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Japan Post, Good Smile Temporarily Suspend Package Delivery to U.S. Due to Import Tariffs
Packages over US$100 in value no longer accepted beginning on Wednesday
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The Japan Post announced that effective on Wednesday, it will temporarily suspend package delivery to and from the U.S. for packages exceeding US$100 in value and consumer goods, citing recent legislation surrounding import tariffs. Personal items under US$100 in value, as well as small EMS packages will still be accepted for ...
Toei Animation Establishes New Studio in Osaka
Toei's Osaka Studio aims to recruit talented artists in Kansai region
― Toei Animation announced on Tuesday the establishment of its new production base in Osaka. The new Osaka Studio aims to further expand Toei Animation's production work, recruit talented artists in the Kansai region, and strengthen ties with the local community. With recent advances in networking and digital technology, the Osaka ...
Kakao Entertainment Shuts Down 11 Piracy Sites, Deletes 160 Million Illegal Works in 1st Half of 2025
Company has identified operators behind more than 130 sites, leading to closure of 29 since 2021
― Kakao Entertainment, the parent company of webtoon platform Tapas, announced on August 19 that it shut down 11 piracy websites worldwide and deleted more than 160 million illegally distributed works in the first half of 2025, as part of its ongoing global anti-piracy campaign. The company detailed its ...
WEBTOON Subsidiary Studio LICO Joins Naver Labor Dispute After Breakdown in Wage Talks
Studio LICO calls for its “global incentives” to be counted toward base salary, for salary increases to be in line with its parent
― Naver, the parent company of WEBTOON Entertainment, is facing mounting labor unrest after wage negotiations with six of its subsidiaries collapsed on August 12. The dispute has now drawn in Studio LICO, a WEBTOON-owned production house best known for producing the webt...
Webtoon Market in Korea Slows Sharply in 1st Half of 2025 as Platforms Consolidate
8,123 webtoons were registered in 1st half of 2025, down 17.9%
― South Korea's webtoon industry showed clear signs of slowdown in the first half of 2025, with fewer titles being released and several smaller platforms exiting the market. The result is a deeper concentration of content and revenue among top platforms. According to the “H1 2025 Comics and Webtoon Distribution Statistics” report release...
WEBTOON Entertainment Narrows Net Loss in Q2 on U.S., Japan Growth
Company reports revenue reached US$348.3 million
― WEBTOON Entertainment significantly narrowed its operating loss in the second quarter of 2025 thanks to growth in both the U.S. and Japanese markets. According to a filing on Aug 12, the company reported that revenue reached US$348.3 million, up 8.5% from US$321 million a year earlier. Net loss also shrank to US$3.88 million, down from US$76.57 mill...
GungHo Online Entertainment Dismisses Former Senior Executive for Embezzlement With Plans to File Criminal Charges
Employee embezzled about 246 million yen by making fictitious business orders to self
― Japanese game developer GungHo Online Entertainment announced on Thursday that it has dismissed a former executive-level employee for embezzlement on July 24, and it is consulting with a criminal investigative authority to discuss the possibility of filing a criminal complaint against them. The employee had misapp...
Ascendent Animation Issues Statement Regarding Kiba Walker Following Sexual Allegations With Minors
Ascendent Animation claims no affiliation with Walker, stating that they were not President nor founder
― Ascendent Animation released a statement on Monday regarding voice actor Kiba Walker (also known as "Salem Moon" in drag and LGBTQ+ circles), following allegations made against Walker on July 30 for sending sexually suggestive messages to minors. The company claimed that it "has had no affiliatio...
Crunchyroll Announces Layoffs, Organizational Growth Model for Regional Teams
Crunchyroll to build engineering hubs in U.S., Mexico, India
― Entertainment news website Variety reported on Tuesday on a memo that Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini sent out to staff, and it reveals that Crunchyroll is laying off a number of employees. In addition, some employees will expand their scope, and others will get new role assignments. These changes are effective as of Tuesday in the U.S...
