On March 17, 2025, Aniplex and Crunchyroll officially unveiled their collaboration to create a new anime production company known as Hayate. This initiative falls under the Sony Group umbrella, which also includes the renowned animation studios CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures, both owned by Aniplex.
Hayate is poised to focus on the development and production of anime content specifically for Crunchyroll’s international streaming platform. By combining Crunchyroll’s marketing and distribution strengths with Aniplex’s rich production capabilities and extensive network of creators, the joint venture aims to deliver high-quality anime experiences to global audiences.
Leadership and Structure of Hayate
At the helm of the Hayate venture are Chairman and CEO Masanori Miyake and President and COO Leo Watanabe, both seasoned professionals from Aniplex. Miyake brings a wealth of production experience, while Watanabe has a solid background in the business dimensions of the anime industry. The company is expected to draw on talent from both parent companies, creating a diverse and capable team.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Hayate Inc. has not provided additional details about its plans as of this writing. Nevertheless, industry observers anticipate the announcement of several new anime series in the near future. Although expectations suggest that these series may not premiere until 2026, fans can look forward to upcoming production announcements within months.
Speculations about Crunchyroll Originals
In light of these developments, there is considerable speculation regarding the potential revival of Crunchyroll Originals, the last of which was *Meiji Gekken: 1874*, aired from January to March 2024. With no new series launched under this label for nearly a year, many are hopeful that Hayate might usher in a fresh slate of original programming. However, at this stage, all such claims remain speculative pending official confirmation from Hayate or related entities.
As highlighted, Aniplex’s well-regarded subsidiaries, including CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures, set a high benchmark for quality. Expectations are that Hayate will match these standards, delivering top-tier productions that resonate with fans. The new company is also likely to partner with other animation studios, further enhancing the breadth of talent and creative storytelling.
Crunchyroll, which was acquired by Sony Group Corporation from AT&T’s WarnerMedia in 2021, has continued to evolve. Following its merger with Funimation — which resulted in the closure of the latter’s service in April 2024 — Crunchyroll now boasts a diverse library of over a thousand anime series, alongside more than 200 East Asian dramas. However, availability may vary based on regional licensing agreements, impacting viewer access to certain titles.