As one of just two major anime specialty streamers based out of the U.S., AMC Networks’ HIDIVE finds itself at a pivotal moment in its history; conversations over streaming regulations are ramping up globally, new players are entering the field, and there’s an insatiable demand for this medium that many in the entertainment industry are taking note of.
This medium—anime, of course—is one that HIDIVE President John Ledford played a major part in mainstreaming in the U.S. In this interview with Anime Corner, Ledford discusses the value of a curated anime library in a deep, fragmented streaming landscape; the importance of direct connections with fans at in-person events, as well as with licensors to create a comprehensive anime experience; before peeling back the tape on its largest-ever anime deal with MBS, announced in 2023, which promises not only access to future titles but collaborations that extend far beyond.
Q: You’ve done a lot in bringing Japanese content overseas. From ADV, Anime Network, Sentai Filmworks, HIDIVE, and more—you’ve worked in licensing, broadcast, and streaming. How has your approach to business evolved over time, and what is your current day-to-day like?
Ledford: The through-line in my career has always been a passion for bringing great stories to global audiences. From the early ADV FILMS days—when we were packaging VHS tapes by hand—to the modern HIDIVE era of global simulcasts and strategic content partnerships, my approach has evolved from being purely entrepreneurial to strategically ecosystem-driven.
Today, I split my time between both long-term strategic partnerships—like our recent collaboration with MBS—and content curation that together drive HIDIVE’s long-term growth as the premier streaming destination for anime fans. I still love diving deep into a title’s DNA, championing stories that others might overlook, and building direct bridges between Japanese creators and fans around the world.
Q: How much of the job is patience versus chaos?
Ledford: It’s about 80% patience, 20% creative chaos—but that 20% hits like a shonen battle climax. Anime licensing and distribution is like a highly choreographed dance on a roller coaster—navigating between the complexities of cultural nuances and IP strategy, while going through cycles of waiting and fast action, especially when something special comes across the table.
Q: Anime Frontier is coming up this month. How was the experience of connecting with fans for the representatives who attended? How important is that sort of outreach to you?
Ledford: There’s nothing like being on the ground, hearing directly from fans. Anime Frontier can be electric—particularly when seeing the passion from fans for HIDIVE’s exclusives and Sentai’s catalog. These moments aren’t just fan service; they’re vital intel. Conventions are where future strategy meets real-time feedback. It’s where you hear what’s resonating, what fans are missing, and what they want next. That direct line informs everything from acquisitions to platform features.
Q: HIDIVE has positioned itself as a viable streaming option for anime fans. What groundwork goes into still acquiring some of the biggest titles in a year like Oshi no Ko and DanMachi, especially given rising license fees?
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Ledford: As part of AMC Networks, the global leader in targeted streaming, HIDIVE has always had a singular focus – to super-serve anime fans with a thoughtfully curated lineup of unique, compelling, and surprising titles. In the same way that Shudder is delivering horror fans the very best from that genre, HIDIVE is the go-to anime destination for long-time, loyal anime viewers as well as the anime-curious. We’ve built strong, long-term relationships with Japanese partners, who know that we invest in marketing, fan engagement, and full-cycle support, to bring the best anime content to our subscribers. In securing major titles like DanMachi, it’s not just about the bid; it’s about the partnership.
Q: You said in 2023 that Sentai aims to license titles that may have been otherwise overlooked / feature elements that would appeal to underserved communities. What other types of anime/communities do you believe are underserved?
Ledford: We continue to see strong opportunities in genres, niches, and themes from psychological thrillers and complex female protagonists to LGBTQ+ narratives and experimental or non-mainstream art styles. We don’t shy away from these.
Global fandom is not a monolith. We actively seek out shows that represent a broader emotional, cultural, and aesthetic range—from the emotionally raw to the delightfully weird. There’s a whole world of anime that doesn’t fit neatly into mass-market categories, and that’s where we thrive.
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Q: We’re a couple of weeks away from closing out 2025. What series did you most look forward to watching and why?
Ledford: I was particularly excited about From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated!—not just because it’s ours, but because it represents a bold blend of comedy, family dynamics, and isekai reinvention. It’s clever, self-aware, and unafraid to be heartfelt.
There were a few others I had my eye on during the year, specifically titles that challenge genre expectations or embrace inventive storytelling such as SWORD OF THE DEMON HUNTER!
Q: Historically, what anime has left the biggest impact on you personally? What is your proudest license?
Ledford: Neon Genesis Evangelion was foundational—it shattered the rules of storytelling and opened the Western door to anime as serious art.
As for proudest license, it’s hard to pick just one. But Danmachi, Clannad, Food Wars, Made in Abyss, Parasyte, and Oshi no Ko stand out. Each represented a turning point—commercially, emotionally, or creatively—and showed the world what HIDIVE and Sentai can do when we go all-in on a story we believe in.
Q: You debuted From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! this year, which stemmed from your partnership with MBS. MBS has historically been a major part of anime and spoke about ramping up its anime business last July. How did the agreement come about, and how excited are you?
© Michiro Ueyama / Shonen Gahosha · From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! Production Committee · MBS
Ledford: We’ve always respected MBS’ pedigree…from Fullmetal Alchemist to Jujutsu Kaisen, they’ve helped shape anime history.
