Crunchyroll stock could be an excellent way for investors to tap into anime’s explosive rise in popularity over the last decade.
But can you buy shares in Crunchyroll? Follow along to find out.
Can You Buy Crunchyroll Stock?
You cannot buy Crunchyroll stock outright, as it’s a privately held company, but there is a way to invest in Crunchyroll on the stock market.
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.
Keep reading for more info.
But first, what is Crunchyroll, and what makes the company so successful?
What Is Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll is a widely used anime streaming service that’s 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.
Since then, the company has grown into an anime streaming staple and is easily one of the top names in the industry.
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.
Because of this, it has a subscriber base in the tens of millions and a user base in the hundreds of millions.
Both paid and free users could continue to increase 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:
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Sony Entertainment bought a controlling stake in Funimation in 2017.
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Funimation (now a subsidiary of Sony) acquired Crunchyroll in 2021 for roughly $1.2 billion.
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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 10 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.
In December 2020, Crunchyroll was bought out for a staggering $1.175 billion.
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 can technically buy into Crunchyroll stock by buying stock in Sony Entertainment.
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).
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 any time in the near future.
Crunchyroll Competitor Stocks
If you’re not keen on waiting for a Crunchyroll IPO 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 wide 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 FAQ
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.
Does Sony Own Crunchyroll?
Funimation was the company that purchased Crunchyroll, but Funimation is now a subsidiary of Sony.
Therefore, Sony owns both Funimation and Crunchyroll.
Sony is making major strides toward cornering the anime streaming market, which means that we could see even more anime streaming services under its banner.
What Does Sony Plan to Do With Crunchyroll?
Sony plans to unify Funimation and Crunchyroll into one cohesive subscription service.
It also intends to drastically expand its anime streaming, bringing fans content in any place or way they’d like.
It’s a clever business model that seems to be working for the entertainment titan so far.
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, the company isn’t publicly traded. That being said, Crunchyroll’s parent company is!
So if you’re looking to invest in a company that manages the distribution of anime and manga, look no further than Sony.
With its acquisition of Crunchyroll, it has become the largest global anime distributor to exist.
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