The academy initiative was revealed during the Japanese electronics and entertainment conglomerate’s recent annual corporate strategy presentation, alongside plans for AnimeCanvas, a new animation production package utilizing AI, and greater support for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
Sony has announced the upcoming creation of an academy to develop the talents of anime artists, an initiative revealed during the Japanese electronics and entertainment conglomerate’s recent annual corporate strategy presentation, according to Variety.
“The launch of a project to establish an academy [comes] with the aim of nurturing anime creators in global markets, mainly by Aniplex and Crunchyroll with collaboration from across the industry,” said Sony Group chairman and CEO Yoshida Kenichiro and president, COO and CFO Totoki Hiroki.
Aniplex, the creator and distributor of Japanese animation and a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), has enjoyed success with such franchises as Demon Slayer. Anime streaming service and distributor Crunchyroll, also a Sony property, boasts 13 million paying subscribers, a significant increase from 2021 when it was acquired from AT&T and merged with Sony’s Funimation.
Sony will also focus on its development of ‘AnimeCanvas,’ a new animation production software utilizing AI. Aniplex subsidiaries A-1 Pictures and CloverWorks will collaborate with engineers from SMEJ and across the Sony Group for the initiative.
Finally, the entertainment giant will celebrate anime creators, fans, and culture by emphasizing the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, which has grown in popularity alongside the streaming platform.
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
