Keith Le Goy, chairman of Sony Pictures Television, made a bold declaration at MIPCOM in Cannes: anime and video games are poised to become the dominant forces driving entertainment intellectual property, marking a fundamental shift away from the Marvel and DC comic book franchises that have shaped Hollywood for the past twenty years.

Speaking at the television trade show on Monday, Le Goy acknowledged that “US comic book IP from Marvel and DC isn’t going anywhere, but they no longer hold the absolute leadership position they once had.” He positioned Sony as uniquely prepared to capitalize on this transition, pointing to the company’s ownership of anime streaming service Crunchyroll and its PlayStation gaming division.

Record-Breaking Performance Validates the Strategy

Le Goy’s comments arrive alongside remarkable proof of anime’s commercial power. “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” just became the highest-grossing international film ever released in the United States, pulling in $128.6 million domestically and surpassing the previous record held by “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” The anime film has accumulated over $648 million globally, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of 2025.

“Two of the five highest-grossing films this year globally—Minecraft and Demon Slayer—simply demonstrate the power of video games, anime, and music that truly engage and inspire audiences,” Le Goy told the MIPCOM audience. Sony’s video game adaptations have also found success, with HBO’s “The Last of Us” and Peacock’s “Twisted Metal” earning critical acclaim alongside strong viewership numbers.

Why Audiences Are Looking Beyond Superheroes

The timing of Sony’s statement reflects broader industry patterns showing genuine audience fatigue with superhero content. A recent survey found that 29% of American anime viewers specifically cited “fatigue from Hollywood sequels and remakes (such as Star Wars, Marvel, DC)” as a reason for their viewing preferences. Meanwhile, Marvel’s 2025 releases have underperformed significantly: the average MCU film showed a 24.9% drop in domestic box office and a 44.9% decline in worldwide revenue compared to previous installments.

Sony’s Calculated Investments Pay Off

Sony acquired Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion in 2021, merging it with Funimation to create what Le Goy described as an “incredibly successful” anime empire. The combined platform now serves over 120 million registered users across more than 200 countries. Le Goy emphasized that Sony’s Japanese parent company remains “1000%” committed to pursuing additional acquisitions in this space.

The strategic positioning gives Sony access to both content creation and distribution channels. With PlayStation providing direct connection to gaming audiences and Crunchyroll dominating anime streaming, the company has built infrastructure that competitors struggle to replicate. This vertical integration allows Sony to develop properties across multiple platforms while maintaining control over the entire production and distribution pipeline.

As traditional superhero franchises face declining returns and audience interest, Sony’s early investments in anime and gaming IP appear increasingly prescient. The company isn’t just predicting where entertainment is heading—it’s actively shaping that future through strategic acquisitions and content development that resonates with evolving viewer preferences.