Recent revelations have put Crunchyroll at the center of a controversy over its management of Dandadan , one of the most popular anime of 2024. The series, which follows Momo Ayase and Okarun on supernatural and humorous adventures, has won fans around the world, but hides a troubled history of poorly managed licensing and promotions
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According to information released by Bloomberg , Crunchyroll reportedly decided not to invest in promoting the anime due to internal strategic issues and relationship issues with major industry players, such as Toho . This decision appears to have contributed to an increasingly fierce competition in the anime streaming market.
Dandadan: Between success and controversy
Produced by Science Saru , a subsidiary of Toho International, Dandadan is already distributed by major names such as Netflix , Hulu , and GKIDS . However, unlike other anime with a primary streaming partner, Dandadan is on a shared platform. While Netflix actively promoted the anime, making it the second most-watched non-English release on the platform, Crunchyroll has reportedly fallen short, reportedly for not obtaining exclusive simulcast rights.
Internal problems and questionable tactics
Since its acquisition by Sony in 2021, Crunchyroll has faced management challenges. Among these are strategic changes attributed to Vice President of Creative Marketing Markus Gerdemann , whose leadership has been criticized by employees and associates. Bloomberg highlights issues such as low employee morale, complaints of inappropriate conduct, and decisions that reportedly alienated partners like Toho and Toei.
Furthermore, the streaming market is increasingly competitive, with giants like Netflix and Hulu threatening Crunchyroll's position. Research shows that 76% of Gen Z fans watch anime on Netflix, while only 58% prefer Crunchyroll.
The future of Crunchyroll and challenges
The controversies surrounding Dandadan highlight the challenges Crunchyroll faces in an increasingly globalized and competitive market. A lack of focus on exclusive licensing and internal discontent could further jeopardize its position in the industry.
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