The website was founded by Justin Sevakis in July 1998. On 7 September 2004, the
Sci Fi Channel online newsletter
Sci Fi Weekly named ANN the Web Site of the Week. In January 2007, ANN launched a separate version for Australian audiences. On 4 July 2008, ANN launched its video platform with a library of anime trailers as well as its own news show ANNtv. On 7 August 2017, a hacker took control of Anime News Network's domain (animenewsnetwork.com), and compromised some of the site's
Twitter accounts, including the personal accounts of ANN's CEO Christopher Macdonald and Executive Editor Zac Bertschy. The site was temporarily live at animenewsnetwork.cc until the staff regained control of the original domain. In an article a few days after the loss of the domain, Macdonald published the full story on how the domain was stolen. On 1 November 2022,
Kadokawa Corporation announced an agreement to acquire a majority of Anime News Network's media business through a new subsidiary Kadokawa World Entertainment. Christopher Macdonald, the president of ANN, was appointed as the publisher of Kadokawa World Entertainment. Macdonald and Bandai Namco Filmworks retain minority shares in the new company. ==Features==