Crunchyroll Unveils Ambitious Anime Slate at NYCC 2026, Including Webtoon Adaptations and Video Game Series
New York Comic Con 2026 was a hub of entertainment news, with numerous announcements captivating attendees. While the Marvel panel garnered considerable attention for updates on its cinematic universe, anime also commanded a robust presence. The premiere of the first episode of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus drew thousands, and Crunchyroll unveiled an impressive array of projects, notably a new alliance focused on adapting popular webtoons.
During its showcase panel, Crunchyroll detailed a comprehensive slate spanning anime series, theatrical productions, and manga. A key highlight was the partnership with Hayate, a Japanese anime production company formed by Aniplex, and Line Digital Frontier Corporation, a Webtoon Entertainment subsidiary. This collaboration will see the three entities co-develop anime adaptations for approximately 15 popular webtoons available via Line Digital Frontier's mobile platform. The initial three titles from this initiative, complete with engaging trailers, were revealed during the presentation.
Webtoons have recently surged in popularity, with series on platforms like Line, Webtoon, and KakaoPage amassing millions of views and cultivating global fanbases eager for animated versions. The success of the Solo Leveling anime, which originated as a web novel and webcomic on KakaoPage, has underscored the significant potential of these intellectual properties. Crunchyroll and its parent company, Sony, are poised to lead this charge through their new collaboration. A press release indicates that Hayate will oversee development and production alongside Crunchyroll and Line Digital Frontier, with Crunchyroll holding exclusive streaming rights in designated regions. The first trio of titles announced are The Remarried Empress, Teenage Mercenary, and The Boxer.
The Crunchyroll Showcase also teased two major video game adaptations. A world premiere sneak peek was offered for Sekiro: No Defeat, an anime based on FromSoftware's acclaimed video game. This fully hand-drawn series, produced by Kadowaka, Qzil.la, and Arch, will consist of eight episodes and stream exclusively on Crunchyroll starting in January 2027. Additionally, Ghost of Tsushima is set to receive an anime adaptation based on its online multiplayer mode, titled Ghost of Tsushima Legends. Attendees at NYCC got an early look at this series, produced in collaboration by Hayate and PlayStation Productions, with an anticipated release in 2028.
Beyond the partnership announcements, Crunchyroll shared more news, including previews of new anime and anticipated series. Highlights included exclusive character art for Kagurabachi, a highly anticipated adaptation of a popular manga set to debut on Crunchyroll in 2027. A first look was also provided for Eat-Man, a remake of the 1997 anime based on Akihito Yoshitomi’s manga, featuring Bolt Crank, a mercenary who can consume and reproduce objects. The worldwide premiere trailer for Here U Are, an anime based on a Chinese boys' love manhua, made its debut. A new romantic comedy, Everyone's Darling Has a Secret, premiering in January 2027, also unveiled its first trailer. Global music icon LiSa will perform the opening song for Magical Buffs: The Support Caster is Stronger Than He Realized!, a fantasy series produced by J.C. Staff, also set for a January 2027 premiere, with a new trailer and key art revealed. Fans of Berserk of Gluttony got a sneak peek at its second season, arriving in 2027. Finally, Crunchyroll presented the world premiere trailer for The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All, based on Sumiko Arai’s manga and directed by Masashi Ishiyama, scheduled to air in Japan in January 2027, following a fashionable high schooler's crush on a mysterious CD shop worker who turns out to be her shy classmate.
The cinematic landscape for anime is also expanding, with several feature films slated for release. Witch on the Holy Night, based on Type-Moon’s visual novel, will hit theaters exclusively on January 29, 2027. Produced by ufotable and distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment, it will be available with both English dubs and Japanese audio with English subtitles. To commemorate its 10th anniversary, the classic anime Yuri!!! on Ice will have a special one-day screening of its first five episodes on October 19, as part of Crunchyroll’s monthly Anime Nights program in selected theaters across the U.S. and Canada. An additional announcement, made separately from the Crunchyroll Showcase, revealed that the popular historical mystery series The Apothecary Diaries is also heading to movie theaters with its first feature film, The Apothecary Diaries: The Late Lady’s Treasure. Based on an original story by series creator Hyuganatsu, the film will be directed by Norihiro Naganuma and distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment, with exact release dates pending.
The extensive announcements from Crunchyroll at NYCC 2026 underscore the dynamic growth and global appeal of anime. By embracing diverse content, from webtoon adaptations to video game series and theatrical releases, Crunchyroll is not only catering to existing fans but also broadening the genre’s reach. This commitment to innovation and expansion promises an exciting future for anime enthusiasts worldwide, fostering deeper engagement and a richer viewing experience for a continuously expanding audience.
