Creative Executive

Crunchyroll · Tokyo

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Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between US-based Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Japan's Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.

About the role

The Creative Executive will identify, develop, and oversee scripted film and television projects based on Japanese IP, with a primary focus on manga, anime, and novels, taking projects from development through packaging, production, and distribution. You will work closely with the U.S. studio and production teams. You will serve as a creative and cultural bridge between Japanese IP partners and U.S. stakeholders while championing the integrity of the underlying IP throughout the project lifecycle.

In the role of Creative Executive, you will report to the Head of Crunchyroll Storyworks.

We are considering applicants for the location of Tokyo, Japan.

Core Areas of Responsibility

• Identify, source, and evaluate Japanese manga, anime, and novels for film and television adaptation, while proactively exploring emerging and less conventional sources of Japanese IP. 
• Develop an authoritative command of each assigned IP, serving as its leading internal creative expert and advocate to guide informed creative decision-making. 
• Evaluate underlying IP, scripts, pitches, treatments, and outlines for creative quality, commercial potential, and suitability for adaptation. 
• Evaluate and translate film and television scripts, treatments, pitches, and other creative materials between Japanese and English, conveying creative intent, tone, nuance, and cultural context beyond literal translation. 
• Provide cultural context and perspective to Japanese and U.S. creative partners, bridging differences in storytelling conventions, audience expectations, and cultural references. 
• Lead projects from development and packaging through production and distribution, driving stakeholder alignment around three core objectives: authenticity to the source IP, commercial success, and creative excellence. 
• Develop and package projects with the appropriate writers, directors, lead actors, and producers, and work with internal partners to establish a production scope and budget that support the project's creative and commercial objectives. 
• Cultivate trusted relationships with Japanese IP partners and the U.S. creative community, serving as a key liaison between Japan and U.S. studio and production teams to bridge creative, cultural, and business perspectives. 
• Develop and oversee pitches, presentations, and other creative materials, and present projects and recommendations to senior management with a clear, well-supported creative point of view. 
• Engage with fans and relevant audience communities to gather informed feedback and insights, helping identify creative choices that could materially conflict with the core DNA, expectations, and cultural significance of the IP. 
• Collaborate closely with business affairs, legal, finance, production, research, marketing, distribution, and other internal teams throughout the project lifecycle to ensure project objectives are achieved. 
• Track Japanese manga, anime, and publishing trends, emerging creators and IP, audience tastes, and developments across the global film and television marketplace.

About You

• 12+ years of relevant experience in scripted film and/or television development and production at a studio, streamer, production company, or other major entertainment organization. 
• Deep understanding of the Japanese manga publishing and anime industries, including their creative, business, and rights-holder ecosystems. 
• Extensive experience and established credibility within the Japanese entertainment industry, with the professional judgment and cultural fluency necessary to earn the trust and respect of senior Japanese publishing, manga, and anime industry executives and creative partners. 
• Expansive knowledge of Japanese IP and strong intellectual curiosity to continually discover and pursue compelling source material, spanning novels, manga, anime, and other areas of Japanese storytelling and popular culture. 
• Native to Business level Japanese and English skills, with the ability to evaluate and translate film and television scripts and sophisticated creative materials in both directions while conveying creative intent, nuance, and cultural context. 
• Demonstrated ability to shepherd projects from development and talent packaging through production and distribution, with an understanding of budgeting and commercial considerations. 
• Strong creative judgment and sophisticated understanding of feature-film and episodic storytelling, production, and the global entertainment marketplace. 
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to build alignment, influence senior executives and creative partners, and drive decisions that balance authenticity, commercial success, and creative excellence. 
• Excellent editorial, analytical, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to operate effectively across Japanese and American creative and professional environments. 
• Experience adapting Japanese IP for U.S. or global audiences and established relationships within the U.S. creative community are strongly preferred. 
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

About the Team

Our Film & Television Creative team identifies, develops, and oversees scripted adaptations of Japanese IP—including manga, anime, and novels—from early development through production and distribution. Based across Tokyo and the U.S., the team partners closely with creators, rights holders, and internal stakeholders to bring culturally authentic, creatively excellent stories to global audiences.

Why you will love working at Crunchyroll

In addition to getting to work with fun, passionate and inspired colleagues, you will also enjoy the following benefits and perks:

• Competitive Salary
• Health Insurance through Sony Kenko Hoken Kumiai
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Allowances for Gym & Wellness, Cellphone, Meals, Commuting
• Crunchyroll Premium account
• Professional Development
• Company's Paid Parental Leave
  • up to 22 weeks for birthing parents
  • up to 12 weeks for non-birthing parents
• Hybrid Work Schedule
• Paid Time Off
• Flex Time Off
• 5 Yasumi Days
• Half-Day Fridays during the summer
• 3 Obon Summer Yasumi Days
• Winter Break

#LifeAtCrunchyroll #LI-Hybrid 

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