New Crunchyroll Layoffs Announced, Leaving Anime's Future In the Air

Though other companies have done all they can to catch up in recent years, Crunchyroll is still one of the most popular anime streaming services in the world. Each season, countless new and returning titles come to the platform at the same time they air in Japan, making it the choice service for countless anime fans.

However, it's recently come to light that Crunchyroll is laying off employees in an effort to align with the streaming giant's shifting focus on global markets. The news may come as a surprise to fans who have watched anime's recent meteoric rise in real time, but there's a bit more to Crunchyroll's actions than it might seem.

Crunchyroll Is Shifting Focus to Growing Markets

The Popular Streaming Service Is Looking to Expand Its Reach

Variety confirmed the total number of layoffs is currently unknown, and the business is reported to have over 1,000 employees across offices in several locations around the world. Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini insists the move has nothing to do with cutting costs, but is rather a byproduct of their increased focus on fast-growing international markets.

The company's restructuring aims to shift the focus of operations to regional teams in different markets, resulting in employees experiencing a number of changes. Crunchyroll's shifting focus and the lay-offs that have come as a result aren't exactly a bad sign, however, at least not for the current state of the anime industry.

Rather, they are signs that anime's rapid growth is only continuing, and Crunchyroll is making changes in order to spread the brand to other areas of the world. IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond expressed a similar interest in anime's global rise in a recent interview, where he discussed the company's success with international titles over the past year.

Anime's Popularity Isn't Slowing, and Businesses Are All-In On the Growing Industry

Everyone Wants In On Anime's Meteoric Rise

Long-time anime fans wouldn't need to be shown any numbers to be convinced that anime is bigger around the world than it's ever been before. Nevertheless, numbers do back that sentiment—as the industry is now following up its most profitable year ever, and global businesses are taking notice of anime's meteoric rise.

Top streaming services like Netflix, Prime, Hulu, and others are doing everything they can to get in on anime's success, all multiplying the number of anime titles in their lineups. Netflix recently revealed that a whopping 50% of its users watch anime regularly, while Disney is getting in on the game with their own original series, Twisted Wonderland, coming this year to Disney+.

Crunchyroll, in order to bolster its reputation as the top anime streaming service in the world, refuses to be left behind with its latest efforts to tap into fast-growing global markets. For its premium users, Crunchyroll will also be rolling out its own digital manga platform in the future.

The anime industry is booming and doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, and Crunchyroll's latest changes reflect that. The future of anime, despite some hiccups within the industry concerning how exactly shows are produced, is looking bright.