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Kadokawa Acquires Anime Studio Doga Kobo
Oshi no Ko, New Game! studio was founded in 1973
― Kadokawa announced on Thursday that it has acquired anime studio Doga Kobo and will make it a subsidiary of the conglomerate. Doga Kobo was founded in July 1973, and the company has 62 employees as of June. The company produced the Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night anime to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The anime debuted on April 6. Doga Kobo has a...
Manga is Global: Japanese Manga Editors Share How Medium is Expanding
Publishers share how a non-native Japanese comic artist can get their big break.
― For those who like the business side of manga as much as the art and storytelling, the Japanese Manga Editors Industry Roundtable really is a fascinating learning experience. This year's panel mostly focused on two areas of discussion—new artist development, and a look into publishing trends. Moderated by Deb Aoki, jo...
SMEJ, Aniplex, Palworld Game Developer Establish Palworld Entertainment
New joint venture to develop Palworld IP outside of game
― Sony Music Entertainment Japan Inc. announced on Wednesday that it and its subsidiary Aniplex, along with Palworld game developer Pocketpair, have established a new joint venture named Palworld Entertainment. The venture aims to expand and develop "new business" for the Palworld game, as well as develop the intellectual property's reach, lice...
Chocolate Inc., Kassen, WACHAJACK Establish STUDIO DOTOU, Which Enters Business Partnership with Pony Canyon
STUDIO DOTOU, Pony Canyon partnership to start with KILLTUBE anime film project
― Japanese company CHOCOLATE Inc. (live-action film Mondays: See You "This" Week!, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba's Total Concentration exhibition, production and publicity for Dark Gathering anime), VFX studio Kassen Inc. (live-action Yu Yu Hakusho VFX), and concept artist group WACHAJACK (Resident Evil: Infinite Darknes...
Pierrot Rebrands 2nd Studio as Pierrot Films
Both studios plan to work together to "[bring] the best out of each other"
― Anime studio Pierrot announced on Saturday that it rebranded its second studio to "Pierrot Films" in February 2024. The new branded studio has a motto of "make anime that wows." Pierrot stated it will continue to work closely with Pierrot films to "[bring] the best out of each other and ever evolving in tandem to deliver hig...
Niconico Remains Offline After Kadokawa Cyber Attack, No Customer Information Leaks, Publishing at 'One-Third' of Normal Rate
Kadokawa resumed several business operations in publishing; other B2C operations operate on temporary solutions
― Kadokawa Corporation issued a statement on its temporary website on Thursday regarding its investigation into the cyber attack on June 8. The company has resumed several business operations, while other B2C operations such as its Niconico video streaming services and online shops are oper...
11 Startup Founders I've Met Who Are Shaking Up the Anime Industry
―
These are exciting times of growth for anime. With the market increasing in size by 6.8% in 2022, I'm both professionally and personally looking forward to seeing just how big anime will become globally over the next ten years. Concurrent with this growth are massive societal evolutions in how media is consumed, distributed, and monetized, powered by new technologies big and small (and sometimes ...
Hiroyuki Nakano Steps Down as Weekly Shonen Jump Editor-in-Chief
Associate editor Yu Saito takes over as new editor-in-chief
― Shueisha's Shonen Jump Magazine revealed in a press video on Tuesday that the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine will change its editor-in-chief from Hiroyuki Nakano to associate editor Yu Saito. Nakano became the editor-in-chief for the magazine in July 2017, assuming the role from Yoshihisa Heishi. Heishi became editor-in-chief of Weekly Shonen...
CyberAgent to Acquire Creative Company Nitroplus for 16.7 Billion Yen
CyberAgent to hold 72.5% controlling stake in Nitroplus, which becomes its subsidiary
― CyberAgent announced on Wednesday that it has decided to acquire the creative company Nitroplus for 16.704 billion yen (about US$104 million). As of July 1, CyberAgent will hold a 72.5% controlling stake in Nitroplus, which will become part of the CyberAgent group of companies as a subsidiary. Nitroplus founder an...
Paramount+ Increases Subscriber Prices on August 20
Price changes affect existing customers from September 20
― Paramount Global revealed on Monday the company will raise the prices of all tiers of its Paramount+ streaming service beginning on August 20. The new price changes will affect new customers from that date, while existing customers will have until September 20 or the first billing cycle after that date. The Paramount+ with Showtime plan wil...
Web3 Anime Brand Azuki Hires Steve Chung as COO
Los Angeles-based Web3 anime-styled brand Azuki announced on Thursday that it has hired former Fox and CJ ENM executive Steve Chung as its inaugural chief operating officer. Chung will also separately be a contributor involved with the launch of AnimeChain, a blockchain network for anime fans. With Chung, Azuki plans to "expand its presence in both the anime and entertainment industries." Chung wa...
New Projects Bring New Opportunities for Kinema Citrus Anime Studio
The Made in Abyss anime studio is celebrating its 16th anniversary with two new anime projects, so we sat down with founder Muneki Ogasawara to discuss the studio's next moves.
