Animenomics
@animenomics.com
Animenomics shares insights on the business and market forces driving the anime and manga industries in Japan and around the world.
🗞️ Newsletter: https://news.animenomics.com/
📧 Contact: editors@animenomics.com
🗞️ Newsletter: https://news.animenomics.com/
📧 Contact: editors@animenomics.com
Kadokawa is writing down the financial value of its nearly ¥3 billion acquisition of anime studio Doga Kobo as the publisher moves to integrate back-office operations and improve profitability across its seven anime studio subsidiaries.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Kadokawa writes down Doga Kobo acquisition
Plus: Anime studio closures at highest level in 7 years; 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' sets sights on China; Web novel platform upstart targets romance readers; and more
news.animenomics.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Kadokawa is writing down the financial value of its nearly ¥3 billion acquisition of anime studio Doga Kobo as the publisher moves to integrate back-office operations and improve profitability across its seven anime studio subsidiaries.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Overseas revenues of Japan's anime industry saw the third consecutive year of double-digit growth in 2024, according to the Association of Japanese Animations, but there is concern at home that anime's domestic market is stagnating.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Anime market outside Japan up 26% in 2024
Plus: Toei Animation looks abroad to form new studios; Kodansha forms Hollywood studio; Disney bets on 'Twisted-Wonderland' to draw anime fans; and more
news.animenomics.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Overseas revenues of Japan's anime industry saw the third consecutive year of double-digit growth in 2024, according to the Association of Japanese Animations, but there is concern at home that anime's domestic market is stagnating.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Animenomics has been named as a finalist in the Los Angeles Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
We are nominated for a story published in February about how the end of de minimis duty exemptions affects imports of anime merchandise into the United States.
We are nominated for a story published in February about how the end of de minimis duty exemptions affects imports of anime merchandise into the United States.
October 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Animenomics has been named as a finalist in the Los Angeles Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
We are nominated for a story published in February about how the end of de minimis duty exemptions affects imports of anime merchandise into the United States.
We are nominated for a story published in February about how the end of de minimis duty exemptions affects imports of anime merchandise into the United States.
Japan's new conservative government under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has signaled new emphasis on supporting exports of the country's entertainment content, such as anime, manga, and video games.
Read this headline and more in this week's business briefing.
Read this headline and more in this week's business briefing.
Japan renews focus on anime, manga exports
Plus: Gov't to encourage loans to fund anime, film productions; 'Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc' leads global box office; LINE Manga seeks sports webtoon innovations; and more
news.animenomics.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Japan's new conservative government under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has signaled new emphasis on supporting exports of the country's entertainment content, such as anime, manga, and video games.
Read this headline and more in this week's business briefing.
Read this headline and more in this week's business briefing.
New York-based anime film distributor GKIDS, which was acquired by film giant Toho last year, plans to invest in more anime co-productions in order to further grow the North American anime market.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
GKIDS to expand anime co-productions under Toho
Plus: Ex-Netflix anime chief's studio develops AI background art tool; Hulu Japan launches digital manga service; Kyoto university builds anime curriculum in India; and more
news.animenomics.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM
New York-based anime film distributor GKIDS, which was acquired by film giant Toho last year, plans to invest in more anime co-productions in order to further grow the North American anime market.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Japan's wholesale trading conglomerates are paving the way for anime, manga, and video game companies to enter the retail merchandising market around the world thanks to their experience in overseas business development.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Manga merchandise availability grows in U.S.
