James Gunn Attends Inaugural Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum
Crunchyroll's forum drew a Hollywood director and a rapper to an industry-facing event, signaling anime's growing crossover into mainstream entertainment circles.
Reporting from 1 source: Anime News Network.
James Gunn posted a photo on Wednesday with rapper Big Sean at the first Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum at the Javits Center in New York City. Gunn captioned it, "Always good catching up with my pal, this time at the Anime Future Forum." The event, announced by Crunchyroll in May 2026, brought together creators and industry voices, featuring a keynote, interactive sessions, and technology experiences.
The Anime Future Forum website describes the event as gathering "creators, innovators, and industry voices defining anime today and where it goes next." Its program included a keynote, interactive sessions, hands-on technology experiences, and networking. Crunchyroll announced the event in May 2026. Gunn and Big Sean's connection goes back to a 2024 Complex interview where the rapper said they were once neighbors, and that Gunn invited him to visit the set of Superman.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Anime News Network Interest James Gunn, Big Sean Catch Up at Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum