According to a memo from Crunchyroll‘s president Rahul Purini, reported by Variety, the company is undergoing a restructuring that will see resources redirected towards rapidly expanding markets outside the United States. The restructuring, Purini emphasized, is not primarily about cost-cutting or financial performance improvement, but rather an effort to adapt and grow. This shift will lead to job losses for some employees, while others will have expanded responsibilities or new roles within the company. Notably, all 13 of Crunchyroll’s offices spanning nine countries in North America, Europe, and Asia will be affected by these changes.
It’s worth noting that Variety reports Crunchyroll currently has over 100 job vacancies worldwide and plans to increase this number in the near future, despite recent staff reductions. Crunchyroll aims to establish new engineering centers in the U.S., Mexico, and India, which have shown significant growth. The company also intends to expand its main anime business by introducing collectibles and other merchandise. Earlier in the year, Crunchyroll unveiled Crunchyroll Manga, a new manga reading app for subscribers. Although Crunchyroll employs over a thousand individuals, the specific number of employees affected by the layoffs has not been revealed.
Is Crunchyroll in Trouble?
A day following Crunchyroll’s significant partnership announcement with Delta Air Lines, offering anime content on thousands of US flights, comes a memo about restructuring within the company. With over 17 million reported paid subscribers, Crunchyroll has also shared that Hollywood actor Channing Tatum will be part of the English dub cast for “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle.” Anime’s popularity has skyrocketed, making it one of the most-viewed mediums across various platforms. However, the recent layoffs at Crunchyroll have left many surprised, given that the anime industry seems to be expanding instead of contracting.
In simpler terms, Purini’s memo confirmed that the company’s restructuring isn’t a result of ongoing issues but rather a change in focus. It’s essential to understand that corporate restructuring doesn’t necessarily reflect a company’s financial health. Instead, it often signifies a business adapting to market changes and new demands daily. These adjustments can lead to modifications in strategic objectives, expanded market aspirations, and unfortunately, job losses.
Despite the recent layoffs and global expansion, some anime enthusiasts are concerned about the future health of the industry due to Sony Pictures Entertainment’s acquisition of Crunchyroll and Funimation. With the merger of these two brands into a market-leading anime business, there has been apprehension that corporate politics and consolidation might create more problems for the industry than solutions. The main worry is whether large corporations will have control over the direction of anime production, instead of creators or fans. In many instances, businesses tend to make decisions based on profit margins rather than what benefits the industry as a whole.
Regardless of the cause for the layoffs, it offers little comfort to those who face job loss. Even though the anime market is expanding, those who contribute significantly to its distribution may not always receive the recognition they deserve and are often subjected to corporate decisions. Our sympathies go out to the Crunchyroll employees impacted by the restructuring.
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2025-08-13 00:28