― Founded in March 2008, Kinema Citrus is known as a pillar in the anime industry for producing high-quality, compelling series. The studio has carved a niche in the competitive anime industry with popular works like Made in A...
Studio 3Hz Transfers Animation Planning, Production Business to A-1 Pictures (Updated)
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II anime to continue as planned with same staff
― Studio 3Hz announced on Monday that it has transferred its animation planning and production business to A-1 Pictures. The company added that its business will continue at A-1 Pictures. Studio 3Hz and the official X/Twitter account for the Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II anime confirmed th...
Cyber Attack Delays Kadokawa's Releases, Accounting With Niconico Expected to Stay Offline for 1 Month or More
Company reveals wide-scale cyber attack included use of ransomware
― Kadokawa Corporation issued a statement on its temporary website on Friday to announce the continued suspension of its Dwango subsidiary's Niconico video services, following the cyber attack on June 8. The company is temporarily suspending Niconico's services in order to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, ...
Sony Pictures Buys Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Chain With Plans for Crunchyroll
Theater chain's acquisition includes Fantastic Fest film festival
― Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) announced on Wednesday that it has acquired the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain, as well as the chain's Fantastic Fest film festival, putting them under a new division under Sony Pictures Entertainment named Sony Pictures Experience. In its announcement, SPE noted that Sony's Crunchyroll anime streamin...
Kadokawa Posts Statement After Suspected Cyber Attack (Updated)
Niconico, Kadokawa Game Linkage's ebten online shopping website also affected
― Kadokawa Corporation released a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday after several of the group's websites have become unavailable, in response to what the company suspects is a cyber attack. 6月8日未明より発生しているKADOKAWAグループの複数のウェブサイトが利用できない事象について、多大なるご心配とご迷惑をおかけし、深くお詫び申し上げます。これまでの経緯、現在の状況、今後の対応について、...
HBO Max Increases Monthly Subscriber Price from US$15.99 to US$16.99
New ad-free plan pricing starts on June 11
― The HBO Max streaming service revealed on Tuesday that it is increasing the monthly price for the ad-free plan from US$15.99 to US$16.99, starting on June 11. The company will also raise the price of the Ultimate Ad-Free tier from US$19.99 to US$20.99 per month. This marks the service's second price increase since launch, having raised the price in Februar...
Anime Studio Gainax Files for Bankruptcy
Co-founder Hideaki Anno's current studio Khara acquires Gainax's trademark
― Anime studio Gainax announced on its website on Friday that it filed for bankruptcy in the Tokyo District Court on May 29. The bankruptcy proceedings are happening just short of the studio's 40th anniversary in December. Gainax's Statement In its statement on Friday, Gainax explained that its financial situation worsened sta...
Comix Wave Films Announces New President
Managing director Tomohiro Tokunaga promoted to president
―
CoMix Wave Films announced on Friday that Noritaka Kawaguchi, the company's current president, has been transferred to representative director and chairman, and managing director Tomohiro Tokunaga has been promoted to representative director and president. The change of officers is effective as of May 28. Aside from Kawaguchi and Tokunaga, ...
NTV Reveals Results of Investigation Into Sexy Tanaka-san Live-Action Series After Hinako Ashihara's Death
Investigation concludes Ashihara's conditions about adaptation were not properly conveyed to production staff
― Warning: this article contains statements about a suicide. If you or anyone you know is suicidal or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a suicide prevention organization in your country. In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available by calling 988. I...
Crunchyroll Partners With Indonesia's Telkomsel to Provide Subscription Packages
Subscription bundles available for IDR 36,000, IDR 48,000
― Crunchyroll announced on Friday that it is partnering with Indonesian telcom company Telkomsel to provide bundled packages to Indonesian subscribers. Telkomsel is offering the Fan tier for IDR 36,000, which gives 3 GB of MAXstream quota for a single device, as well as the Mega Fan tier for IDR 48,000, which gives 5 GB of MAXstream quota for ...
Crunchyroll to Launch on Amazon Channels in S.E.Asia in 'Next Couple of Months'
Company is "building up inventory of products" to offer in Southeast Asia
― Sony Pictures Enterainment chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra stated in a conference call on Thursday that Sony is going to launch Crunchyroll on Amazon channels in Southeast Asia and India "in the next couple of months." He added that the company is "building up the inventory of products" to offer for Crunchyroll in Southeast...
Shonen Jump Launches Jump Sports Manga Award with LA Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani as Judge
Slam Dunk creator Takehiko Inoue, Eyeshield 21 writer Riichirō Inagaki, Kuroko's Basketball creator Tadatoshi Fujimaki join judging panel
― Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine announced the Jump Sports Manga Award on Monday with Slam Dunk creator Takehiko Inoue, Eyeshield 21 writer Riichirō Inagaki, Kuroko's Basketball creator Tadatoshi Fujimaki, and LA Dodgers' baseball player Shohei Ohtani as ju...
