Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum 2026: Date, Speakers and Access

Crunchyroll is bringing Japanese anime and manga companies together with filmmakers including James Gunn and the directors of Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse for its first Anime Future Forum. The summit will focus on how stories reach audiences through manga, anime, films and games.

When and where is the Anime Future Forum?

The one-day forum takes place on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. New York Comic Con opens there the following day and runs through October 11.

Crunchyroll expects more than 400 industry attendees. The guest mix extends beyond animation to film, television, gaming, music and technology, with Japanese creators and companies meeting counterparts from other markets.

Can fans attend with a New York Comic Con ticket?

An NYCC ticket should not be treated as admission to the invitation-only forum. Fans planning to attend anime panels should use the convention's public schedule; a guest's forum appearance does not also confirm a signing, photo opportunity or public NYCC panel.

Who is speaking at the forum?

The announced Japanese industry guests include:

• Yuta Momiyama, from Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ digital manga platform.
• Taichi Ueda, film producer and executive at TOHO.
• Manabu Otsuka, president and CEO of MAPPA.
• Atsuhiro Iwakami, representing Aniplex and Sony Music Entertainment Japan.

James Gunn is also on the announced lineup. Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson, the directors of Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, are scheduled for a conversation moderated by Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson.

Figure skater Amber Glenn, musician Big Sean and creator Jordan Howlett are also on the announced guest list.

Guillermo del Toro appeared in the original announcement, but he will not attend. Crunchyroll confirmed that change in an August 29 statement to Cartoon Brew and said the full, final lineup would follow closer to the event. No reason was given in that statement.

What will the Anime Future Forum cover?

The theme is “Designing for Anime's Future,” with discussions built around fandom, technology, storytelling and intellectual-property protection. The announced program includes:

• How stories and audiences move between games, live-action productions and anime.
• The changing experience of watching films in theaters.
• The future of manga, from the page to digital platforms.
• The role of online creators in introducing audiences to anime.

Sony introduced the forum in May as part of its plans to strengthen relationships with Japanese publishers and creators.

The day is scheduled to open with Sony Group president and CEO Hiroki Totoki. Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja will speak at midday, before Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini closes the forum.

Will there be a livestream or new anime announcements?

A public livestream has not been announced. The available event information does not include a viewing link or plans for post-event videos.

Purini's closing remarks are billed to include company news, but no specific new anime, season premiere or trailer is listed in the program. Fans should not expect a seasonal lineup showcase on the strength of that wording alone.