Cineverse's RetroCrush Acquires Streaming Rights to Classic Anime Series and Films from VIZ Media
Rhea-AI Summary
Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS) announced that its anime streaming service RetroCrush has secured streaming rights from VIZ Media to a slate of classic anime films and series. The deal brings movies from BLEACH, Hunter x Hunter, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, and NARUTO, plus series such as Captain Tsubasa, Hikaru no Go, Accel World, and Vampire Knight to the RetroCrush SVOD app for the first time.
According to Cineverse, this marks RetroCrush’s first acquisition of content from these major franchises and expands its focus on Golden Age anime. RetroCrush, which already offers more than 200 series and features, is available as a standalone app, SVOD option on multiple platforms, and as a FAST channel on services including Fubo, Philo, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, and others.
Positive
- First VIZ Media franchise deal adds Naruto, Sailor Moon, BLEACH, Hunter x Hunter and more to RetroCrush
- Expands RetroCrush catalog beyond existing 200+ classic anime series and features
- Multi-platform reach via standalone app, SVOD on major services, and FAST channels across numerous distributors
Negative
- None.
News Explained
Cineverse has announced a RetroCrush content deal with VIZ Media, but the listed titles are described as “coming soon”; the disclosure expands programming rights without stating a share issuance or ownership change for existing holders.
Key Figures
Previous Acquisition Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 13 | IndiCue acquisition | Positive | +20.2% | Acquired profitable CTV monetization platform in a transformational deal |
| Feb 12 | IndiCue acquisition | Positive | +20.2% | Announced agreement to acquire IndiCue for cash and stock |
| Jan 07 | Giant Worldwide acquisition | Positive | +0.9% | Acquired media services company and integrated it into Matchpoint |
| Jan 06 | Hulu rights acquisition | Positive | +4.4% | Hulu acquired SVOD rights to The Toxic Avenger |
| Nov 05 | Pan's Labyrinth acquisition | Positive | -2.1% | Acquired North American distribution rights to Pan's Labyrinth |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Tag-specific acquisition history showed four aligned positive reactions and one divergence.
Key Terms
svod technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Contents from popular franchises BLEACH, Hunter x Hunter, Hikaru no Go, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, NARUTO, and more coming soon to the RetroCrush app for the first time
This deal represents RetroCrush's first acquisition of content from the beloved anime franchises, reconnecting fans of these titles with the selection of classic film adaptations. Coming soon to the RetroCrush SVOD app, the newest additions features TV and film titles including:
- Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow – Naruto and his team are sent on a mission to guard Yukie Fujikaze, a popular actress starring in the hit movie "The Adventures of Princess Gale."
- Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon R Movie – Sailor Moon and the Sailor Guardians save Earth from an alien force! Mamoru gave a rose to an alien who helped him with the loss of his parents. His friend has searched for a flower worthy of his gesture, the Xenian flower, which has a very dark side.
- BLEACH: Hell Verse – Ichigo must travel into the depths of Hell to stop a group of vicious Sinners and save his younger sister Yuzu, unaware that his actions could bring Hell to the World of the Living.
- Hunter X Hunter: Phantom Rouge – Someone has stolen Kurapika's eyes—and another survivor from his clan whose members were massacred for their Scarlet Eyes! Gon and Killua begin investigating on his behalf, but shortly after they've begun, the Phantom Troupe appears!
- Hikaru no Go – Hikaru Shindo life changes when he finds an old go board. The ghost of an ancient go master named Fujiwara-no-Sai was trapped in the board and soon becomes a part of Hikaru's consciousness. Together Hikaru and Sai make an unstoppable go-playing team.
- Accel World – The year is 2046. Haruyuki Arita is a young boy who finds himself on the lowest social rungs of his school. Ashamed of his miserable life, Haruyuki can only cope by indulging in virtual games. But that all changes when Kuroyukihime, the most popular girl in school, introduces him to a mysterious program called Brain Burst and a virtual reality called the Accel World.
- Captain Tsubasa – Tsubasa Ozora, young soccer prodigy newly arrived at Nankatsu elementary school. His dream is to conquer the title of national champion.
- Captain Tsubasa: Junior Youth Arc – The International Junior Youth Tournament in
Paris is about to begin, and Tsubasa and team are ready.Japan's elite are to face off against the world's best.Germany's Schneider awaits, along with a host of other new rivals. Let the battle begin! - Vampire Knight – Yuki Cross can't remember anything from before she was saved by Pureblood vampire Kaname Kuran. Now Yuki, and Zero, are Guardians at Cross Academy, where the Day Class and Night Class coexist—despite the fact that the Night Class are all vampires!
"We're thrilled to bring such adored anime franchises like Naruto, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, BLEACH, Hunter X Hunter, Hikaru no Go, and more to RetroCrush, offering fans the chance to take in some of the best moments these franchises have to offer," said Matt Kodner, Programming Manager for RetroCrush. "This new slate gives fans a chance to revisit beloved characters and franchises while discovering new favorites from VIZ Media's deep anime library, including classic sports titles and hidden gems."
RetroCrush is dedicated to the Golden Age of anime, highlighting classic anime movies and series for old and new fans alike. The RetroCrush line-up includes more than 200 series and features. It is available at www.retrocrush.tv and as a standalone app; as a SVOD option on Prime Video Channels, Comcast and The Roku Channel; and as a linear FAST channel on Fubo,
In addition to RetroCrush, Cineverse owns and/or operates a wide range of premium streaming brands, from free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels to subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) apps. These span fandoms – from single IP channels around pop cultural icons such as Bob Ross and The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan, to channels curated for fans of Horror (Screambox, Midnight Pulp), Pan-Asian shows and films (AsianCrush), Comedy (Gorilla Comedy+), Independent Film (Fandor), Romance (Dove Channel) and True Crime (Crime Hunters), to name a few.
About Cineverse
Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS) is an entertainment technology company and studio. Fiercely innovative and independent, Cineverse develops and invests in technology and content that drives the future of the industry. Core to its business is Matchpoint® – a growing tech ecosystem designed to prepare, distribute, monetize, and continuously improve content across any platform. Matchpoint helps studios large and small operate at scale and improve performance and efficiency in an increasingly fragmented distribution environment. Additionally, Cineverse distributes a vast library of premium films, series, and podcasts, across theatrical, home entertainment, and streaming; operates dozens of digital properties that super serve passionate fandoms around the world; and works with leading brands to connect them with audiences they value. From award-winning technology to the highest-grossing unrated film in U.S. history, Cineverse has created a playbook that marries tech and content to redefine the next era of entertainment. For more information, visit cineverse.com.
Investor Contact:
Julie Milstead
investorrelations@cineverse.com
Media Contact:
The Lippin Group for Cineverse
cineverse@lippingroup.com
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SOURCE Cineverse Corp.