Kadokawa Corporation may only be known today as one of the biggest publishing companies in Japan. But everything will soon change as the company plans to build its own animation studio to expand its presence in the anime industry.
In a report by Animation Business Journal, Kadokawa sets its eye on establishing itself as one of the biggest players in the world of anime by expanding its business in the anime market after its second-quarter financial results revealed its strong performance in the anime business. That said, it announced its medium-term management plans from March 2024 to March 2028.
The strong demand for anime IP seems to incite Kadokawa to enter the anime business, thanks to the widespread global video distribution. Hence, it lays out its plans to develop a media mix in other countries and to invest more in production.
It also wants to strengthen its licensing business by putting anime rights under “All Rights.” In addition, Kadokawa aims to produce longer anime series with multiple seasons and episodes to develop its licensing business. But considering the lack of studios and human resources in the anime business, it plans to bring in an in-house animation production.
Though Kadokawa is already working with other animation studios, like ENGI, StudioKADAN, and Kinema Citrus, it wants to expand its production by creating new studios that are completely its own. Though the business makes 40 titles annually, only five animations are produced under it. So, it fancies to bring these numbers up to 20 per year.
What is Kadokawa known for?
Kadokawa is known for holding the rights to some of the biggest light novel and manga titles today, like Sword Art Online, Classroom of the Elite, and Bungo Stray Dogs, to name a few. The company also makes video games and movies.
And though it’s only today that it plans to establish its own animation studio, it has already made a name in the anime world by making arrangements with the studios to create anime from its manga and light novels. It works on licensing, distribution, and even video sales.
If Kadokawa has managed to establish its own studio, it may come as a big challenge to other studios in business today. With its fame, not to mention its influence in the industry, it evidently has the advantage and may succeed.
