Crunchyroll on HBO Max; appoints Lai-Hung
May 28, 2020
HBO Max launched in the US on May 27th with anime and manga streamer Crunchyroll as part of its extensive line-up.
Subscribers can watch 17 top anime series including Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Keep Your Hands off Eizouken! and Bungo Stray Dogs to name a few on the platform from launch.
Additionally, each quarter Crunchyroll will curate additional top anime titles for HBO Max cultivating fresh offerings that appeal to new and existing anime fans.
“Anime is a celebrated, diverse art form with a rich culture rooted in imaginative worlds and vibrant characters. Crunchyroll has centralised these fantastic adventures for everyone to enjoy,” said Kevin Reilly, Chief Content Officer, HBO Max, President, TNT, TBS, and truTV. “This WarnerMedia family collaboration is bringing together an incredible collection of content with a passionate fandom and HBO Max is tottemo ureshiii to expand the reach of this inventive artistry.”
“The HBO brand is known for premiere content and innovative storytelling. By bringing series from Crunchyroll to HBO Max, we hope to introduce anime to a wider audience who appreciates compelling stories told through this dynamic medium,” added Joanne Waage, General Manager, Crunchyroll. “Together with HBO Max, we are delivering the maximum reach for these incredible anime series, and we can’t wait for new fans to fall in love with anime.”
Meanwhile, Crunchyroll has announced that Julian Lai-Hung has been appointed as the Head of Content Strategy & Business Development focused on Japan and Asia-Pacific.
Lai-Hung’s career in video streaming spans original production, licensing, and acquisition having spent time at Netflix where he helped launch the service in Japan and oversaw the global anime category as Director of Content and Anime in the region. He was aslo VP of International Digital Distribution and Global Sales at Warner Bros.
“I have a deep respect for Anime creators and I am thrilled to be joining the biggest anime brand on the planet. I can’t wait to work with our partners in Japan to keep delighting fans across the globe” said Lai-Hung.