Anime's Future Explored by Industry Titans

An exclusive industry summit, themed "Designing for Anime's Future," is set to occur on October 7 in New York. This event will feature prominent figures including Guillermo del Toro and James Gunn, alongside executives from leading Japanese anime and manga companies. The forum aims to foster discussions on fandom, technological advancements, narrative techniques, and the protection of intellectual property.

Key participants will include Manabu Otsuka from MAPPA, Taichi Ueda from Toho, and Yuta Momiyama from Shueisha, who oversees Shonen Jump+. Sony Music Entertainment Japan president Atsuhiro Iwakami will also be present. The event is anticipated to explore transmedia storytelling, the evolving theatrical experience, the future of manga, and the influence of social media on expanding anime's reach.

Sony Group's Hiroki Totoki and Sony Pictures Entertainment's Ravi Ahuja are slated to deliver opening and daytime remarks, respectively. Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini will conclude the forum with closing statements and potential news announcements. Sony highlighted anime as a significant growth sector, with Crunchyroll having recently surpassed 21 million paid subscribers worldwide.

More than 400 industry professionals are expected at the summit, which will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. This gathering precedes the commencement of New York Comic Con at the same venue.