Plus: AI anime studio raises $3m funding round; Bandai Namco Filmworks to become sole Gundam IP rightsholder; Globalization of October anime lineup; and more
news.animenomics.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Japan's wholesale trading conglomerates are paving the way for anime, manga, and video game companies to enter the retail merchandising market around the world thanks to their experience in overseas business development.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Anime rightsholders frustrated with what they view as inadequate safeguards against unauthorized use of intellectual property have forced OpenAI to restrict Sora users' ability to generate videos of specific anime characters by name.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
OpenAI restricts anime IP use on AI video generator
Plus: Kadokawa diversifies its 'isekai' portfolio; CyberAgent taps WIT STUDIO producer to lead new anime studio; 2.5D musicals record fastest growth in years; and more
animenomics.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Anime rightsholders frustrated with what they view as inadequate safeguards against unauthorized use of intellectual property have forced OpenAI to restrict Sora users' ability to generate videos of specific anime characters by name.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Crunchyroll is reentering digital manga distribution in the United States and Canada with a new platform built by Japanese manga application development pioneer Link-U Group.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Crunchyroll relaunches digital manga service
Plus: Multiple October anime premieres delayed; Mercari to open global marketplace app for secondhand merch; Newspaper starts 'oshikatsu' advertising; and more
news.animenomics.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Crunchyroll is reentering digital manga distribution in the United States and Canada with a new platform built by Japanese manga application development pioneer Link-U Group.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Japanese amusement giant Genda is taking control of its North American business and consolidating 14 subsidiaries, showing confidence in local demand for entertainment experiences like Kiddleton claw machines with anime-themed prizes.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Anime arcade machines sweep North America
Plus: Chinese trading card giant enters U.S. market; 'Chainsaw Man' tops Japan box office; Kodansha president explains Roblox partnership; and more
news.animenomics.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Japanese amusement giant Genda is taking control of its North American business and consolidating 14 subsidiaries, showing confidence in local demand for entertainment experiences like Kiddleton claw machines with anime-themed prizes.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Anime cafes are popping up throughout Southeast Asia, where anime fans say they view brands more favorably when anime-inspired products are offered.
Read this story by Jakarta-based correspondent Yohana Belinda.
Read this story by Jakarta-based correspondent Yohana Belinda.
Anime cafes brew fandom in Southeast Asia
From anime-adorned lattes to narrative-inspired curries, a wave of cafes in the region is leveraging pop culture fandom to create vibrant, community-focused culinary destinations
news.animenomics.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Anime cafes are popping up throughout Southeast Asia, where anime fans say they view brands more favorably when anime-inspired products are offered.
Read this story by Jakarta-based correspondent Yohana Belinda.
Read this story by Jakarta-based correspondent Yohana Belinda.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle's first anime film opened in 49 territories last weekend and topped multiple box office charts worldwide, including in North America, with IMAX screens making significant contributions to ticket sales.
Read this headline and more in this week's business briefing.
Read this headline and more in this week's business briefing.
First 'Demon Slayer' finale film tops box office charts
Plus: Anime mobile game revenue grows outside Japan; Disney to invest in Webtoon Entertainment; Publishers prefer coin payments in third-party manga apps; and more
news.animenomics.com
September 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle's first anime film opened in 49 territories last weekend and topped multiple box office charts worldwide, including in North America, with IMAX screens making significant contributions to ticket sales.
Read this headline and more in this week's business briefing.
Read this headline and more in this week's business briefing.
Reposted by Animenomics
Animenomics will present a current overview of how the anime industry works this Saturday, September 13, as part of @animelockdown.bsky.social programming on twitch.tv/animelockdown.
Join us to learn about anime studio financials, anime production committees, and more!
Join us to learn about anime studio financials, anime production committees, and more!
September 13, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Animenomics will present a current overview of how the anime industry works this Saturday, September 13, as part of @animelockdown.bsky.social programming on twitch.tv/animelockdown.
Join us to learn about anime studio financials, anime production committees, and more!
Join us to learn about anime studio financials, anime production committees, and more!
September 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Animenomics will present a current overview of how the anime industry works this Saturday, September 13, as part of @animelockdown.bsky.social programming on twitch.tv/animelockdown.
Join us to learn about anime studio financials, anime production committees, and more!
Join us to learn about anime studio financials, anime production committees, and more!
