News
Funimation Founder Gen Fukunaga Steps Down as GM
posted on by Karen Ressler
Entertainment news website Variety reported on Friday that FUNimation Entertainment founder, president, and CEO Gen Fukunaga has stepped down from his role as general manager and into a chairman role. According to an internal memo from Fukunaga to staff, the company has begun a search for a new general manager, and Fukunaga will "work closely with them to ensure a smooth transition."
Fukunaga said in the memo that he will "continue to have oversight of the business and will focus on managing relationships with our content partners." He will also serve in an advisory capacity.
Fukunaga also commented, "This change has been on the horizon since Sony took a majority interest in the company in 2017. And now is the right time to begin the transition, when Funimation is truly hitting its stride."
Sony Pictures Television Networks acquired a majority stake in Funimation in 2017, at which time Fukunaga retained his position and a minority stake in the business. As a result of the acquisition, Funimation ended its content-sharing partnership with Crunchyroll on November 9. Funimation has now signed a first-look streaming deal with Hulu.
Fukunaga founded Funimation in 1994.
Source: Variety (Todd Spangler)
Update: Funimation confirmed Variety's report with ANN.
Update 2: Fukunaga retained a minority stake and not a majority stake in Funimation.
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