Sentai Filmworks#Hidive

{{Infobox company

| name = Sentai Filmworks, LLC

| logo = File:Sentai Filmworks Official Logo.svg

| logo_size = 220px

| genre = Anime

| foundation = {{start date and age|2008|6|4}}{{cite web|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0800987581|access-date=22 April 2023|website=OpenCorporates |title=US Texas Companies|archive-date=October 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011150749/https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0800987581|url-status=live}}

| founder = John Ledford

| key_people = John Ledford (CEO)

| location = 10114 West Sam Houston Parkway
Alief, Houston, Texas 77099

| location_country = U.S.

| area_served = North America, United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark

| products = {{hlist|Anime|Asian cinema|Merchandising|Home video}}

| services = {{hlist|Licensing|publishing|streaming|television}}

| parent = AMC Networks

| divisions = Sentai Studios

| homepage = [http://www.sentaifilmworks.com sentaifilmworks.com]

}}

Sentai Filmworks, LLC (or simply Sentai) is an American entertainment company. Located in Houston, the company specializes in the dubbing and distribution of Japanese animation and Asian cinema. Its post-production arm is Sentai Studios.

The company has its origins in A.D. Vision, which was founded in 1992 by video game fan John Ledford and Matt Greenfield. ADV collapsed due to low sales and eventually liquidated their assets in 2009. Ledford founded Sentai in 2008 and acquired the majority of ADV's titles. Sentai was then acquired by New York City-based AMC Networks in 2022 and became its subsidiary. Its offices are in the International District in Southwest Houston.{{cite web|url=https://imdhouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/1-IDBoundaries.jpg|title=International District Boundaries|publisher=International District (Houston)|date=July 1, 2015|access-date=November 13, 2019|archive-date=May 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505134015/https://imdhouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/1-IDBoundaries.jpg|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/terms-of-use|title=Terms of Use|publisher=Sentai Filmworks|access-date=November 13, 2019|quote=Copyright Agent c/o SENTAI FILMWORKS 10114 W Sam Houston Pkwy S Houston, Texas 77099-5109|archive-date=September 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921024933/https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/terms-of-use|url-status=live}} and [https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/privacy-policy Privacy Policy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114174916/https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/privacy-policy |date=November 14, 2021 }} states: "Attn: SENTAI FILMWORKS Privacy Administration, 10114 W. Sam Houston Parkway South, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77099-5109"

History

=Origins=

In 1990, John Ledford, a native of Houston, started a Japanese video game and video console import business. He was introduced to anime when he watched My Neighbor Totoro at his friend's suggestion. His friend, Matt Greenfield, born in Sacramento, California, ran a local anime club called Anime NASA.{{Cite web |last=Hung |first=Melissa |date=August 2, 2001 |title=Tooned In To Anime |url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/tooned-in-to-anime-6560904 |access-date=May 29, 2015 |website=Houston Press |archive-date=August 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827053635/http://www.houstonpress.com/news/tooned-in-to-anime-6560904 |url-status=live }} Both men established A.D. Vision, which officially opened for business on August 17, 1992. Ledford contacted Toho about optioning the rights to license Devil Hunter Yohko, which became the first title to be released by ADV.{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2004 |title=Why Grow Up? |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0906/178.html |access-date=December 25, 2013 |website=Forbes |archive-date=August 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808023711/http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0906/178.html |url-status=live }}

=Ledford establishes Sentai=

In June 2006, the Japanese Sojitz Corporation acquired a 20% stake in ADV Films. This was done as a means for ADV Films to acquire more titles in the Japanese market.{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2006 |title=ADV Teams up with Sojitz – News |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-06-27/adv-teams-up-with-sojitz |access-date=December 25, 2013 |publisher=Anime News Network |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209235412/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-06-27/adv-teams-up-with-sojitz |url-status=live}} From this point on, virtually all titles that ADV acquired were with Sojitz's help. The following year, Sojitz announced that Japan Content Investments (JCI), Development Bank of Japan, and film distribution company KlockWorx, planned to contribute money to ADV, in return for equity in the company. Ledford was to remain the majority shareholder and CEO. JCI subsidiary ARM also planned to contribute money for ADV to use in acquiring new distribution licenses. The investment was to ADV Films to raise its output of new anime titles, which had dropped in 2006, back to previous levels or above. In return, ADV planned to assist Sojitz with the acquisition of North American and European content for importation into Japan. According to ADV, they also reportedly had "big plans" for its manga line.{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2006 |title=Japanese Investment Bulks Up ADV |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8898.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225140545/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8898.html |archive-date=December 25, 2007 |access-date=December 23, 2007 |publisher=ICv2 News}}