Crunchyroll Partners With Delta to Offer Anime as In-Flight Entertainment
Anime will be available on Delta's seatback screens later this year
― Crunchyroll announced on Monday that it will offer "specially curated" anime on Delta flights later this year as in-flight entertainment on seatback screens. The company did not specify which series will be available, but it teased 2,000 titles and 50,000 episodes. It will share more details in the future. Crunchyroll launched on Y...
Pierrot Changes Corporate Name to Studio Pierrot
Pierrot was founded in 1979 under corporate name Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.
― Animation studio Pierrot announced last Friday that it has changed its corporate name from "Pierrot Co., Ltd." to "Studio Pierrot Co., Ltd." Yūji Nunokawa founded Pierrot under the corporate name Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd. in 1979. Since then, the studio has worked on a large number of works including The Wonderful Adventures of ...
Disney+ to Integrate Hulu Streaming Service Into Singular App
Both services to stream content on app launching in 2026
― Entertainment news website Variety reported on Wednesday that Disney+ is "fully integrating" the Hulu streaming service, and a new singular app with both Disney+ and Hulu services will launch in 2026. The subscription services will remain standalone, but both Disney+ and Hulu will be accessible from the unified app. Disney already offers bund...
Comic Exporters, Comic Holdings to Sell Diamond UK to New Company Diamond Distributors UK
Agreement pending approval of United States Bankruptcy Court
― Comic Exporters and Comic Holdings, subsidiaries of Diamond Comic Distributors Inc., announced on July 31 that the companies have entered into an agreement to sell 100% of the shares of Diamond Comic Distributors UK (Diamond UK) to Diamond Distributors UK Ltd., a new company owned and managed by the existing management team of Diamond UK....
Game Development Company Yuke's to Purchase Aquaplus
AQUAPLUS to become subsidiary of Yuke's on August 29
― Game development company Yuke's announced on Monday that it has agreed to acquire the shares of AQUAPLUS, which will become its subsidiary. With the acquisition, AQUAPLUS' subsidiary Fix Records Inc. will also become a subsidiary of Yuke's. The acquisition is scheduled to take place on August 29 with a transfer price is 783,520,000 yen (about US$...
Korean Government Reveals Plans to Offer Tax Credits for Webtoon Production Costs
Eligible content includes webtoons, digital comics distributed via online network
― In a move to boost the global competitiveness of South Korea's webtoon industry, the government announced plans to introduce tax credits covering 10–15% of production costs for digital comics. As part of the 2025 tax reform plan the Ministry of Economy and Finance unveiled on July 31, the new measure aims to strength...
Publisher AlphaPolis Acquires Anime Studio White Fox
Tsukimichi, GATE publisher to make Re:Zero, Arifureta anime studio a wholly owned subsidiary
― Japanese publishing company AlphaPolis announced on Thursday that it will acquire the anime studio WHITE FOX, and will make WHITE FOX a wholly owned subsidiary. The acquisition date is set for September 30. AlphaPolis stated in the announcement it is aiming to diversify its business into animation, merchand...
Anime Studio Gaina Changes Name to Benten Film After Being Acquired by AI Animation Company Creator's X
Gaina produced Baban Baban Ban Vampire, Forest of Piano, Grendizer U anime
― Anime studio Gaina announced on Friday that it is changing its name to Benten Film after being acquired by AI animation company Creator's X. Kinoshita Group Holdings, which had fully acquired Gaina (formerly known as Fukushima Gainax) in July 2018, has transferred all of its shares of Gaina to Creator's X. "Benten" is a refe...
VShojo Releases Statement Following Talent Exodus
VShojo CEO Justin Ignacio: I am sharing the difficult news that VShojo is shutting down, and I take full responsibility for the decisions that led us to this point.
― VTuber agency VShojo's CEO Justin Ignacio released a statement on Friday following the mass exodus of VShojo talent. Ignacio stated that VShojo is shutting down and he takes full responsibility for “the decisions that led us to this poi...
