Crunchyroll manga distribution expanses to France and Germany, overseen by HarperCollins.
HarperCollins Acquires Crunchyroll's Manga Publishing Operations in France and Germany
HarperCollins, a leading global publisher, has announced its intention to acquire Crunchyroll's manga publishing operations in France and Germany. The transaction, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the second half of 2025 [1][2][3][4].
The acquisition marks a significant step towards broadening HarperCollins' manga program around the world. The deal aims to expand HarperCollins' manga portfolio in Europe and strengthen its global manga program, building on its existing Japanese manga publishing business [1][2][4].
Crunchyroll's President, Rahul Purini, expressed his gratitude to the manga employees in France and Germany for their work. He stated that all Crunchyroll employees in these regions will join HarperCollins, with current leadership staying in place, led by senior publishing director Hideki Iyama-Desseigne reporting to Chantal Restivo-Alessi, CEO of international foreign language publishing at HarperCollins [1][2][3].
The acquisition includes physical manga, as Crunchyroll has not yet relaunched its digital business [5]. HarperCollins plans to invest in the French and German publishing teams and their business, with the aim of further expanding its manga portfolio in Europe [6].
Founded in 2006, Crunchyroll started by streaming anime and significantly reduced piracy. It has since grown to operate one of the largest manga and graphic novel bookstores, working with over a dozen publishers [7]. Crunchyroll is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan's Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment [8].
The acquisition enables HarperCollins to sell manga and graphic novels in France and Germany, further solidifying its position in the fast-growing manga category [9]. Michael Kozlowski, who has written about audiobooks, e-books, and e-readers for the past eighteen years, resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada [10].
The acquisition is a strategic move for HarperCollins, as it seeks to enhance its relationships with Japanese manga publishers and strengthen its global manga program [1].
[1] https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/deals-mergers-and-acquisitions/article/70851-harpercollins-to-acquire-crunchyroll-manga-publishing-operations-in-france-and-germany.html [2] https://www.thebookseller.com/news/harpercollins-acquires-crunchyrolls-manga-publishing-operations-france-and-germany-477516 [3] https://www.thebookseller.com/news/harpercollins-to-acquire-crunchyrolls-manga-publishing-operations-in-france-and-germany-477516 [4] https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/deals-mergers-and-acquisitions/article/70851-harpercollins-to-acquire-crunchyroll-manga-publishing-operations-in-france-and-germany.html [5] https://www.thebookseller.com/news/harpercollins-acquires-crunchyrolls-manga-publishing-operations-in-france-and-germany-477516 [6] https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/deals-mergers-and-acquisitions/article/70851-harpercollins-to-acquire-crunchyroll-manga-publishing-operations-in-france-and-germany.html [7] https://www.thebookseller.com/news/harpercollins-acquires-crunchyrolls-manga-publishing-operations-in-france-and-germany-477516 [8] https://www.thebookseller.com/news/harpercollins-acquires-crunchyrolls-manga-publishing-operations-in-france-and-germany-477516 [9] https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/deals-mergers-and-acquisitions/article/70851-harpercollins-to-acquire-crunchyroll-manga-publishing-operations-in-france-and-germany.html [10] https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kozlowski-39541b157/
The acquisition will not only bolster HarperCollins' manga sales in France and Germany but also open potential avenues for selling e-books and e-readers in these regions, as technology continues to play a significant role in the global publishing business. With the combined strengths of Crunchyroll's manga portfolio and HarperCollins' extensive experience in finance and business, the synergy promises a promising future for both parties in the fast-evolving manga market.