However, in January 2008, ADV mysteriously removed a large number of titles from their website.{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2008 |title=ADV Films Removes Titles from Website – Update – News |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-30/adv-films-removes-titles-from-website-update |access-date=December 25, 2013 |publisher=Anime News Network |archive-date=May 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523132814/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-30/adv-films-removes-titles-from-website-update |url-status=live}} Among the titles which were subsequently removed was Gurren Lagann, which had test disks sent out with dubbed episodes. As a result, ADV sued ARM Corporation and its parent Sojitz for a breach in a contract made previously. In the suit, the exact amount ADV paid to license twenty-nine titles was disclosed. The lawsuit was withdrawn and no ruling was made.{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2012 |title=ADV Court Documents Reveal Amounts Paid for 29 Anime Titles |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-01-30/adv-court-documents-reveal-amounts-paid-for-29-anime-titles |access-date=February 6, 2021 |publisher=Anime News Network |archive-date=February 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205021914/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-01-30/adv-court-documents-reveal-amounts-paid-for-29-anime-titles |url-status=live }} That July, Funimation announced the acquisition of thirty of these titles licensed by Sojitz from ADV.{{Cite web |title=Your Comic Book, Fantasy, SciFi, Horror & Anime Source - Mania.com |url=http://www.animeondvd.com/news/pr.php?pr_view=1438 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080711133157/http://www.animeondvd.com/news/pr.php?pr_view=1438 |archive-date=July 11, 2008 |access-date=April 14, 2015 |publisher=Anime on DVD}}

Ledford established Sentai Filmworks in October 2008.{{Cite web |title=ADV Films to Distribute Anime for Sentai Filmworks (Update 2) – News |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-10-20/adv-films-to-distribute-anime-for-sentai-filmworks |access-date=December 25, 2013 |publisher=Anime News Network |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923083833/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-10-20/adv-films-to-distribute-anime-for-sentai-filmworks |url-status=live }} Among its first titles to be released were Clannad, Princess Resurrection, Indian Summer, Appleseed and Mahoromatic (formerly licensed by Geneon).{{cite news|title=Half-Season Princess Resurrection, Clannad Sets Slated|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-12/half-season-princess-resurrection-clannad-sets-slated |newspaper=Anime News Network |access-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905170103/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-12/half-season-princess-resurrection-clannad-sets-slated|archive-date=September 5, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-10-20/adv-films-to-distribute-anime-for-sentai-filmworks|title=ADV Films to Distribute Anime for Sentai Filmworks|publisher=Anime News Network|date=October 20, 2008|access-date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923083833/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-10-20/adv-films-to-distribute-anime-for-sentai-filmworks|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=live}} On September 1, 2009, ADV had closed its doors and sold off its assets, which included transferring distribution rights to Section23 Films.{{cite web|title=ADV Films Shuts Down, Parent Transfers Assets to Other Companies|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-09-01/adv-films-shuts-down-transfers-assets-to-other-companies |publisher=Anime News Network |date=September 1, 2009|access-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003054028/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-09-01/adv-films-shuts-down-transfers-assets-to-other-companies|archive-date=October 3, 2009|url-status=live}}

On July 4, 2013, during its industry panel at Anime Expo, Sentai Filmworks announced its plans to release a number of classic titles from Tatsunoko Production.{{cite web|title=Sentai Filmworks Signs Deal with Tatsunoko Production|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-04/sentai-filmworks-signs-deal-with-tatsunoko-production |publisher=Anime News Network |date=July 4, 2013|access-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922183751/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-04/sentai-filmworks-signs-deal-with-tatsunoko-production|archive-date=September 22, 2015|url-status=live}} The current list of released titles from the partnership include the original Gatchaman series and movie, Time Bokan: Royal Revival, and Casshan, and more titles followed.

