Cineverse's RetroCrush Acquires Exclusive Streaming Rights to Classic Sci-Fi Anime Series "Future Boy Conan" from GKIDS
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS) has secured exclusive streaming rights to the classic anime series 'Future Boy Conan' for its RetroCrush platform through a multi-year deal with GKIDS. The 26-episode series, marking Hayao Miyazaki's directorial debut, will stream weekly in the U.S. starting April 18, 2025.
RetroCrush, celebrating its 5th anniversary, has shown significant growth with:
- 137% increase in paid subscribers since 2021
- 2.2 million social media followers, doubled since Cineverse's acquisition
The series will also be featured in a special 'A Very Hayao Miyazaki Earth Day' marathon on RetroCrush's FAST channel. Additionally, the RetroCrush Podcast will include a weekly anime club discussing Future Boy Conan episodes, hosted by social media influencer Tha Storm. This marks Cineverse's second exclusive deal with GKIDS for RetroCrush, following Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water.
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS) ha acquisito i diritti di streaming esclusivi per la serie anime classica 'Future Boy Conan' per la sua piattaforma RetroCrush attraverso un accordo pluriennale con GKIDS. La serie di 26 episodi, che segna il debutto alla regia di Hayao Miyazaki, sarà disponibile in streaming settimanalmente negli Stati Uniti a partire dal 18 aprile 2025.
RetroCrush, che celebra il suo quinto anniversario, ha mostrato una crescita significativa con:
- un aumento del 137% degli abbonati paganti dal 2021
- 2,2 milioni di follower sui social media, raddoppiati dall'acquisizione da parte di Cineverse
La serie sarà inoltre presentata in un maratona speciale 'Una Giornata della Terra molto Hayao Miyazaki' sul canale FAST di RetroCrush. Inoltre, il RetroCrush Podcast includerà un club settimanale di anime che discuterà gli episodi di Future Boy Conan, ospitato dall'influencer dei social media Tha Storm. Questo segna il secondo accordo esclusivo di Cineverse con GKIDS per RetroCrush, dopo Nadia: Il Segreto dell'Acqua Blu.
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS) ha asegurado los derechos de transmisión exclusivos de la serie de anime clásica 'Future Boy Conan' para su plataforma RetroCrush a través de un acuerdo multianual con GKIDS. La serie de 26 episodios, que marca el debut como director de Hayao Miyazaki, se transmitirá semanalmente en EE. UU. a partir del 18 de abril de 2025.
RetroCrush, que celebra su quinto aniversario, ha mostrado un crecimiento significativo con:
- un aumento del 137% en suscriptores de pago desde 2021
- 2.2 millones de seguidores en redes sociales, el doble desde la adquisición de Cineverse
La serie también se presentará en un maratón especial 'Un Día de la Tierra Muy Hayao Miyazaki' en el canal FAST de RetroCrush. Además, el RetroCrush Podcast incluirá un club semanal de anime que discutirá episodios de Future Boy Conan, presentado por la influencer de redes sociales Tha Storm. Este es el segundo acuerdo exclusivo de Cineverse con GKIDS para RetroCrush, después de Nadia: El Secreto del Agua Azul.
시네버스 (NASDAQ: CNVS)는 GKIDS와의 다년 계약을 통해 레트로크러쉬 플랫폼에서 고전 애니메이션 시리즈 '퓨처 보이 코난'의 독점 스트리밍 권리를 확보했습니다. 26편의 에피소드로 구성된 이 시리즈는 하야오 미야자키의 감독 데뷔작으로, 2025년 4월 18일부터 미국에서 매주 스트리밍됩니다.
레트로크러쉬는 5주년을 기념하며 다음과 같은 큰 성장을 보여주고 있습니다:
- 2021년 이후 유료 구독자가 137% 증가
- 소셜 미디어 팔로워가 220만 명으로, 시네버스의 인수 이후 두 배로 증가
이 시리즈는 레트로크러쉬의 FAST 채널에서 '하야오 미야자키의 특별한 지구의 날' 마라톤에서도 방영될 예정입니다. 또한, 레트로크러쉬 팟캐스트에서는 소셜 미디어 인플루언서인 타 스톰이 진행하는 퓨처 보이 코난 에피소드를 논의하는 주간 애니메이션 클럽이 포함됩니다. 이는 시네버스가 GKIDS와 레트로크러쉬를 위한 두 번째 독점 계약을 체결한 것으로, 나디아: 푸른 바다의 비밀 이후입니다.
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS) a obtenu les droits de streaming exclusifs de la série anime classique 'Future Boy Conan' pour sa plateforme RetroCrush grâce à un contrat pluriannuel avec GKIDS. La série de 26 épisodes, qui marque les débuts de Hayao Miyazaki en tant que réalisateur, sera diffusée chaque semaine aux États-Unis à partir du 18 avril 2025.
