Sony and Crunchyroll announce PS5 anime hub and new Storyworks division

Sony and Crunchyroll have announced major strategic expansions to integrate anime content more deeply into the PlayStation ecosystem and expand content production.

Starting in spring 2027, a dedicated Crunchyroll hub will be integrated directly into the PlayStation 5 home screen. This hub will allow users to discover anime series, find games inspired by anime, and access the Crunchyroll app more seamlessly from the console's main menu.

Additionally, Sony has launched Crunchyroll Storyworks, a new division led by Sony veteran Tohru Iokibe. The division is tasked with two primary goals: adapting international stories into anime in collaboration with Japanese creators, and developing existing Japanese anime properties into live-action feature films and television series. Storyworks will act as a developmental unit, scouting and packaging projects for HAYATE, a joint venture between Crunchyroll and Aniplex, to handle final production.

In a separate partnership, HAYATE, LINE Digital Frontier, and Crunchyroll will collaborate to adapt approximately 15 original webtoon titles from LINE Manga into anime series.