Seiyū Animedia Magazine Ends Publication After 20 Years
Voice acting magazine launched in 2004 as sister magazine of Animedia
― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for IID's Seiyū Animedia magazine announced on Monday that the magazine is ceasing publication. The upcoming summer issue will be the magazine's final issue when it ships on June 10. The magazine will announce the fates of its current serializations at a later date. Coverage of anime and ...
Nintendo Opens Official Store in San Francisco in 2025
2nd Nintendo store in U.S. to be located in San Francisco's Union Square
― Nintendo announced on Friday that it is opening its second official Nintendo store in the United States in 2025. The store will be located in San Francisco's Union Square. Nintendo's only official U.S. store, Nintendo NY, is located in Rockefeller Center in New York City. The first official Nintendo store in Japan opened in No...
6 Interesting Things I Learned About Anime From the Legendary Producer Maruyama Masao Documentary
The documentary was full of cool tidbits about the 82-year-old producer and the anime he's worked on—including Ninja Scroll, Pluto, and In This Corner of the World.
― Late last month, Japanese television network NHK put out a documentary on anime producer Masao Maruyama as part of their Anime Manga Explosion series. In it, the show delves into the now 82-year-old producer's life, philosophies, and so...
Kodansha Acquires Wani Books
Book publisher best known for distributing photo collections, instructional books
― Kodansha announced on Friday it has entered into an agreement with book publisher Wani Books to acquire 100% of the shares, making Wani Books a wholly owned subsidiary of the company. Kodansha stated it hopes this collaboration will revitalize the market and address various issues in publishing and distribution. Wani...
TOHO to Acquire Anime Studio Science SARU as Its Subsidiary
Company acquires studio behind Lu over the wall, Inu-Oh, Scott Pilgrim anime, Tatami Time Machine Blues
― The entertainment company Toho announced on Thursday that its board of directors has decided to acquire all shares of the anime studio Science Saru, effective on June 19. Toho will then make Science Saru its consolidated subsidiary from the second quarter (June-August) of the fiscal year ending i...
Sony to Launch Academy to 'Nurture Anime Creators in Global Markets'
― Sony Group Corporation announced on Thursday during its annual corporate strategy presentation that it will launch an academy to develop talent to create anime. The academy will aim to "[nurture] anime creators in global markets, mainly by Aniplex and Crunchyroll with collaboration from across the industry." Aniplex is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan (SMEJ). Animation studios A-1 Pi...
Toho to Acquire Anime Studio Science SARU as Its Subsidiary
Company acquires studio behind Lu over the wall, Inu-Oh, Scott Pilgrim anime, Tatami Time Machine Blues
― The entertainment company Toho announced on Thursday that its board of directors has decided to acquire all shares of the anime studio Science Saru, effective on June 19. Toho will then make Science Saru its consolidated subsidiary from the second quarter (June-August) of the fiscal year ending i...
Key/Visual Arts Donates 14 Million Yen to Quake-Hit Noto Peninsula
Legendary game maker brings another tear to our eyes
― Key is arguably one of the greatest Japanese visual novel game makers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. With games like Kanon, Air, Clannad, and a plethora of others, the studio is known for blending the erotic with sad stories. In a new teary-eyed story, Key, with the help of its parent company, Visual Arts, is donating a massive sum of money f...
Ascendent Animation Wins Two Bronze Telly Awards
Company previously earned award in 2022
―
Ascendent Animation won two bronze awards at the 45th Annual Telly Awards in New York City on Tuesday for its English dubbed anime Game World Reincarnation and I Want to Be His Prey. The company previously won a silver Telly Award in 2022 for the English dub of The Titan's Bride. The company released an English dub of Caressing My Hibernating Bear in partner...
Hollywood Reporter: Adam Wingard Will Not Return for Sequel to Godzilla x Kong Film
Writer-director parts amicably due to 'timing issues'
― The Hollywood Reporter reported on Tuesday that director Adam Wingard will not return for the sequel to Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment's Godzilla x Kong film series due to "timing issues." The report describes Wingard's departure as amicable, with the companies leaving the door open for a future return. Wingard is reportedly planning t...
Nintendo Enters Agreement with Embracer Group to Acquire Shiver Entertainment
Nintendo plans to secure resources for porting/developing software with Miami-based company
― Nintendo announced on Tuesday that it has entered into an agreement with Embracer Group AB to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Miami-based game developer Shiver Entertainment, Inc. and make it a wholly owned subsidiary. With Shiver, Nintendo plans to secure resources for porting and developing games...
Disney Japan Outsources Home Video Production Business to Happinet
Agreement affects Ghibli BDs, DVDs in Japan starting on October 1
― Happinet announced on May 13 that its subsidiary Happinet Media Marketing has signed a home entertainment license agreement with Walt Disney's Japanese arm to manufacture and sell Disney-branded Blu-ray Discs and DVDs in Japan, starting on October 1. In Japan, Disney has handled the home video releases for Studio Ghibli titles since ...
Bringing Anime to Southeast Asia: Interview with Medialink, Ani-One Co-Founder Lovinia Chiu
Chiu shares how she brought the SEA simulcast service to the forefront after founding it at 17 years old.
