SDCC ’25: Crunchyroll to launch Anime Nights beginning in October

At its press breakfast at Comic-Con, Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini announced the launch of a new monthly anime program called Anime Nights, debuting on October 20 at select theaters around the U.S. Theaters will screen featured anime films every third Monday of the month. The 2025 lineup will kick off with Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid in October, followed by Overlord in November. According to Crunchyroll news, December will feature a sneak peek at an upcoming film.

Nicholas Friedman speaks to Rahul Purini at the Crunchyroll press breakfast July 26, 2025.

“This is going to be a monthly theatrical program that’s really designed to honor both the past, the present, and the future of anime,” said Purini. “We talk a lot about community, and it is about getting together in real life at Comic-Con and Anime Expo. You get the energy and the joy that comes with that, but not everybody has a chance to go to the convention. But everybody can get to their local cinema and sit in a theater with 200 fans and have that experience.”

Purini was joined onstage by Gita Rebbaprageda, Mitchel Berger, and moderator Nicholas Friedman to discuss the company’s latest offerings, including Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba (Infinity Castle) (premiering August 11 worldwide and September 12 in the U.S.) and several special premiere screenings announced at Anime Expo. Also revealed were updates to the Games Vault program, the upcoming release of Isekai for Playstation, and the launch of the Crunchyroll digital manga app later this year. Berger also announced a special Demon Slayer event to be held at an upcoming Dodgers game.

Crunchyroll, which currently boasts 17 million subscribers, is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy that includes releasing 50 to 60 new shows each season and anime accessibility through other forms of media. Purini predicts anime fandom will reach two billion by 2030, with nearly half of all individuals between the ages of 13 and 54 identifying as anime fans.

Stay tuned to The Beat for more coverage from SDCC ’25.