A senior executive at TMS Entertainment has urged Netflix to share more details on viewer demographics amid efforts by anime producers seeking to reclaim control of marketing efforts for their titles from global streaming platforms.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Anime studios seek more data from streamers
Plus: Hobby retail chain Suruga-ya targets U.S. expansion; Frontier Works acquires Yokohama anime studio; Japanese content market sets new record; and more
news.animenomics.com
September 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
A senior executive at TMS Entertainment has urged Netflix to share more details on viewer demographics amid efforts by anime producers seeking to reclaim control of marketing efforts for their titles from global streaming platforms.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Light novel and manga publisher Overlap will offer 40% of its holding company shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange beginning in October, a sign of optimism in the market for Japan's digital-first light novels and their anime adaptations.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Light novel publisher Overlap readies for IPO
Plus: Manga publishers' licensing rights sales jump; Nagoya jeweler expands anime IP collaborations; Weekly Shonen Jump searches for next hit sports manga; and more
news.animenomics.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Light novel and manga publisher Overlap will offer 40% of its holding company shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange beginning in October, a sign of optimism in the market for Japan's digital-first light novels and their anime adaptations.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Manga's rapid global growth in recent years has been driven almost entirely by rising demand for physical deluxe edition releases rather than digital manga, says an advisor to manga licensing broker Tuttle-Mori Agency.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Deluxe editions drive global manga growth
Plus: Los Angeles to host new anime awards; Japanese entertainment spending hits new record; Virtual YouTuber named to Forbes Japan 30 Under 30; and more
news.animenomics.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Manga's rapid global growth in recent years has been driven almost entirely by rising demand for physical deluxe edition releases rather than digital manga, says an advisor to manga licensing broker Tuttle-Mori Agency.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Japanese anime studios' average annual revenue edged up last year, but a persistent labor shortage is creating a mixed fiscal picture. Large studios sensitive to higher production costs are seeing lower profits compared to 2023.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Labor deficit muddles anime studio financials
Plus: Anime studios shift foreign transactions to new markets; Japan's SVOD leader publishes novels, targets adaptations; Webtoon apps pivot to short videos; and more
news.animenomics.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Japanese anime studios' average annual revenue edged up last year, but a persistent labor shortage is creating a mixed fiscal picture. Large studios sensitive to higher production costs are seeing lower profits compared to 2023.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
One year after WEBTOON Entertainment's IPO on Nasdaq, the digital comics company controlled by South Korean internet giant Naver is accelerating investment in its English platform to counter decline a decline in global readership.
Read our interview with WEBTOON executives.
Read our interview with WEBTOON executives.
Webtoon's Disney deal diversifies content to draw readers
In interviews with Animenomics, Webtoon Entertainment executives outline the digital comics company's plans and challenges for growing in the U.S. and other markets
news.animenomics.com
August 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
One year after WEBTOON Entertainment's IPO on Nasdaq, the digital comics company controlled by South Korean internet giant Naver is accelerating investment in its English platform to counter decline a decline in global readership.
Read our interview with WEBTOON executives.
Read our interview with WEBTOON executives.
Delta Air Lines will add Crunchyroll as a content partner on its Delta Sync in-flight entertainment system, making the streamer's anime library available to up to 120 million members of the carrier's SkyMiles frequent flyer program.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Delta Air Lines sends Crunchyroll to the skies
Plus: NTT Docomo spins off AI anime software developer; Sony anime business likened to PlayStation growth phase; Pop Mart enters largest U.S. shopping mall; and more
news.animenomics.com
August 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Delta Air Lines will add Crunchyroll as a content partner on its Delta Sync in-flight entertainment system, making the streamer's anime library available to up to 120 million members of the carrier's SkyMiles frequent flyer program.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
New York-based @qubicpictures.bsky.social is shifting how it finances international anime co-productions as streaming platforms like Netflix reduce direct financing of anime projects and shift to a traditional licensing model.