― Over the past six years, many streaming and simulcast services have catered to otaku in Asia, offering simulcasts of seasonal anime and theatrical anime screenings. One such service is Ani-One Asia, a Hong Kong-based Medialink Group brand that offers a competitive lineup of simulcasts every se...
Yen Press to Hire Marketing & Publicity Manager
― Yen Press has announced that it is looking to hire a Marketing & Publicity Manager. The full-time position is hybrid-remote, and will pay US$65,000 to US$75,000 per year. Skills required include four to five years of marketing and publicity experience in the publishing industry, experience pitching to media and press, and experience in managing social media accounts in a professional setting, amon...
Through the Lens Ent. Establishes Manga Development, Publishing Company Hoshi Studios With Offices in Singapore, Japan
Company enters distribution deal with Shogakukan Asia, plans to create manga with goal of turning them into TV anime, films
― Variety reported on Saturday that film studio Through the Lens Entertainment has established a manga development and publishing startup named Hoshi Studios situated in Singapore and Japan. The company has entered a distribution deal with Shogakukan Asia, the Southeast Asian su...
Cygames Establishes Cygames Singapore Branch
Cygames established new company in May
― Media company Cygames announced on Friday that it has established a new Cygames Singapore overseas branch. Cygames established the company in May. Cygames established its Global Business Development team in 2017, followed by its first overseas branches in South Korea and Taiwan. The company established its United States-based Cygames America branch, as well as...
Penguin Random House Publisher Services, Tokyopop Enter Multi-Year Sales/Distribution Agreement
PRHPS to sell, distribute Tokyopop frontlist/backlist worldwide starting on January 1, 2025
― Penguin Random House Publisher Services (PRHPS), a division of Penguin Random House, announced on Wednesday that it has entered a a multi-year sales and distribution agreement with Tokyopop. PRHPS will sell and distribute the entire Tokyopop frontlist and backlist across all sales channels worldwide, startin...
Sony Interactive Entertainment Appoints 2 New CEOs Hideaki Nishino, Hermen Hulst
Nishino to lead Platform Business Group, Hulst to lead Studio Business Group
― Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced on Monday the appointment of Hideaki Nishino as CEO of SIE's Platform Business Group, and Hermen Hulst as CEO of SIE's Studio Business Group, effective on June 1. SIE's interim CEO Hiroki Totoki will continue his role as chairman of SIE, in addition to his role as president, c...
Mobile Suit Gundam Franchise Reaches Sales Record of 145.7 Billion Yen in 2024 Fiscal Year
Franchise hit 100-billion yen mark in 2022
― Bandai Namco Holdings released on Thursday its financial report for the fiscal year of 2024 (which ended on March 31), and reported that the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise earned a total of 145.7 billion yen (about US$934.78 million) during the year, setting an all-time highest sales record for the franchise. Bandai Namco Holdings forecasts that the frachise...
New Documentary Series Follows Manga Editors at Shogakukan
Go behind the scenes of manga editors' jobs
― Manga editing is not usually thought about all that much, as the profession is elusive to outsiders. The job isn't just about going through a draft and marking mistakes, but rather helping authors formulate and shape their stories. While there are snippets into manga editing with interviews from time to time, there haven't been many documentary about the ...
Nintendo Now Plans to Open Museum in Kyoto This Fall
Project first announced in 2021
― Nintendo reported on May 7 during its financial results briefing that the company will open its museum in Uji City, Kyoto in fall 2024. The company first announced its Nintendo Museum project in June 2021 under the tentative "Nintendo Gallery" name, and it originally scheduled the museum for completion on the former Nintendo Uji Ogura Plant site in March 2024. The pl...
K2 Pictures Video Production Company Establishes Film Fund With Creators Including MAPPA (Updated)
K2 Pictures aims to promote entry of investors into Japanese film industry with "K2P Film Fund I"
― The K2 Pictures movie and video works company announced on Friday that it is setting up the "K2P Film Fund I." The company plans to help promote the entry of new investors in Japan and overseas into the Japanese film industry and return the profits to creators. Film production is underway with creators...
Orange Inc. to Release e-Bookstore Service emaqi Featuring Manga This Summer
Service to use Orange Inc's AI-translation technology
― The AI localization company Orange Inc. announced on Monday that it will release an e-bookstore service titled "emaqi," which will launch in the United States this summer. The service will feature works translated using Orange Inc's technology, and will also include "recommendations, curations by manga influencers, and manga trailers." emaqi wil...
Kadokawa Establishes New Anime Studio Bellnox Films
New studio starts operations on July 1
― Kadokawa announced on Tuesday that it is establishing a new animation production studio called Bellnox Films this month, and the studio will formally start its operations on July 1. Koji Kajita, a former head of Gonzo and a founder and former president of David Production, is serving as the representative director and president of Bellnox Films. The new produc...
X/Twitter's Grok AI Incorrectly Says Chris Beveridge Directs Laid-Back Camp Anime's Dub
A generative AI chatbot getting information wrong? Never would have guessed...
