Sony is preparing a new entertainment experience for PlayStation 5 (PS5) owners , bringing anime content even closer to the console's main interface. Starting in Spring 2027, users are expected to gain access to a dedicated hub from Crunchyroll , the popular streaming service that has linked its name to the Japanese anime industry.
The announcement was made by PlayStation president Hideaki Nishino , who described the initiative as a way to bring together two communities with significant overlap: that of gamers and that of anime fans . The new feature does not mean that Crunchyroll will appear for the first time on the PS5, as the app is already available on the console. The main change concerns the way users will discover and access related content.
A dedicated Crunchyroll hub on the PS5 main menu
According to the announcement, the dedicated hub is expected to become available in Spring 2027, offering a more direct route to the world of anime through the PlayStation 5 environment.
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Until now, console owners could use the Crunchyroll app to watch series and other available content, as long as they had access to the service. With the new approach, Sony seeks to give greater visibility to anime, integrating it more meaningfully into the experience console.
A dedicated hub can act as a central point of reference for interested parties, reducing the steps required to locate the desired service. At the same time, integration into the PS5 environment can facilitate the discovery of new series by users who until now used their console mainly for gaming.
At this time, not all of the features the new hub will include have been specified. It remains unknown whether it will offer personalized recommendations, special series collections, thematic sections, or other features beyond easier access to Crunchyroll.
Sony: Gaming and anime have something in common
Hideaki Nishino highlighted that the anime and video game communities have significant overlap, which creates fertile ground for the development of new entertainment experiences on PlayStation.
The logic behind the initiative is relatively simple: many gamers are also interested in series, films and characters from Japanese culture. Correspondingly, many anime fans are actively involved in video games, especially when they are based on well-known franchises or offer a similar aesthetic and narrative approach.
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Better connecting the two categories could strengthen the PS5's role as a home entertainment device rather than just a gaming machine. The console already has streaming and media apps, and the inclusion of services like Crunchyroll could give users an extra reason to stay in the PlayStation ecosystem even when they're not playing.
For Sony, this move is part of a broader effort to connect different forms of entertainment around its platforms.
The Crunchyroll acquisition and Sony's strategy
Sony's relationship with Crunchyroll is not new. The company completed its acquisition of the service in 2021 for approximately $1.175 billion, significantly strengthening its presence in the global anime market.
The acquisition of Crunchyroll gave Sony access to a niche platform with an international audience and a significant catalog of content. In a market where streaming services compete for subscribers' attention, specializing in specific categories can be a significant advantage.
Integrating Crunchyroll into the PlayStation environment offers the opportunity to leverage this investment across multiple touchpoints. This is not necessarily a new service, but an effort to make an already available service more visible and accessible to console owners.
At the same time, Sony can strengthen the connection between gaming and anime, two sectors in which it operates with different products and business activities.
What the change means for PS5 owners
For users, the biggest benefit is expected to be easier access to content. If the new hub is implemented in a way that seamlessly integrates into the home screen, it could reduce the need to search for the app among available entertainment options.
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However, the announcement does not confirm that access to Crunchyroll will be free or that subscription terms will change. Users will have to wait for more information about available features, the markets in which the hub will be offered, and how it will connect to the existing app.
The same goes for the possibility of exclusive offers or special collaborations around popular series. Until there is an official update, such possibilities remain open questions and not confirmed features.
Spring 2027 is therefore the time frame for Sony's next move in this area. Crunchyroll's new hub aims to bring anime closer to PlayStation 5 players, strengthening the console's position as a complete digital entertainment center.