Sunrise announced a licensing deal with Sentai Filmworks that included a number of titles from Sunrise's library that were formerly licensed by Bandai Entertainment during its Otakon panel on August 8, 2013.{{cite web|title=Sentai Filmworks Adds Sacred Seven, Big O, Kurokami, More|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-08-10/sentai-filmworks-adds-sacred-seven-big-o-kurokami-more |publisher=Anime News Network |date=August 8, 2013|access-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924220043/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-08-10/sentai-filmworks-adds-sacred-seven-big-o-kurokami-more|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live}}

=Later history=

In 2014, Sentai opened its in-house localization and recording facility, Sentai Studios.{{cite web|last1=Sentai Filmworks|title=Ask Sentai #18: Nozaki-kun Box Sets and Sentai Studios|url=http://www.sentaifilmworks.com/news/ask-sentai-18-nozaki-kun-box-sets-and-sentai-studios|website=SentaiFilmworks.com|publisher=Sentai Filmworks|access-date=January 31, 2016|date=September 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309055228/http://www.sentaifilmworks.com/news/ask-sentai-18-nozaki-kun-box-sets-and-sentai-studios|archive-date=March 9, 2016|url-status=live}}

On June 1, 2015, Sentai made an announcement on its website that Akame ga Kill! had been picked up by Adult Swim for broadcast on its Toonami programming block, almost one week after its announcement at MomoCon 2015.{{cite web|last1=Sentai Filmworks|title=Akame Ga Kill! Infiltrates Toonami|url=http://www.sentaifilmworks.com/news/akame-ga-kill-infiltrates-toonami|website=SentaiFilmworks.com|publisher=Sentai Filmworks|access-date=January 31, 2016|date=June 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305094442/http://www.sentaifilmworks.com/news/akame-ga-kill-infiltrates-toonami|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-30/adult-swim-toonami-to-run-akame-ga-kill-michiko-and-hatchin/.88740|title=Adult Swim's Toonami to Run Akame ga Kill, Michiko & Hatchin|access-date=April 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313221908/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-30/adult-swim-toonami-to-run-akame-ga-kill-michiko-and-hatchin/.88740|archive-date=March 13, 2016|url-status=live}} The show began airing on the broadcast night of August 8, 2015, and its premiere night was one of the most watched programs in the block's history with over 1.8 million viewers.{{cite web|last1=Sentai Filmworks|title=AKAME GA KILL! BECOMES MOST WATCHED SERIES PREMIERE IN TOONAMI™ HISTORY|url=https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/news/akame-ga-kill-becomes-most-watched-series-premiere-in-toonami-history|website=SentaiFilmworks.com|publisher=Sentai Filmworks|access-date=January 31, 2015|date=August 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506145336/http://www.sentaifilmworks.com/news/akame-ga-kill-becomes-most-watched-series-premiere-in-toonami-history|archive-date=May 6, 2016|url-status=live}} Later that year, Parasyte -the maxim-, premiered on October 3.{{cite web|last1=Sentai Filmworks|title=Anime Expo 2015 Announcements Rundown|url=http://www.sentaifilmworks.com/news/anime-expo-2015-announcements-rundown|website=SentaiFilmworks.com|publisher=Sentai Filmworks|access-date=January 31, 2016|date=July 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224220330/http://www.sentaifilmworks.com/news/anime-expo-2015-announcements-rundown|archive-date=February 24, 2016|url-status=live}} Sentai has promoted the time that the two shows air as "#SentaiHour" on social media. On July 6, 2019, Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma began airing on Toonami.{{cite web|first=Rafael Antonio|last=Pineda|title=Toonami Premieres Food Wars! Anime on July 6|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-06-28/toonami-premieres-food-wars-anime-on-july-6/.148366|publisher=Anime News Network|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=February 12, 2021|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216224407/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-06-28/toonami-premieres-food-wars-anime-on-july-6/.148366|url-status=live}}

In March 2017, Sentai signed a deal with Amazon to stream the majority of its new licensees exclusively on its Anime Strike channel on Amazon Prime Video in the United States, starting with the Spring 2017 season.{{cite web|title=Anime Strike Spring Season Schedule|url=https://twitter.com/i/moments/852559558870351872|website=Twitter|publisher=AnimeStrike|access-date=December 29, 2017}} After Anime Strike was shuttered in early 2018, all titles previously exclusive to the service were made available to Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. at no extra charge.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/5/16854300/amazon-cancels-anime-strike-exclusives-shows-films|title=Amazon closes Anime Strike and includes exclusive anime in Prime Video|first=Shannon|last=Liao|date=January 5, 2018|website=The Verge|access-date=April 22, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025230223/https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/5/16854300/amazon-cancels-anime-strike-exclusives-shows-films|url-status=live}}

The company launched its own streaming service HIDIVE in June 2017.{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2017 |title=New Anime Streaming Service, HIDIVE, Launches as Beta with Dubs, Live-Chat, and More |url=https://www.hidive.com/news/2017/6/21/new-anime-streaming-service-hidive-launches-as-beta-with-dubs-live-chat-and-more |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006154821/https://www.hidive.com/news/2017/6/21/new-anime-streaming-service-hidive-launches-as-beta-with-dubs-live-chat-and-more |archive-date=2018-10-06 |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=www.hidive.com}}

