Creative Executive for Japanese Media Adaptations

This is a Full Time Job

About the role

The Creative Executive will identify, develop, and oversee scripted film and television projects based on Japanese manga, anime, and novels, taking projects from development through packaging, production, and distribution. Working closely with Studio Japan team members, you will serve as a creative and cultural bridge between Japanese IP partners and U.S. production and studio executives, while championing the integrity of the underlying IP throughout the entire project lifecycle.

In the role of Creative Executive, you will report to the Head of Crunchyroll Storyworks.

We are considering applicants for the location of Los Angeles, CA.

Core Areas of Responsibility
• Identify, source, and evaluate Japanese manga, anime, and novels for film and television adaptation.
• Develop an authoritative command of each assigned IP, serving as its leading internal creative expert and advocate to guide informed creative decision-making.
• Evaluate underlying IP, scripts, pitches, treatments, and outlines for creative quality, commercial potential, and suitability for adaptation.
• Lead projects through the full creative lifecycle—from development and packaging through production, post-production, and distribution—maintaining a consistent creative vision and protecting the core integrity of the underlying IP at every stage.
• Develop and package projects with the appropriate writers, directors, lead actors, and producers, and work with internal partners to establish a production scope and budget that support the project's creative vision and commercial objectives.
• Lead stakeholder conversations toward the optimal balance of three core objectives:
• Authenticity to the source IP, commercial success, and creative excellence.
• Clearly articulate a creative point of view.
• Build alignment among diverse stakeholders, and persuasively advocate for decisions that advance all three objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with U.S. writers, directors, producers, actors, agents and managers, while cultivating trusted relationships with Japanese authors, publishers, editors, creators and rights holders in partnership with Studio Japan team members.
• Serve as a key liaison between Japanese IP partners and U.S. studio executives, producers, and filmmakers, bridging creative intent, cultural context, and development and production practices.
• Develop and oversee pitches, presentations, and other creative materials, and present projects and recommendations to senior management with a clear, well-supported creative point of view.
• Engage with fans and relevant audience communities to gather informed feedback and insights, helping identify creative choices that could materially conflict with the core DNA, expectations, and cultural significance of the IP.
• Collaborate closely with business affairs, legal, finance, production, research, marketing, distribution, and other internal teams throughout the project lifecycle to ensure project objectives are achieved.
• Track Japanese manga, anime, and publishing trends, audience tastes, and the global film and television marketplace.

About You

We get excited about candidates, like you, because...
• 12 years of relevant experience in scripted film and/or television development and production at a studio, streamer, production company, agency, or management company.
• Demonstrated ability to shepherd projects from development and talent packaging through production and post-production, with an understanding of budgeting and distribution considerations.
• Strong creative judgment and understanding of feature-film and episodic storytelling, production, and the global entertainment marketplace.
• Demonstrated experience developing, adapting, and shepherding established IP into compelling live-action television and/or film.
• Strong knowledge of Japanese entertainment and the Japanese IP ecosystem, particularly manga, anime, and novels.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to build alignment, influence senior executives and creative partners, and drive decisions that balance authenticity, commercial success, and creative excellence.
• Excellent editorial, analytical, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to operate effectively across Japanese and American creative and professional environments.
• Experience adapting Japanese IP for U.S. or global audiences and established relationships within the U.S. and/or Japanese creative communities are strongly preferred.
• Japanese-language proficiency preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

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