RetroCrush, qui célèbre son cinquième anniversaire, a montré une croissance significative avec:
- une augmentation de 137 % des abonnés payants depuis 2021
- 2,2 millions de followers sur les réseaux sociaux, doublés depuis l'acquisition par Cineverse
La série sera également présentée dans un marathon spécial 'Une Journée de la Terre très Hayao Miyazaki' sur la chaîne FAST de RetroCrush. De plus, le podcast RetroCrush inclura un club hebdomadaire d'anime discutant des épisodes de Future Boy Conan, animé par l'influenceuse des réseaux sociaux Tha Storm. Cela marque le deuxième accord exclusif de Cineverse avec GKIDS pour RetroCrush, après Nadia : Le Secret de l'Eau Bleue.
Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS) hat die exklusiven Streaming-Rechte an der klassischen Anime-Serie 'Future Boy Conan' für seine RetroCrush-Plattform durch einen mehrjährigen Vertrag mit GKIDS gesichert. Die 26-teilige Serie, die Hayao Miyazakis Regiedebüt markiert, wird ab dem 18. April 2025 wöchentlich in den USA gestreamt.
RetroCrush, das sein 5-jähriges Bestehen feiert, hat ein signifikantes Wachstum gezeigt mit:
- einer Steigerung der zahlenden Abonnenten um 137% seit 2021
- 2,2 Millionen Follower in sozialen Medien, die sich seit der Übernahme durch Cineverse verdoppelt haben
Die Serie wird auch in einem speziellen Marathon 'Ein sehr Hayao Miyazaki Tag der Erde' auf dem FAST-Kanal von RetroCrush zu sehen sein. Darüber hinaus wird der RetroCrush-Podcast einen wöchentlichen Anime-Club beinhalten, der die Episoden von Future Boy Conan diskutiert, moderiert von der Social-Media-Influencerin Tha Storm. Dies ist das zweite exklusive Geschäft von Cineverse mit GKIDS für RetroCrush, nach Nadia: Das Geheimnis des blauen Wassers.
- Exclusive streaming rights secured for Miyazaki's directorial debut series
- 137% growth in paid subscribers since 2021
- Social media following doubled to 2.2 million
- Second successful exclusive deal with GKIDS, expanding content portfolio
- None.
Insights
Cineverse's acquisition of exclusive streaming rights to "Future Boy Conan" represents a strategic content play for its RetroCrush anime platform. This Hayao Miyazaki directorial debut brings significant artistic pedigree to their library and creates a genuine differentiator in the competitive streaming landscape.
The deal's structure reveals thoughtful content deployment strategy. By releasing episodes weekly rather than all at once, Cineverse is maximizing engagement through the appointment viewing model that builds anticipation and extends subscriber retention. This approach, paired with dedicated podcast content featuring influencers with 250K+ followers, demonstrates sophisticated cross-platform promotion to drive subscriber acquisition.
RetroCrush's reported +137% subscriber growth since 2021 indicates this niche strategy is gaining traction. By focusing on a specialized content vertical rather than competing broadly with streaming giants, Cineverse has carved out a defensible market position. The doubling of social media followers further validates their content strategy's effectiveness in building community around specialized content.
This marks Cineverse's second deal with GKIDS, suggesting an evolving partnership that could yield additional premium anime acquisitions to further strengthen RetroCrush's content moat. For a specialized platform celebrating its 5th anniversary, securing culturally significant exclusives demonstrates maturation of their content acquisition approach.
For Cineverse (NASDAQ: CNVS), a micro-cap company with $51M market capitalization, this content acquisition represents continued investment in its specialty streaming vertical. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the multi-year structure suggests a measured approach to content investment that avoids overextending the balance sheet.
The 137% subscriber growth since 2021 is the most significant financial indicator in this announcement. For specialty streaming services, subscriber acquisition and retention metrics directly impact revenue predictability. The weekly episode release strategy for "Future Boy Conan" should extend subscriber lifetimes by encouraging sustained engagement over multiple months.
RetroCrush's dual revenue model is noteworthy - combining subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) with free ad-supported television (FAST) channels allows Cineverse to monetize content through both direct consumer relationships and advertising. This maximizes revenue potential from their content investments while creating multiple growth avenues.
Without specific revenue contribution from RetroCrush or acquisition costs, it's difficult to quantify exact financial impact. However, for smaller entertainment companies, building owned intellectual property and distribution channels represents a rational strategy for long-term value creation. The doubling of RetroCrush's social following since acquisition suggests Cineverse's investment thesis in this platform is showing positive engagement signals.