On July 18, 2019, Sentai Filmworks launched a GoFundMe appeal in the wake of the arson attack at Kyoto Animation.{{cite web |last=Dassanayake |first=Dion |date=July 18, 2019 |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/1154939/Kyoto-Animation-fire-fundraiser-anime-studio-arson-attack |title=Kyoto Animation fire: Fundraiser started after deadly anime studio 'arson attack' |website=Daily Express |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718112415/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/1154939/Kyoto-Animation-fire-fundraiser-anime-studio-arson-attack |url-status=live |archive-date=July 18, 2019}} With a target of US$750,000, it surpassed the $1 million donation mark within the first 24 hours, and reached $2,370,910 at closing.{{cite web |last=Burke |first=Kelly |date=July 18, 2019 |url=https://7news.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/you-die-arsonist-kills-at-least-33-people-in-kyoto-animation-studio-fire-c-354701 |title='You die!' Arsonist kills at least 33 people in Kyoto animation studio fire |website=7News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719000310/http://7news.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/you-die-arsonist-kills-at-least-33-people-in-kyoto-animation-studio-fire-c-354701 |url-status=live |archive-date=July 19, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/several-feared-dead-in-japan-studio-fire/news-story/0bdd3a87c2e00c00ee86dc46d9636c16|title='You die!': Arson suspect's chilling scream|date=July 19, 2019|website=NewsComAu|access-date=July 19, 2019|archive-date=July 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718183407/https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/several-feared-dead-in-japan-studio-fire/news-story/0bdd3a87c2e00c00ee86dc46d9636c16|url-status=live}}

On August 1, 2019, Sentai Filmworks' parent company Sentai Holdings, LLC announced that the Cool Japan Fund invested {{USD|30 million}} for shares of the company, stating that "Sentai's independent status makes it a rarity in North America as a licensor of Japanese anime".{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-08-02/cool-japan-fund-invests-usd30-million-in-sentai-holdings/.149593|title=Cool Japan Fund Invests US$30 Million in Sentai Holdings (Update)|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|date=August 2, 2019|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802152037/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-08-02/cool-japan-fund-invests-usd30-million-in-sentai-holdings/.149593|url-status=live}} On September 30, 2020, the Cool Japan Fund made an additional {{USD|3.6 million}} available, stating that Sentai had achieved better financial results in 2019 compared to 2018, with plans for medium and long-term growth, and strategic changes following the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-10-03/cool-japan-fund-makes-additional-3.6-million-available-to-sentai-holdings/.164845|title=Cool Japan Fund Makes Additional $3.6 Million Available to Sentai Holdings|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|date=October 3, 2020|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=October 4, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006084648/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-10-03/cool-japan-fund-makes-additional-3.6-million-available-to-sentai-holdings/.164845|url-status=live}}

On September 5, 2020, Crunchyroll announced that they had entered in a partnership with Sentai Filmworks to distribute Crunchyroll licensed titles onto home video and electronic sell-through, with Granbelm, Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma: The Fourth Plate, Ascendance of a Bookworm, and World Trigger being the first titles distributed through the partnership.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-09-05/crunchyroll-sentai-filmworks-partner-for-home-video-releases/.163655|title=Crunchyroll, Sentai Filmworks Partner for Home Video Releases|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|date=September 5, 2020|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=September 6, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907010616/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-09-05/crunchyroll-sentai-filmworks-partner-for-home-video-releases/.163655|url-status=live}}

