Crunchyroll is a popular anime streaming service that continually adds new shows to its platform.
Due to its growing popularity, many people are wondering if it’s possible to purchase shares of the stock. In this article, you’ll learn if you can buy Crunchyroll stock right now.
Can You Buy Crunchyroll Stock Today?
Crunchyroll is not a publicly traded company. You cannot buy shares of Crunchyroll.
Instead, it is a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, who bought Crunchyroll in August 2021 for about $1.175 billion.
Therefore, the only way to invest in Crunchyroll is through its parent company, Sony.
Sony’s ticker is SONY on the NYSE. All ownership and profits feed into Sony’s broader business. That includes PlayStation, music, movies, and more.
While this method is not the same as one-to-one ownership, it’s the next best thing.
We’re going to break it all down and give you insights on Crunchyroll, how to invest in the company, and some competitor stocks you might want to watch out for.
But first, what is Crunchyroll, and what makes the company so successful?
What Is Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll is a widely used anime streaming service that has exploded in popularity in the last few years.
It has raked in massive profits by delivering anime fans a top-tier streaming service that lets them watch their favorite shows.
It was founded in 2006 by a group of graduates from the University of California, Berkeley.
The company currently has offices in Tokyo, Japan, and San Francisco, California.
Crunchyroll’s website started as a for-profit video uploading site dedicated to the anime community at large.
In 2008, the company had seen such success that it received an investment of just over $4 million from the private venture capital firm Venrock. It hit 1 million paid subscribers in early 2017.
Since then, the company has grown into an anime streaming staple and is easily one of the top names in the industry.
Crunchyroll’s Ownership & Acquisition History
The Chernin Group acquired Crunchyroll for about $100 million in 2013. Two years later, Otter Media, backed by AT&T and Chernin, took ownership.
Crunchyroll expanded its catalog and began co‑producing original content. It partnered with Funimation in 2016 for shared licensing deals.
In December 2020, Sony agreed to buy Crunchyroll from AT&T for approximately $1.175 billion.
The deal closed on August 9, 2021, under Sony’s Funimation Global Group, a joint venture between Sony Pictures and Aniplex.
Sony rapidly integrated Crunchyroll into its entertainment arm, merging Funimation, Wakanim, VRV, and Madman Anime into the platform by March 2022.
In March 2025, Crunchyroll partnered with Aniplex to launch Hayate Inc., a joint venture production studio based in Tokyo. It is dedicated to creating original anime exclusively for Crunchyroll’s global audience.
Why Is Crunchyroll Successful?
Crunchyroll is successful due to its niche application in the streaming world.
The platform appeals to anime and Japanese culture enthusiasts and is one of the few services that allows users to buy and read this type of media.
As a result, it has a subscriber base of tens of millions and a user base at least ten times higher.
Both paid and free users are expected to continue increasing in the following years.
Who Owns Crunchyroll?
Technically, Crunchyroll is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment.
It’s a little complicated, so here’s how Sony’s ownership of Crunchyroll works:
Sony Entertainment bought a controlling stake in Funimation in 2017.
Funimation (now a subsidiary of Sony) acquired Crunchyroll in 2021 for roughly $1.2 billion.
Sony owns Crunchyroll, as it is the owner of Funimation.
Crunchyroll is now responsible for the majority of all global anime releases outside of Asia at this time.
Sony likely purchased the company to make itself the world’s anime powerhouse in addition to acquiring Crunchyroll’s annual revenue.
This was a smart move as anime is a rapidly growing segment with untapped potential.
Crunchyroll has surpassed 17 million paying users subscribed to monthly plans.
That’s a lot of money in Sony’s pockets.
Prior to Sony’s purchase, the company was owned by AT&T—and before that, the Chernin Group.
Other investors that own a stake in Crunchyroll include:
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Otter Media
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TV Tokyo
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Venrock
How Much Is Crunchyroll Worth?
Crunchyroll’s current worth is unknown, but we can go off Funimation/Sony’s buyout of the company to get an idea of its net value.
The company’s value has almost certainly increased since then, but there’s no news on an exact number.
We’ll keep you in the loop if this changes.
How to Buy Crunchyroll Stock?
You cannot buy Crunchyroll directly. The only way to purchase shares is via Sony Group Corporation stock (ticker: SONY).
While Crunchyroll is privately held, Sony’s shares are publicly traded on the stock market.
