Crunchyroll's Anime Expo Presence Highlights Global Anime Boom

At Anime Expo in Los Angeles, Crunchyroll executives observed a surge in homemade cosplay of 'Witch Hat Atelier,' a series that premiered only in April 2025. The convention, held July 3-6 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Peacock Theater, capped a year of explosive growth for anime. Crunchyroll's subscriber base reached 21 million, up 4 million in a year, with key growth in Brazil, India, the U.S., and the Middle East. Sony acquired Crunchyroll in 2021, merging it with Funimation. The company hosted a product showcase at the Peacock Theater, highlighting creators like director Yuichiro Hayashi and voice actors Taihi Kimura and Aleks Le, as well as Raiki Murao, winner of the Crunchyroll Award at AnimeJapan. Netflix's 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' set viewership records, and Sony's 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' was a box office hit. Crunchyroll's Anime Awards were live-streamed on YouTube and TikTok. The company focuses on in-person events and community engagement, with installations featuring an animatronic character and a dubbing booth.