― Generative AI is all the rage right now, from Chat GPT and Copilot's for written material and Stable Diffusion and DALL-E for artwork. While these tools can create a template to work off, they are by no means reliable, especially when it comes to written material. X's (formerly Twitter) generative AI program, Grok, shows...
Crunchyroll Increases Subscription Prices for Mega Fan/Ultimate Fan Tiers
Price increases to US$11.99 for Mega Fan, US$15.99 for Ultimate Fan
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it has increased the prices for its Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan tiers in the U.S., Argentina, Colombia, France, Portugal, and select additional countries. In the U.S., the company is increasing the Mega Fan price from US$9.99 to US$11.99 per month and the Ultimate Fan tier from US$14.99 to US$1...
Dahlia in Bloom Staff, Ekachi Epilka Studio Respond to Report Claiming N. Korean Animators Worked on Anime
Dahlia in Bloom staff state they are investigating the situation
― The official X/Twitter account for the Dahlia in Bloom: Crafting a Fresh Start With Magical Tools anime and the official website for the Hokkaido-based anime studio Ekachi Epilka have both released statements, after the 38 North website posted a report on Monday claiming that North Korean animators worked on Dahlia in Bloom and an unn...
FCC Reinstates Net Neutrality in 3-2 Vote
Ruling reinstates net neutrality regulations, overturning 2017 decision
― The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on April 25 to reinstate net neutrality regulations, which block service providers such as Comcast, AT&T, Verizon from stratifying the internet with preferred traffic. The commission voted 3-2 along party lines. During former U.S. President Donald Trump's government in 201...
pixiv Japanese Art Platform Blocks Adult Content in U.S., U.K.
New change to terms of use came into effect on April 25
― Japanese art platform Pixiv announced on April 22 that users in the United States and United Kingdom will no longer be able to post adult content per its new Terms of Use in compliance with regional laws from April 25. The new terms explicitly ban the posting of "obscene" and "lewd" material, as well as art depicting the exploitation of minor...
Shueisha Runs AI-Translated Global Manga Community Site for 1 Month Only
Service allows Shonen Jump fans from around the world to connect via machine translation
― There is no doubt manga's popularity has grown over the past several decades. With that growth have come fandoms around the world. While online forums exist for these fans to interact, fans may have to create their little islands due to the language barrier. However, Japanese manga publisher Shueisha is trying ...
Japan's Animation Home Video Sales Decrease Again by 8% in 2023
Japanese home video sales down 0.4% from 2022
― The Japan Video Software Association (JVA) released this month its report on home video sales from January to December 2023. The home video sales for animation, including anime and overseas animated titles, amounted to 26.8 billion yen (about US$173 million), down 8% from last year's 29.2 billion yen (about US$189 million). This is the second year in a ...
Former MAPPA Executive Establishes New Anime Planning Company
Makoto Kimura's Blue Rights to produce TV anime, films, manga, novels, more
― Executive director, rights management director, and producer of studio MAPPA Makoto Kimura announced earlier this month that he has retired from his position at MAPPA at the end of March to establish the new anime planning company Blue Rights. Blue Rights will produce televised and theatrical anime, as well a range of enter...
Embracer Group Reveals Plans to Split into 3 Companies
New "Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends" company to own Dark Horse, PLAION Pictures
― Gaming conglomerate Embracer Group announced on Monday it is planning to split into three companies: Asmodee Group, Coffee Stain & Friends, and Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends. The companies will be separate, publicly listed companies. Embracer Group stated the change will "[enable] each entity to better focus on...
Beckett Collectibles Now Grades Manga
Grading process takes 10-30 business days
― Beckett Collectibles announced on January 10 that the grading and authentication company will now expand its services into the world of manga. The official page for the company describes manga grading: Manga grading is the process of judging the condition and authenticity of manga publications, from Dragon Ball Z and One Piece to Demon Slayer and beyond. Th...
Netflix Adds 9.3 Million Subscribers in 1st Quarter 2024, Co-CEO States Password-Sharing Policy Has Not Harmed Viewership
Company to stop reporting on subscriber totals in 2025
― Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters stated on Thursday that the company's viewership data from both before and after Netflix implemented its password-sharing regulations showed the policy has not turned viewers away. Netflix also announced on Thursday it added 9.3 million subscribers in the quarter ending on March 31, reaching 269.6 million subscribers ...
CyberAgent Reveals Guidelines for In-House Creators Using Generative AI for Art
Guidelines aim to avoid copyright violations
― CyberAgent revealed on April 3 that it has created in-house guidelines for its creators for using generative AI/large language models for images, aimed at avoiding violations of copyright law and highlighting that current generative AI cannot produce a usable end product as-is. The guidelines stress that creators should not enter personal or confidential...
Disney CEO Bob Iger States Company Will Roll Out Password-Sharing Restrictions on Disney+ in June
― Disney CEO Bob Iger stated on Friday in an interview with CNBC that the company plans to roll out its password-sharing enforcement program for its streaming service Disney+ in June. Iger stated the rollout will initially start in "just a few countries in a few markets," and will "grow significantly with a full rollout in September." Iger had announced last August that Disney had planned to restric...