Sony stock is available to trade on most online trading platforms, so it could be a breeze to pick up some shares. Some popular brokers are Robinhood and Webull.
It’s that simple, and anyone can invest. So you won’t need to be an accredited investor to purchase stock through pre-IPO marketplaces.
Your only other option is waiting for a Crunchyroll stock initial public offering (IPO).
Sony’s Financial Reporting and Anime Division
Sony reports revenue across segments. Pictures, where Crunchyroll sits, generated roughly ¥1.5 trillion for FY2024, nearly ¥13 billion higher than the year prior.
Profits didn’t make a huge leap from last year but still added ¥117 billion to the company’s coffers.
Crunchyroll and anime content played a big part in that result.
Crunchyroll is set to account for 35–40% of Sony Pictures’ operating profit, which translates to a significant earnings driver. Analysts expect this reach may expand by 2027 if subscriber growth continues.
Sony Stock Performance and Investor Sentiment
Year to date, Sony shares rose nearly 20%%, as investors welcomed the pivot toward entertainment. Its projected spinoff of the financial unit also boosted confidence in Sony’s media focus.
Owning Sony shares gives exposure not just to Crunchyroll but to Sony’s broader IP ecosystem—games, movies, music—that amplifies the value of anime content.
Crunchyroll Stock Symbol
Crunchyroll does not technically have a stock symbol, but Sony Group Corp’s stock ticker is aptly named SONY.
So if you want to invest in Crunchyroll, head down to your favorite trading platform and type in SONY in the search bar.
If, by some miracle, Crunchyroll breaks away from Sony and becomes publicly traded, some tickers it could go for are:
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CRCH
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CRLL
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CHRL
These are just some ideas.
Often, stock ticker symbols have no relation to the actual name of the company.
Crunchyroll Stock Price
Crunchyroll does not have a stock price, but you can check the current trading price of Sony Group Corporation (SONY).
When Is Crunchyroll’s IPO Date?
At this moment, there is no news about a Crunchyroll IPO date.
Sony Entertainment has very little reason to allow the company to go public, so this probably won’t change anytime in the near future.
Crunchyroll’s Business & Market Potential
Subscriber Growth and Engagement
By March 2025, Crunchyroll had grown its paid subscriber base to over 17 million.
That is up from about 13 million in 2023. It has a total of over 120 million registered users globally while offeringmore than 25,000 hours of content in 200+ countries.
Revenue Streams and Integrated Offerings
Crunchyroll earns from subscriptions, ads, licensing, events, and merchandise. It also partners with Sony’s gaming segment.
Video game tie-ins, soundtrack sales, and live events all feed revenue growth. Anime content tied to PlayStation games drives cross-promotion.
Growth in Global Anime Market
The global anime market continues to grow as the world accepts its content as mainstream.
Other major streaming companies are embracing the trend as well, such as Netflix and Amazon.
This upward momentum helps the sector as a whole and pushes Crunchyroll to remain competitive in the space.
Crunchyroll’s Profit Impact on Sony Pictures
Analysts estimate Crunchyroll will contribute 35–40% of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s operating profit in the next two years.
Sony leaders have said Crunchyroll is their primary growth driver at SPE over the coming years.
Synergies Across Sony’s Divisions
Crunchyroll content now ties to Sony music, games, and media. Joint projects like Hayate Inc. show deeper integration.
This synergy helps boost cross-sell and retention. A PlayStation game may inspire an anime, whose soundtrack adds sales and streaming subscribers.
Will Crunchyroll Ever IPO?
Sony has made no public plans to spin off or IPO Crunchyroll. For now, it remains fully consolidated under Sony Pictures and Aniplex.
The media giant treats Crunchyroll as a central piece of its entertainment model, fueling cross-brand strategies across PlayStation, Aniplex, music, and merchandising. Breaking it out may reduce these synergies.
A spinoff could happen if Crunchyroll’s revenue continues to grow, but all signs point to this being an unlikely scenario.
Past streaming IPOs like Netflix and Spotify offer some context, but Crunchyroll’s path remains speculative.
For now, IPO talk is hypothetical. It would require a strategic rationale and a public market environment that supports niche streaming offerings.
Crunchyroll Competitor Stocks
If you’re not keen on waiting for a Crunchyroll IPO/Crunchyroll stock or investing in Sony, there are plenty of competitors that are publicly traded.