The agreement came together from a shared vision: creating a new model for international rollout, one that puts the fans first and gives creators a truly global platform. The debut of From Bureaucrat to Villainess is just the first spark…expect more flames soon.
Q: The partnership “provides HIDIVE exclusive rights to distribute part of MBS’s future programming lineup in all global markets outside of Asia.” Is it possible to clarify what “part” means in practice?
Ledford: “Part” means a curated slate of new MBS-backed productions—titles we align on from both a creative and strategic standpoint. We want to focus on MBS titles where HIDIVE’s attention and platform can truly elevate the global launch.
Q: Is a return to more markets back on the horizon?
Ledford: We’re always evaluating opportunities in territories where anime demand is strong and unmet. As the distribution landscapes evolve and audiences seek more curated, high-quality anime experiences, HIDIVE is well-positioned to deliver both premium titles and fan-first community experiences.
Q: While the MBS deal emphasized exclusive rights to future series, what’s the potential for it to expand in other ways, e.g., to non-exclusive simulcasts, future seasons of MBS series that first debuted on other platforms, and past titles?
Ledford: The MBS partnership is dynamic by design. While it began with future exclusive titles, we’re exploring broader opportunities…legacy titles, sequel rights, and potentially even co-productions. We’re also discussing how we can give earlier MBS hits a second life on HIDIVE through remastered re-releases, curated marathons, and value-added features for fans who want more than just a replay…they want an experience.
Q: In general, how much of a current priority is it for HIDIVE to increase and maintain a library of older titles? What do you think is necessary to draw fans to older releases?
Ledford: Legacy content is vital…it’s the bedrock of anime culture. HIDIVE is actively maintaining and expanding our classic catalog, from cult gems to early 2000s powerhouses.
The key to drawing fans to older releases is context and curation. Give fans the “why”: why it mattered, why it still resonates, and why it’s worth (re)discovering. Through themed watchlists, anniversary spotlights, and influencer collaboration, we’re helping the next generation connect with the medium’s foundations.
Q: Mildly referencing your 2020 interview here, where you talk about predictions for 2025 (~51 minutes): Is the streaming environment more promising now for HIDIVE compared to five years ago? Japanese licensors are increasingly dropping series for free on YouTube/American licensees are releasing or sublicensing their titles to FAST channels, be it their own services or others. Is that good for HIDIVE? Does it threaten to pull the rug out from under, or is it the more eyes, the merrier?
Ledford: We’re certainly in a more fragmented streaming landscape than ever before, with content dropping across AVOD, SVOD, FAST, and even free YouTube channels. But fragmentation can breed fatigue, and fatigue can create demand for curated excellence. HIDIVE has a singular focus to super-serve anime fans. And as fans ourselves, we share that same passion for and knowledge of the world of anime, and we really pride ourselves on carefully curating the very best anime experience for our subscribers. Our exclusive-first strategy, deep fan engagement, and tight community positioning are built for this moment.
Q: If a company were looking to license a title, what kind of factors typically influence the cost?
Ledford: Licensing cost depends on a mix of creative, commercial, and strategic variables — from anticipated popularity, territory scope, and exclusivity to license term, promotional support, and localization.
Q: There’s HIDIVE’s upcoming coproduction and The Dangers in My Heart‘s new film next year. Could you elaborate on these in terms of what fans should be excited for, and anything else fans may be looking forward to, such as the lineup and number of simulcasts that HIDIVE picks up each season in 2026 and beyond?
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Ledford: I wish I could reveal everything we have lined up for 2026—fans around the world are going to be very happy—but for now I can tell you about two titles we’re extremely excited for — HELL MODE: The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World and Chained Soldier Season 2.
HELL MODE is the eagerly anticipated anime adaptation of the hit light novel and promises to be an exciting, action-packed isekai series. And Chained Soldier ramps up its narrative complexity and high-stakes combat with the arrival of its highly anticipated second season. Both series represent the kind of ambitious, creator-driven anime synonymous with HIDIVE.
Q: HIDIVE and a number of AMC Networks platforms were part of the 15 specialty streamers that joined Beyond Mainstream: A Global Streaming Alliance, a recently unveiled coalition that advocates for fair regulations for streamers globally. That seems like it’s in response to (or in anticipation of) something. What was the background to this decision, its expected activities next year, and what are the things that may happen in the future that would merit this sort of collective action?
Ledford: Specialty content services make up a significant part of the streaming offerings currently available to consumers globally. By joining the Beyond Mainstream coalition, HIDIVE is uniting with other specialized services to ensure viewers can easily access a range of content offerings and to advocate for alternatives to one-size-fits-all industry policies.
Q: Looking back on the year, how did 2025 turn out for HIDIVE?
Ledford: We had a successful year filled with both global premieres and elevated fan experiences—both in-app and at conventions—and new strategic partnerships that brought fresh voices to the anime conversation. We were thrilled to see breakout hits like My Gift Lvl 9999 Unlimited Gacha and Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?! truly resonate with fans. We’re looking forward to rolling out our curated line-up for 2026 that promises to deliver the very best anime experience for our subscribers.
Many thanks to Ledford for his insights, and to Scott at AMC Networks for coordinating the interview. You can check out HIDIVE’s upcoming titles in its recent press release ahead of Anime Frontier.
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