of anime, music artists have worked closely with the anime producers to write lyrics and meaningfully integrate the music into the story. Crunchyroll wants to replicate that same synergy for our fans.”

Over the last five years, anime music has become more accessible outside of Japan. Playlisting on Spotify and Apple Music has accelerated global popularity, with influential playlists on Spotify including Anime Hits, Anime on Replay and Anime Now, and on Apple Music, New in: Anime and Anime Character Songs.

Over the last few years, Crunchyroll has been opening the door for music at events, including its yearly flagship Crunchyroll Expo, alongside New York Comic Con, Anime Expo, San Diego Comic-Con, and Porter Robinson's Second Sky Music Festival, co-producing or presenting IP-inspired concerts, collaborating with DJs or sponsoring artists, and dance parties.

About Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll connects anime and manga fans across 200+ countries and territories with the content and experiences they love. In addition to free ad-supported and subscription premium content, Crunchyroll serves the anime community across events, theatrical, games, consumer products, collectibles and manga publishing.

Anime fans have access to one of the largest collections of licensed anime through Crunchyroll and translated in multiple languages for viewers worldwide. Viewers can also access simulcasts — top series available immediately after Japanese broadcast.

The Crunchyroll app is available on over 15 platforms, including all gaming consoles.

Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between US-based Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Japan's Aniplex Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

About Sony Music Entertainment Japan:
Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), or SMEJ, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation and holds all shares and serves as headquarters for the management and administration of all Sony Music Group (Japan) subsidiaries. Operations include marketing and tie-ins, finding and developing artists, various entertainers, and creators, building our businesses abroad, as well as creating new opportunities in the entertainment business for digital content, live entertainment, music streaming, and sports entertainment.