Keep reading for our top picks of investment opportunities.
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX)
Founded in 1997, Netflix initially operated as a DVD rental service before transitioning into the streaming giant we know today.
The company went public in the early 2000s and has since evolved into one of the most popular streaming services globally, offering a vast range of original and licensed content.
Unlike Crunchyroll, which specializes in anime, Netflix provides a broader entertainment spectrum, making it a more diversified investment option.
Its broad reach and continued expansion into original programming could make Netflix a solid long-term investment alternative.
While both Netflix and Crunchyroll target different niche audiences, Netflix’s broader appeal and content variety give it an edge in terms of market share.
Crunchyroll may attract anime enthusiasts, but Netflix caters to a wider global audience, positioning itself as a major player in the streaming and entertainment industries.
BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc. (TOKYO: 7832.T)
It may not be available on the American market, but all the same, Bandai is a company that could be worth investing in.
The company was formed in 2005 when Bandai and Namco became partners and merged.
This Japanese company makes anime as well as video games, and more recently, mobile games.
Bandai also makes toys and model kits, which is why it’s so big in the anime world.
Because it has so much experience in so many industries, Bandai Namco could be a great stock for anyone interested in companies with the proven ability to expand.
Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA)
Paramount Global, through its streaming platform Paramount Plus, is a key player in the competitive streaming industry.
Paramount Plus offers a mix of movies, TV shows, live sports, and exclusive original content, making it a direct competitor to platforms like Netflix.
While Crunchyroll focuses on anime, Paramount Plus appeals to a wide audience with its vast library of popular franchises and live events.
Founded decades ago as a traditional media company, Paramount’s streaming expansion has helped it tap into the growing demand for digital entertainment, positioning it as a viable investment alternative.
Should You Wait for a Crunchyroll IPO?
Unless you’re really set on owning Crunchyroll stock, there are other successful competitors out there that you can already invest in.
So it might not be worth the wait if you just want to invest in streaming brands that tap into the anime category.
That said, few companies even come close in terms of what Crunchyroll has to offer in terms of its movies and anime catalog.
You can add Sony to your portfolio in the meantime to cash in on the anime streaming platform.
Make sure to do your due diligence before picking up shares of Crunchyroll in case of an IPO, as well as any of the picks on our list.
Crunchyroll Stock FAQs
Is Crunchyroll a Public Company?
Crunchyroll is not a public company; it’s a private company that is owned by Sony.
Fortunately, Sony stock is publicly traded. Odds are slim that we will see a Crunchyroll IPO anytime soon.
Is Funimation on the Stock Market?
Like Crunchyroll, Funimation is also a privately held company owned by Sony, so it’s not trading on the stock market.
Sony stock is available to buy or sell, so you could technically trade Funimation stock that way.
Is Crunchyroll Part of Sony or Funimation?
Sony Group Corporation owns Crunchyroll. Sony acquired it via Funimation in 2021. The company then merged Funimation into Crunchyroll in 2022.
What Streaming Content Does Crunchyroll Offer?
Crunchyroll specializes in anime, manga, and Asian dramas.
It provides a wide range of content for anime fans, including simulcasts of new episodes shortly after airing in Japan.
Can Crunchyroll Users Access Offline Viewing?
Yes, Crunchyroll offers offline viewing options for premium subscribers, allowing users to download anime episodes and watch them without an internet connection.
Is Crunchyroll Expanding Beyond Anime Streaming?
While Crunchyroll is primarily known for anime, it has been expanding its services into manga, merchandise, and mobile games, broadening its reach within the anime fan community.
Final Thoughts
Anime and manga are two very popular forms of entertainment in North America; as such, investing in a company that focuses on both of these media could be a wise choice.
Besides the competitors we mentioned, there are other options on the market, like Hulu or Amazon, but few streaming companies appeal to such a niche audience.
If you’re searching for a company that specializes in these areas, you may have given Crunchyroll a thought.
Unfortunately, Sony is building Crunchyroll into a central pillar of its media strategy. That makes Sony stock the best way to gain exposure today.
An IPO for Crunchyroll stock could happen someday. But for now, investors must look to Sony shares.
If your goal is to invest in anime growth, Crunchyroll matters. And Sony stock is your path to that.
Keep watching industry news. Watch for announcements from Sony, Crunchyroll, or anime market analysts in the coming years.
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