Asmik Ace Reorganizes, Combines Live-Action & Anime Departments
Reorganization puts film business division, rights business division together
― Film distribution and production company Asmik Ace, Inc. announced on March 29 that it has reorganized the company as of April 1, combining its film business and rights business divisions. The company's former structure had four divisions: the operational management division, the film business division, the rights busines...
Anime Boston 2024: HIDIVE Presents Working in the Japanese Anime Industry
HIDIVE hosted a panel with two special guests, producer Yuki Watanabe and voice actor Yuya Hirose, to discuss what it's like to work in the anime industry.
― Friday at Anime Boston, HIDIVE's Star Butler hosted a panel with two special guests from Chained Soldier, producer Yuki Watanabe and voice actor Yuya Hirose, to discuss what it's like to work in the anime industry. Hirose didn't always want to b...
Warner Bros. Japan to Produce Over 10 Anime Titles Per Year
Company's Japanese anime studio to double output
― Warner Bros. Discovery president of Asia-Pacific James Gibbons stated to entertainment news website Variety last Friday that the company's Japanese anime studio will produce more than 10 titles per year as opposed to its output of five to 10 titles in past years. He stated that "anime is one of the best ways to reach the 18 to 30-year-old audience, w...
Twin Engine Establishes 2 New Studios
Director Shingo Yamashita heads Studio Chromato, producer Kazuki Enami heads Crew-Cell
― Anime planning and production company Twin Engine (production for Vinland Saga, Dororo, Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku) announced on Monday that it has established two new studios: Studio Chromato and Crew-Cell. Both new studios are located in Tokyo. Longtime animator and director Shingo Yamashita (director of Pokém...
Guinness World Records Certifies Animate Ikebukuro as Largest Anime Store
The Guinness World Record is quite possibly the preeminent organization to catalogue achievements big and small. These include what some would consider serious records such as sports records at the Olympics to the sillier records like tallest house of cards. And people around the world are looking for new and interesting ways to break or create new Guinness World Records. One such business is Jap...
hololive's Cover Corp. Establishes 1st Overseas Subsidiary Cover USA (Updated)
Parent company of hololive productions VTuber management company aims for global expansion
― Update: Cover Corporation clarified on Twitter on March 14 that it incorrectly used the word "branch" in its initial press release, when the "appropriate term" was "subsidiary." ANN has updated the below article to reflect that change. Cover Corporation, the parent company of the hololive productions VTuber m...
Former Crunchyroll Executive Miles Atherton Joins Anime Trending Site's Board
― The anime news and statistics website Anime Trending announced on Thursday that Miles Atherton (formerly Miles Thomas) has joined the site's board of directors as an advisor. Atherton joined Crunchyroll in 2013 as a sales consultant. He eventually became a content analyst, brand manager, and then the senior manager of social media and editorial programming before becoming the director of audience ...
Sex Work, Kink, and Consent: Here's How the Anime Community Can be Better With Adult Content and Its Creators
"I'll spit on you for $5!" Lucas DeRuyter spoke to pro adult content creators about con attendees LARPing as sex workers, and how a more consensual experience is better for everyone.
― Note: The images in this article are likely NSFW. Cosplay model, panel host, and sex worker Ronnie/Bunni Black described the anime community as having "cognitive dissonance" towards adult content. As sex workers in th...
Kana Ichinose, Kazuki Ura Win 18th Annual Seiyū Awards
Yōhei Azakami, Manaka Iwami, Mamiko Noto, Bocchi the Rock, The First Slam Dunk honored
― The organizers of the 18th Annual Seiyū Awards announced the winners on Saturday. The winners include: Best Lead Actor Award
Award for best leading performances from an actor during the year
Kana Ichinose Kazuki Ura Best Supporting Actor Award
Award for best supporting performances from an actor during the year Y...
HIDIVE Launches Updated Website/Apps With Offline Viewing, New User Interface
Update features simplified menu, enhancements for content discovery, curation, playback
― HIDIVE announced on Thursday that it has updated its streaming service website and apps for Apple TV 4K, iPhone, Android Mobile, Android TV, Roku, and Fire TV. The new website and apps feature offline viewing, a redesigned user interface, a simplified menu, updated search and watch history functions, the option ...
Warner Bros. Discovery Shuts Down Production Company Rooster Teeth
Warner Bros. Discovery to explore options for IP such as RWBY, gen:LOCK
― Rooster Teeth (RWBY, gen:LOCK) revealed on Wednesday in a memo from general manager Jordan Levin to its staff that, after 21 years, it is shutting down "due to challenges facing digital media resulting from fundamental shifts in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising, and patronage." Rooster Teeth's pa...