Read part two of our interview with CEO Justin Leach.
Read part two of our interview with CEO Justin Leach.
Qubic Pictures adapts to Netflix anime shift
In part two of an interview with Animenomics, CEO Justin Leach explains his company's plan to form an anime production committee for future international co-productions
news.animenomics.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:24 PM
New York-based @qubicpictures.bsky.social is shifting how it finances international anime co-productions as streaming platforms like Netflix reduce direct financing of anime projects and shift to a traditional licensing model.
Read part two of our interview with CEO Justin Leach.
Read part two of our interview with CEO Justin Leach.
AlphaPolis has acquired all shares in "Re:Zero" anime studio White Fox in a deal that allows the digital manga and web novel publisher to diversify operations and transform itself into an IP production company.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
AlphaPolis acquires 'Re:Zero' anime studio
Plus: OceanVeil service grows adult content scrutiny; Fewer Japanese readers pay for digital manga; Double-digit decline in Japan print light novel market; and more
news.animenomics.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
AlphaPolis has acquired all shares in "Re:Zero" anime studio White Fox in a deal that allows the digital manga and web novel publisher to diversify operations and transform itself into an IP production company.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
New York-based @qubicpictures.bsky.social is ensuring the voices of anime studios and creators are heard as the entry of global streaming video platforms into Japan since 2015 prompted renewed interest in international anime co-productions.
Read part one of our interview with CEO Justin Leach.
Read part one of our interview with CEO Justin Leach.
Qubic Pictures refines anime co-productions
In part one of an interview with Animenomics, CEO Justin Leach charts his company's journey to find the right model for working with Japan's anime studios
news.animenomics.com
August 4, 2025 at 5:03 PM
New York-based @qubicpictures.bsky.social is ensuring the voices of anime studios and creators are heard as the entry of global streaming video platforms into Japan since 2015 prompted renewed interest in international anime co-productions.
Read part one of our interview with CEO Justin Leach.
Read part one of our interview with CEO Justin Leach.
Sony will invest about ¥68 billion (US$463 million) in Bandai Namco, acquiring a 2.5% stake in the toys, anime, and gaming giant and potentially giving Sony access to distribute high-value IPs like Bandai Namco's iconic Gundam property.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Sony takes $463m stake in Bandai Namco
Plus: Billboard Japan prepares publication's first top manga chart; Domestic digital manga growth slows again; Girls more active manga readers than boys; and more
news.animenomics.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Sony will invest about ¥68 billion (US$463 million) in Bandai Namco, acquiring a 2.5% stake in the toys, anime, and gaming giant and potentially giving Sony access to distribute high-value IPs like Bandai Namco's iconic Gundam property.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Japanese broadcasting group TBS has tapped former TV Tokyo anime chief Yukio Kawasaki—who brokered the 2009 deal that allowed Crunchyroll to pivot from pirated anime streaming—to lead its new anime and IP production business.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
TBS taps veteran anime exec for new IP unit
Plus: Sony adds anime collabs to immersive attraction; Anime industry ally reelected to Japan upper house; Hideaki Anno joins Production I.G board; and more
news.animenomics.com
July 23, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Japanese broadcasting group TBS has tapped former TV Tokyo anime chief Yukio Kawasaki—who brokered the 2009 deal that allowed Crunchyroll to pivot from pirated anime streaming—to lead its new anime and IP production business.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Anime Expo organizer Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation is weighing a possible move of the convention from downtown Los Angeles as turnstile attendance numbers show signs of reaching capacity.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Anime Expo mulls move from Los Angeles
Plus: Bilibili finds new momentum with profitability; South Korea's Krafton acquires anime advertising giant ADK; Harmony Gold and Bigwest reengage; and more
news.animenomics.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Anime Expo organizer Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation is weighing a possible move of the convention from downtown Los Angeles as turnstile attendance numbers show signs of reaching capacity.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.