Crunchyroll has acquired a 7.03% stake in Japanese media company Link-U Group through a 917 million yen (approximately $5.9 million) investment, strengthening the companies’ existing partnership around Crunchyroll Manga.
Link-U announced the deal as part of a broader capital and business partnership aimed at expanding manga distribution outside Japan.
Crunchyroll Strengthens Its Manga Business With Link-U Investment
Following the transaction, Crunchyroll becomes the fifth-largest shareholder in Link-U, with the investment supporting the company’s Medium-Term Management Plan 2030. A major focus of the strategy is developing international manga platforms and improving localization so Japanese manga can reach more readers worldwide.
The investment also builds on the companies’ work on Crunchyroll Manga, which launched in the United States and Canada in October 2025. Link-U provides the technology behind the service, while Crunchyroll brings its established global anime audience and brand reach.
The platform has continued expanding its catalog, with publishers including Shueisha, Square Enix, Viz Media, Yen Press and J-Novel Club. Link-U also operates digital manga services such as Comikey and has worked with major platforms including Shueisha’s MANGA Plus and Square Enix’s Manga UP!
The companies’ latest agreement is designed to bring manga and anime closer together while increasing the international value of Japanese intellectual properties. Link-U said its partnership with Crunchyroll will help accelerate the expansion of its overseas manga business and maximize IP value, making the investment an important step in Crunchyroll’s growing push beyond anime streaming.