J-Novel Club Joins Hachette Book Group, Diamond Book Distributors in New Print Deal via Yen Press
Hachette to handle North American print distribution, Diamond Book Distributors to handle international releases
― J-Novel Club announced today it has reached a print distribution agreement with Hachette Book Group via Yen Press and Diamond Book Distributors. Hachette will distribute all of J-Novel Club's frontlist and backlist titles in North America while Diamond Book will handle international sal...
Bandai Namco to Open 2,000-Seat Concert Hall in Tokyo in Spring 2026
Bandai Namco also establishes new subsidiary to manage venue
― Bandai Namco Holdings announced on Tuesday that it will start building a concert hall that can host 2,000 attendees in Tokyo on March 15. It plans to open the five-floor hall in the Shibuya Ward's Udagawachō district (about 10 minutes by walking from Japan Railways' Shibuya Station) in spring 2026. Bandai Namco Base, a new wholly owned su...
Crunchyroll States 'No Announcements About Price Change' Except for Funimation Legacy Subscribers
Some customers have price increase if switching from Funimation legacy subscription following its closure
― Amidst rumors of a Crunchyroll price change for subscribers, Crunchyroll told ANN on Thursday that it had "no announcements about a price change at this time." The company clarified that some people will experience price changes if they were switching from a Funimation-only subscription to Crun...
Oscar-Winning Parasite Film's Director Bong Joon-Ho Plans Animated Project in Japan
Director reveals plans at Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo
― Update: Digital Hollywood CEO Takeshi Yoshimura reported on March 10 that he made a mistake when interpreting for Bong Joon-Ho onstage a week earlier, and that the director did not say in Korean that he was working on an animated project "in Japan." The original article is below: Bong Joon-Ho, the Oscar-winning director and co-writer of th...
Bandai Namco Filmworks Makes Anime Studio 8-Bit Into Wholly Owned Subsidiary
2 companies had announced business partnership in June 2020
― Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on Friday that it will make anime studio 8-Bit into a wholly owned subsidiary as of April 1. The management structure at 8-Bit will remain unchanged. 8-Bit was founded in September 2008 and has its main studio in Tokyo. The studio has produced such anime as: Infinite Stratos, That Time I Got Reincarnated as...
Crunchyroll Confirms Testing A.I. for Subtitling
Company also tests using generative A.I. for different workflows
― In an interview with technology news website The Verge on its Decoder podcast on Monday, Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini confirmed that the company is testing the use of generative A.I. (artificial intelligence) on subtitling and closed captioning. The testing is an effort to "optimize [their] processes" to allow them to release su...
Sony Reduces Global PlayStation Workforce by 8%
900 employees affected across U.S., U.K., Japan, among other offices globally
― Sony announced on Tuesday that it will lay off 8% of its global PlayStation workforce, which includes an estimated 900 employees. The company cited the changing industry landscape, as well as the need to maintain the "long-term sustainability" of the company. The layoffs will be implemented differently across its global ...
Motion Picture Academy Splits Short Films, Animation Branches
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday that it has voted to make two new branches: a Short Films Branch and Animation Branch, both derived from the formerly combined Short Films and Feature Animation Branch. The Short Films Branch will have 200 Academy members and one governor overseeing live-action short films, while the Animation Branch will have 700 Academy members ...
Crunchyroll Offers to Compensate Funimation Digital Copy Owners With 'Appropriate Value'
The Verge's Ash Parrish tested policy to no avail
― In an interview with technology news website The Verge on its Decoder podcast on Monday, Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini revealed that the company is working to offer users migrating from the soon-to-shut-down Funimation app to Crunchyroll with "an appropriate value" of compensation for their digital copies, which Crunchyroll does not support. Cr...
Crunchyroll Launches App for LG Smart TVs
App launches globally today
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that the Crunchyroll application has launched for LG Smart TVs in the U.S. and across international regions. The launch is in collaboration with LG Electronics. The launch comes after the company released the app for Samsung Smart TVs globally earlier this month. The company recently expanded its services onto Amazon's Prime Video chan...
Kazumasa Habu Announces Departure From Digimon Games as Producer
Bandai Namco Entertainment producer began working on Digmon games in 2010
― Bandai Namco Entertainment producer Kazumasa Habu announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday in a series of tweets that he is no longer producing the Digmon franchise's video games. The producer revealed that he had been transitioning from the role of producer since April of last year. He assured fans that the games were i...
Some of 18th Seiyu Awards' Winners Announced
Toshio Furukawa, Eiko Yamada, Akemi Okamura, Nozomu Sasaki honored
― The organizers of the 18th Annual Seiyū Awards announced the winners of the Merit Awards and the Kei Tomiyama/Kazue Takahashi Awards on Tuesday. Merit Awards
Award for the seiyū who have contributed to many genres, including foreign works, over the years
Toshio Furukawa
Agency: Aoni Production
Roles: Mobile Suit Gundam (Kai Shiden),...
Veteran Animator Terumi Nishii on the Problems and Future Facing the Anime Industry
"...Full-time employees have been forced to work hard for the past 20 or 30 years—but it seems that instead of becoming 'full-time employees,' it's more like they are 'slaves.'"