Hayao Miyazaki's Post-apocalyptic Series Joins Growing Streaming Service as RetroCrush Celebrates its 5th Anniversary
RetroCrush Podcast to Include Weekly Anime Club in Friday Episodes, Dedicated to Future Boy Conan
The series, which marked the directorial debut of Academy Award winner Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, The Boy and the Heron), will be available to stream in the
Additionally, the free, ad-supported, streaming television (FAST) version of RetroCrush — available as a linear channel on several popular platforms — will showcase the Future Boy Conan during the "A Very Hayao Miyazaki Earth Day" marathon on April 20, 22, and 27 (beginning at 8 a.m. ET and ending at 4 a.m. ET the next day).
RetroCrush launched as a standalone streaming service five years ago, following a successful debut as a YouTube/social video channel. As of this month, its social media footprint counts 2.2 million followers across platforms, having doubled since Cineverse acquired the streaming brand three years ago. Since 2021, paid subscribers have grown +
"We're thrilled to bring Future Boy Conan to RetroCrush, offering fans the chance to experience a foundational work in animation history," said Cineverse Chief Content Officer Yolanda Macias. "With its blend of breathtaking action, quiet moments of wonder, and a timeless story about survival and resilience, Future Boy Conan is a must-watch for Japanese animation enthusiasts, newcomers, and especially fans of Hayao Miyazaki."
"We are so happy to be working with Retrocrush to celebrate Miayazaki-san's directorial debut and to share this special, landmark program with a combination of loyal fans and new audiences," said GKIDS Director of Home Entertainment Alison Kozberg.
Future Boy Conan takes place in a new world where, twenty years ago, a terrible war fought with magnetic weapons caused the earth's axis to tilt, and earthquakes and tidal waves destroyed civilization. Conan is raised by his adopted grandfather on an isolated island, but his life is forever changed when a mysterious girl named Lana washes ashore, pursued by shadowy operatives who seek to use her in a new scheme to control what's left of the world.
Future Boy Conan marks Cineverse's second RetroCrush exclusive deal with GKIDS, the first being Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. The deal was negotiated by Mary Gibson, acquisitions director, on behalf of Cineverse and Alison Kozberg, GKIDS director of home entertainment, on behalf of GKIDS.
Additionally, the RetroCrush Podcast, hosted by social media stars Tha Storm (250K+ followers, 15M likes on TikTok), will launch a weekly anime club dedicated to Future Boy Conan. Every Friday, as new episodes drop on RetroCrush, they'll recap and discuss the latest batch while exploring how the series helped shape globally beloved anime like One Piece and Hunter X Hunter.
Since its launch in late 2024, the RetroCrush Podcast has released 30 episodes, offering fans deep dives into the classic and influential anime that define RetroCrush's library.
Images (copyright NIPPON ANIMATION CO., LTD.): https://spaces.hightail.com/space/1eh92Z4pwi
About GKIDS
GKIDS is the Academy Award-winning producer and distributor of artist-driven and award-winning animation from around the world. After an astounding 13 Best Animated Feature nominations, the company took home the Oscar in 2024 for Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's acclaimed feature, The Boy and the Heron. The company's previous nominations include The Secret of Kells in 2010, A Cat in
About RetroCrush
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,
About Cineverse Streaming
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, The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan, Garfield and Barney, to channels curated for fans of Horror (Screambox, Midnight Pulp), Pan-Asian and Anime (RetroCrush, AsianCrush), Comedy (Comedy Dynamics), Documentary and Crime (Crime Hunters, Docurama), Independent Film (Fandor), Romance and Rom Coms (Dove Channel), to name a few.
About Cineverse
Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS) is a next-generation entertainment studio that empowers creators and entertains fans with a wide breadth of content through the power of technology. It has developed a new blueprint for delivering entertainment experiences to passionate audiences and results for its partners with unprecedented efficiency, and distributes more than 71,000 premium films, series, and podcasts. Cineverse connects fans with bold, authentic, independent stories. Properties include the highest-grossing unrated film in
CONTACTS:
For Media, The Lippin Group for Cineverse
cineverse@lippingroup.com
For Investors, Julie Milstead
investorrelations@cineverse.com
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cineverses-retrocrush-acquires-exclusive-streaming-rights-to-classic-sci-fi-anime-series-future-boy-conan-from-gkids-302418648.html
SOURCE Cineverse Corp.
FAQ
When will Future Boy Conan start streaming on RetroCrush (CNVS)?
How much has RetroCrush's subscriber base grown since Cineverse (CNVS) acquired it?
What is the format of Future Boy Conan's release on RetroCrush (CNVS)?
When will the Future Boy Conan marathon air on RetroCrush's FAST channel?
