Recent revelations place 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 humor-filled adventures, has won over fans around the world, but hides a story troubled licensing and managed promotions .
According to information released by Bloomberg , Crunchyroll had decided not to invest in promoting the anime due to internal strategic issues and relationship problems with major players in the industry, such as Toho . This decision appears to have contributed to an increasingly fierce dispute in the anime streaming market.
Dandadan: Between success and controversy
Produced by the Science Saru , a subsidiary of Toho International, Dandadan is already distributed by big names, such as Netflix , Hulu and GKIDS . However, unlike other anime with a main streaming partner, Dandadan is on shared ground. While Netflix actively promoted the anime, making it the second most-watched non-English release on the platform, Crunchyroll reportedly left something to be desired, reportedly by not obtaining exclusive simulcast rights.
Internal problems and questionable tactics
Since its acquisition by Sony in 2021, Crunchyroll has faced management difficulties. Among them are strategic changes attributed to vice president of creative marketing Markus Gerdemann , whose leadership has been criticized by employees and associates. Bloomberg points to problems such as falling morale among employees, complaints of inappropriate conduct and decisions that, according to reports, alienated partners such as 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 facing Crunchyroll in an increasingly globalized and competitive market. A lack of focus on exclusive licensing and internal discontent could further compromise its position in the industry.
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