Copyright Screen Rant
For years, Sony leaned heavily on comic book blockbusters and superhero franchises to fuel its cinematic empire. But after Netflix’s One Piece live-action series stunned critics and dominated global charts, the studio has clearly seen where the momentum lies. The future, it seems, isn’t in capes and masks, it’s in anime. At the 2025 Tokyo International Film Festival, per Variety, Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP) confirmed what many fans have long suspected: the studio is pivoting toward live-action adaptations of beloved Japanese anime and manga. The move comes as anime continues to outperform Hollywood tentpoles, with films like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc rewriting box office history. Anime’s Box Office Boom Is Redefining Global Entertainment Anime’s explosion into mainstream culture didn’t happen overnight. From Your Name’s emotional resonance to Demon Slayer’s historic earnings, Japanese animation has evolved into a box office powerhouse. Once considered niche entertainment for devoted fans, anime has now eclipsed Western franchises that once dominated theaters. Sony executives are taking notice. SPIP head Shebnem Askin revealed that the studio is aggressively scouting anime properties for live-action adaptation, describing it as a key pillar of Sony’s international strategy. After One Piece’s live-action success and Kingdom’s strong box office run in Japan, Sony sees anime as fertile ground for globally resonant storytelling. The proof is in the profits. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle shattered Japan’s all-time box office record, while Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc opened at number one worldwide. These weren’t isolated wins, they are proof that anime can now outdraw traditional superhero fare. With audience enthusiasm at record highs, Sony’s bet on anime could be its smartest play in decades. Sony’s Global IP Strategy Goes Local and Live-Action Rather than chasing another Spider-Man spinoff, Sony is investing in stories that already command cultural loyalty. The studio’s approach is surprisingly decentralized: SPIP operates in ten countries, empowering local teams in Japan, Korea, India, and beyond to develop films rooted in regional storytelling. The goal is authenticity over imitation, which is a strategy that aligns perfectly with anime’s global appeal. Askin emphasized collaboration with local producers, acknowledging that great adaptations require cultural fluency. This philosophy helped make Kingdom a hit in Japan and could guide future live-action versions of titles like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, or Attack on Titan. By combining Japanese creative oversight with Sony’s production muscle, the studio hopes to avoid the cultural missteps that doomed earlier Hollywood anime remakes.
