Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Nab Global Rights for Makoto Shinkai’s Eighth Anime Film

Anime streaming powerhouse Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment have officially secured international distribution rights for the highly anticipated eighth feature film from visionary Japanese director Makoto Shinkai. Known globally for box office blockbusters like Your Name, Weathering With You, and Suzume, Shinkai’s latest project remains untitled, but the joint deal covers worldwide theatrical release across all territories outside Asia, with India explicitly included in the package. While plot and timing details remain under wraps, production is underway with a projected theatrical arrival expected between late 2026 and 2027.

Key Information

• Director: Makoto Shinkai
• Animation Studio: CoMix Wave Films
• Global Distributors: Crunchyroll anime streaming catalog and Sony Pictures theatrical portal (Excluding Asia except India)
• Japanese Distributor: Toho Company
• Project Status: Eighth Feature Film (Currently in Production)
• Genre: Animated Fantasy, Drama, Science Fiction
• Official Director X (Twitter) Account: Makoto Shinkai Official X Profile
• Animation Studio Website: CoMix Wave Films Official Portal

What Is the Story Behind Makoto Shinkai’s New Anime Project?

Specific narrative details, official character designs, and the final movie title are currently being kept under strict secrecy by the production team. However, director Makoto Shinkai publicly confirmed on his official X account that he spent much of 2024 and 2025 writing and developing the screenplay alongside trusted creative colleagues.

The upcoming project represents Shinkai’s eighth full-length directorial work. His landmark filmography includes:

• Voices of a Distant Star (2002): The indie short film that launched his career.
• The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004): His feature film debut.
• 5 Centimeters per Second (2007): The acclaimed romantic drama.
• Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011): A high-fantasy journey into underground realms.
• The Garden of Words (2013): A visually stunning story set in Tokyo’s rainy seasons.
• Your Name (2016): The global phenomenon that grossed $358 million worldwide.
• Weathering With You (2019): Japan’s official Oscar submission, earning $193 million globally.
• Suzume (2022): The critically acclaimed blockbuster that grossed over $320 million.

Industry analysts anticipate that the new film will build on Shinkai’s signature blend of breathtaking background art, emotional depth, and supernatural themes, continuing a creative evolution that has made him one of Japan’s most commercially dependable directors.

Why Did Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Partner on This Deal?

The acquisition extends a highly lucrative theatrical partnership between Crunchyroll and parent company Sony Pictures Entertainment. The two giants previously joined forces in 2022 to acquire and distribute Suzume globally following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. That movie went on to gross over $300 million worldwide, earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature, and became the first Japanese animated film in over two decades to compete for the prestigious Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

This early deal highlights how crucial anime has become to Sony’s global cinematic strategy. Crunchyroll and Sony recently orchestrated the global theatrical rollout for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, which rocketed to a record-breaking $793 million at the worldwide box office. Over $543 million of that historic total originated directly from international territories managed by the Crunchyroll and Sony distribution team.

By locking down international rights before a single trailer or title release, Crunchyroll ensures that Shinkai’s next cinematic spectacle will receive a massive day-and-date theatrical rollout across North America, Europe, Latin America, Australia, and India. Fans can stream Shinkai’s previous catalog on the Crunchyroll anime streaming catalog while waiting for the official title reveal.