=AMC ownership=

On January 5, 2022, AMC Networks acquired Sentai Filmworks and its parent company Sentai Holdings, LLC, including the Hidive streaming service, and the Anime Network.{{cite web | url=https://kotaku.com/amc-gets-serious-about-anime-by-acquiring-sentai-filmwo-1848312571/ | title=AMC Gets Serious About Anime by Acquiring Sentai Filmworks and Hidive | date=January 6, 2022 | access-date=September 22, 2022 | archive-date=September 28, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928051250/https://kotaku.com/amc-gets-serious-about-anime-by-acquiring-sentai-filmwo-1848312571 | url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/amc-networks-made-in-abyss-anime-sentai-hidive-1235147279/|title=AMC Networks Acquires 'Made in Abyss' Distributor Sentai and Anime Streamer HIDIVE|date=January 5, 2022|website=Variety|access-date=January 5, 2022|last=Maas|first=Jennifer|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105213756/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/amc-networks-made-in-abyss-anime-sentai-hidive-1235147279/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=AMC NETWORKS ACQUIRES LEADING GLOBAL ANIME DISTRIBUTOR SENTAI, INCLUDING DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ANIME PLATFORM HIDIVE|url=https://www.amcnetworks.com/press-releases/amc-networks-acquires-leading-global-anime-distributor-sentai-including-direct-to-consumer-anime-platform-hidive/|date=January 5, 2022|publisher=AMC Networks|access-date=January 10, 2022|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111091811/https://www.amcnetworks.com/press-releases/amc-networks-acquires-leading-global-anime-distributor-sentai-including-direct-to-consumer-anime-platform-hidive/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cj-fund.co.jp/en/files/press_220114-en.pdf|title=Cool Japan Fund Transfers Member Interests in Sentai Holdings, LLC|publisher=Cool Japan Fund|date=January 14, 2022|access-date=January 31, 2022|archive-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131111325/https://www.cj-fund.co.jp/en/files/press_220114-en.pdf|url-status=live}} Prior to the sale, in August 2021, Sony's Funimation Global Group (a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Aniplex) acquired Ellation, the parent company of Crunchyroll, from AT&T's WarnerMedia (later spun out by AT&T and merged with Discovery, Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery), and later on, in March 2022, Funimation would be rebranded as Crunchyroll, LLC. This would eventually lead to several Sentai titles departing from the Crunchyroll streaming service on March 31, 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2022/03/24/food-wars-is-it-wrong-to-pick-up-girls-in-a-dungeon-and-more-are-leaving-crunchyroll | title=Food Wars, is It Wrong to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? And More Are Leaving Crunchyroll | website=Crunchyroll | date=March 24, 2022 | access-date=September 22, 2022 | archive-date=March 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325082132/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2022/03/24/food-wars-is-it-wrong-to-pick-up-girls-in-a-dungeon-and-more-are-leaving-crunchyroll }}

After Right Stuf was acquired by Sony in August 2022, Sentai announced on March 7, 2023, that all future home releases from them along with Section23 Films would be distributed by Distribution Solutions (DS), the releasing unit of wholesaler Alliance Entertainment, on April 3.{{cite web | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-06/distribution-solutions-to-distribute-sentai-filmworks-section-23-home-video-releases/.195661 | title=Distribution Solutions to Distribute Sentai Filmworks/Section 23's Home Video Releases | access-date=March 8, 2023 | archive-date=March 8, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308144701/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-06/distribution-solutions-to-distribute-sentai-filmworks-section-23-home-video-releases/.195661 | url-status=live }}

On March 2, 2023, Sentai announced that they had entered in a partnership and distribution agreement with Mainichi Broadcasting System.{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=Sentai Filmworks Announces New Partnership With MBS, Licenses The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-02/sentai-filmworks-announces-new-partnership-with-mbs-licenses-the-most-heretical-last-boss-queen-/.195522|website=Anime News Network|date=March 2, 2023|access-date=March 27, 2023|archive-date=March 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321152907/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-02/sentai-filmworks-announces-new-partnership-with-mbs-licenses-the-most-heretical-last-boss-queen-/.195522|url-status=live}}

Foreign distribution

Sentai Filmworks does not directly release its properties outside of America but instead sub-licenses to other companies. In 2011, MVM Entertainment licensed Mahoromatic: Something More Beautiful after Sentai's re-release of the series, and has done the same with Broken Blade.{{cite web|title=MVM Licenses Broken Blade|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-02-22/mvm-licenses-broken-blade |publisher=Anime News Network |access-date=December 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211155335/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-02-22/mvm-licenses-broken-blade|archive-date=December 11, 2015|url-status=live}}

In March 2018, it was revealed that Sentai held the distribution rights to the film No Game No Life: Zero that the company gave to the Mexican distributor Madness Entertainment. It was revealed that they directly commissioned a Spanish dubbed version for the film.{{Cite news|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-1001641/animes-en-hidive-catlogo-completo?fpid=57374427|title=Animes en HIDIVE – Catálogo Completo|work=Crunchyroll|access-date=March 17, 2018|language=en}} On March 15, Sentai announced the acquisition of Alice or Alice to Spain and Portugal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/news/sentai-filmworks-acquires-the-adorable-slice-of-life-series-alice-or-alice|title=Sentai Filmworks' Acquires the Adorable Slice of Life Series ALICE or ALICE|work=Sentai Filmworks|access-date=March 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317102620/https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/news/sentai-filmworks-acquires-the-adorable-slice-of-life-series-alice-or-alice|archive-date=March 17, 2018|url-status=live}}