Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment have officially secured worldwide distribution rights outside Asia for Makoto Shinkai’s highly anticipated next anime feature film, partnering once again following their massive global success with 2022’s Suzume.
The Bottom Line
- The Deal: Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment are co-distributing Makoto Shinkai’s untitled new anime movie globally, excluding most of Asia.
- The Exception: India is explicitly included in the global distribution agreement, grouped alongside Western theatrical markets.
- The Status: Major plot details, official titles, and theatrical release dates remain tightly under wraps.
Expanding the Sony-Crunchyroll Pipeline for Shinkai’s Return
Announced on August 12, 2026, the newly minted agreement dictates that the yet-untitled project will bow globally outside of Asian territories, according to reports from Deadline. Interestingly, India has been carved out from the standard Asian market exclusion, grouped instead with Western territories following a blueprint similar to previous high-profile anime rollouts.
This upcoming venture marks the continuation of a creative and commercial alliance between the director and the studios. Crunchyroll and Sony previously handled the global theatrical and home entertainment rollout for Shinkai’s Suzume. That 2022 feature shattered expectations by grossing more than $300 million worldwide, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature, and achieving the historic feat of competing at the Berlin International Film Festival—becoming the first anime feature to do so in decades, as noted by Variety.
Box Office Pedigree and the Three-Year Cadence
Shinkai operates with a reliable, critically praised production rhythm, typically delivering major cinematic events every three years. His modern masterclass in global box office dominance began with 2016’s Your Name., a cultural phenomenon that pulled in $405.3 million worldwide. That milestone was followed by 2019’s Weathering With You, which secured further international acclaim and served as Japan’s submission for the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature category.
The streaming and distribution giant has systematically expanded the footprint of Japanese animation in Western multiplexes. Company data indicates that Crunchyroll’s theatrical division has driven 12 of the 20 highest-performing anime films in U.S. box office history, a roster that includes blockbuster titles such as Suzume, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Mugen Train, and JUJUTSU KAISEN 0, alongside massive hits like last year’s Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle.
| Film Title | Release Year | Global Box Office / Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Your Name. | 2016 | $405.3 Million Worldwide |
| Weathering With You | 2019 | Oscar Submission for Best International Feature |
| Suzume | 2022 | $300+ Million, Berlin Competition Selection |
| Untitled Shinkai Project | TBA (In Production) | Global Co-Distribution via Sony and Crunchyroll |
What Stays Under Wraps
Despite the high-stakes announcement of the global pact, concrete details regarding the film’s narrative direction remain closely guarded. Crunchyroll confirmed that the project’s official title, character designs, plot specifics, and release window are not yet public.