― Recently, I was able to sit down and chat with Terumi Nishii, a veteran animator and character designer with credits ranging from Rurouni Kenshin and PENGUINDRUM to Jujutsu Kaisen and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. But rather th...
Reports: Nintendo Switch Successor to Launch in 1st Quarter 2025
Brazilian journalist Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe reported on Friday in a video that, citing five sources, Nintendo recently told publishers that its successor to the Switch console would launch in the first quarter of 2025. After the report, Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Eurogamer, and Bloomberg also cited sources who corroborated that report. Bloomberg said a Nintendo spokesperson said the company ...
Justin Sevakis' Video Production Company MediaOCD Acquires AnimEigo (Updated)
Home video, digital releases to remain available; Kickstarter releases to remain supported
― Video post-production company MediaOCD and anime distributor AnimEigo announced on Thursday that MediaOCD will acquire AnimEigo's video distribution business. AnimEigo's home video releases will continue to be available at retailers through MVD Entertainment Group, who will also continue distributing AnimEigo...
AMC Settles Class Action Lawsuit Regarding AMC+, HIDIVE, Other Services' Violations of Privacy Law
Company to pay users of its services US$8.3 million settlement; eligible users can file a claim by May 16
― AMC Networks have agreed to settle a class action lawsuit regarding a violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act with a payout of US$8.3 million to the plaintiffs. The company has not admitted to any wrongdoing, but the lawsuit claims that the company's streaming services utilized Meta Pixel...
Good Smile Philippines Online Store Closes
Online store launched in February 2023
― Good Smile Philippines announced on Tuesday that it has closed its online store, as well as its official page on the Shopee online retailer. Customers in the Philippines will still be able to purchase goods from partner stores, as well as the worldwide English store. Good Smile Philippines launched in 2022. The company's first physical partner store was Anipor...
Takara Tomy Announces New President Akio Tomiyama
Executive Vice President assumes new role on June 26
― Toymaker Takara Tomy announced on February 6 that Executive Vice President Akio Tomiyama will take over as President and COO of the company on June 26. The current President Kazuhiro Kojima will become Chairman of the Board and CEO of the company. Tomiyama's father, Kantaro Tomiyama, previously held these titles and will now assume the role of H...
Crunchyroll Streams New 4-Part Documentary on Studio BONES
DeltaRocket's documentary begins streaming on Tuesday
― Crunchyroll announced on Monday that it will begin streaming a new four-part documentary about Studio BONES titled Bones 25: Dreaming Forward on Tuesday. Each part will be 24-minutes long. The company streamed a trailer: Crunchyroll and French production company DeltaRocket are producing the documentary commemorating the 25th anniversary of Stud...
Funimation App Shuts Down on April 2 as Its Accounts Merge With Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll will not support Funimation digital copies
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that the Funimation app will shut down on April 2, as part of the ongoing content and service consolidation from Funimation to Crunchyroll after the companies merged. Each Funimation subscriber can migrate their account to Crunchyroll (including their watch history and queue), or merge their Funimation account...
Imagica Group, OLM Change Representative Directors
Imagica appoints Shunjiro Nagase as president, OLM appoints Hideki Kama
― Media company Imagica Group announced on Tuesday that it and its subsidiary OLM are changing their representative directors and executive officers. The changes will go into effect on April 1. Imagica Group's director and executive officer Shunjiro Nagase will take over Nobuo Fuse's role as president, representative director, an...
Kadokawa Acquires Game Developer ACQUIRE as Wholly Owned Subsidiary
GungHo Entertainment previously acquired company in 2011
― Kadokawa revealed in its earnings report for the third quarter of the current fiscal year on Thursday that it has made game developer and publisher ACQUIRE Corp. into a wholly owned subsidiary. ACQUIRE Corp. was founded in 1994. GungHo Entertainment made the company into a subsidiary in 2011. The developer is best known for creating the Tench...
Kodansha Offers Weekly & Bessatsu Magazine Issues for Free After January 1 Quake
Kodansha offers issues in order to ensure fans can read their favorite manga
― On the evening of January 1, the Noto Peninsula on the Japan Sea side of Japan was struck by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake. Although a month has passed, relief efforts and donations are still pouring in to help those who have been affected by the quake. However, not all the relief is on-site or monetary. Distribution of manga...
Crunchyroll Launches App for Samsung Smart TVs
App launches on Monday in U.S., other markets by end of week
― Crunchyroll announced on Monday that it is launching its app on Samsung smart televisions made between 2017-2023 globally, starting with the U.S. on Monday. Other markets will get the app on Samsung TVs by the end of the week. The company recently expanded its services onto Amazon's Prime Video channels, where the streaming service is ava...
GAGA Corporation Establishes New Anime Media Division
New Anime Media Division further divided into Anime Business Group, Media Contents Business Group
― Gaga Corporation announced on Thursday that it has reorganized its anime-related business organization and created a new Anime Media Division, alongside the Contents Division and Distribution Division. The new Anime Media Division aims to promote diversification through a multi-portfolio strategy. The ...
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