Bandai Namco, Sony Sign Strategic Business Partnership
Sony also acquires about 2.5% of Bandai Namco shares
― Bandai Namco Holdings announced on Thursday that it has signed a strategic business alliance agreement with Sony Group Corporation, aimed at strengthening engagement among anime and manga fans. Sony also agreed to acquire 16 million Bandai Namco shares held by existing shareholders for approximately 68 billion yen (about US$464.5 million), making...
VTuber Ironmouse Leaves VShojo, Triggering Exodus of Most of Agency's Talent (Updated)
Exodus follows allegations VShojo owes over US$500,000 to Immune Deficiency Foundation charity
― American virtual VTuber entertainer Ironmouse announced she left her agency VShojo on her YouTube channel on Monday, and most of VShojo's talent lineup have since announced their departures by the following day. Ironmouse's 11-minute announcement video opens with Ironmouse alleging VShojo owes the Immune ...
'Your Rights' Company Established to Let Fans Invest in Anime Titles' Rights, Revenue-Sharing
Former MAPPA producer Makoto Kimura, blockchain company FungibleX's Yū Numazuki head company
― Anime planning company Blue Rights and blockchain-based venture company FungibleX jointly founded the Your Rights company in May, with Blue Rights' Makoto Kimura and FungibleX's Yū Numazaki heading the new company. The new company aims to use blockchain technology to make the rights for an anime partially a...
Fighting for a Better Anime Industry - An Interview with Animator Supporters' Jun Sugawara and Genga-chan
Burnt-out animators, low wages, excruciating deadlines, and toxic working conditions. How is Animator Supporters continuing to push to make a better workplace in anime production?
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Over the past few years, I've had amazing and unique opportunities to speak with some of the anime industry's greatest creatives. However, these luminaries' experiences don't always precisely align with those of animator...
Oshi no Ko Franchise Joins Campaign to Prevent Underage Smoking
Characters Ruby Hoshino, Kana Arima, & Memcho say, “Don't smoke in your dream teen years!”
― The Oshi no Ko franchise announced on July 4 that it partnered with the Tobacco Institute of Japan for a campaign to prevent underage smoking. The franchise released the key visual for the campaign and notes the institute runs such a campaign every July. The visual has the franchise's characters Ruby Hoshino,...
Creators Criticize Japanese Political Party's Plans for Manga, Anime, Games
Sanseitō: Authorize government to ensure manga, anime, games' "healthy development as culture"
― With the Japanese Upper House elections set for Sunday, a new policy platform involving manga, anime, and games from the ultra-conservative Sanseitō party came to light earlier this week. X (formerly Twitter) user @masanews3 posted a screenshot of a Sanseitō's policy measures for these fields and asked, ...
Hideaki Anno Becomes Production I.G Board Member in August
Evangelion director, studio Khara founder joins board on August 21
― Production I.G announced on Friday that it has appointed anime director Hideaki Anno as a member of its company board of directors. Anno is the founder and president of the studio Khara, which also confirmed the announcement. The appointment will go into effect on August 21. Tomonori Tanaka, a current board director of East Group Ho...
Sponsors Return for Fuji TV's Summer Anime Season
Chibi Maruko-chan ends 3-month sponsorship drought
― ANN's Japan-based staff confirmed the return of sponsors with the full-fledged start of Fuji TV's summer season for anime, as of Thursday. Specifically, three long-running Fuji TV anime series are airing with full sponsorship: GeGeGe no Kitarō: Watashi no Ai Shita Rekidai GeGeGe (a rerun of selected GeGeGe no Kitarō episodes from the franchise's 6...
Publisher HarperCollins to Acquire Crunchyroll's Manga Publishing Operations in France, Germany
Companies to close transaction in 2nd half of 2025
― Publisher HarperCollins announced on Wednesday that it is planning to acquire Crunchyroll's manga publishing operations in France and Germany. The companies are scheduled to close the transaction in the second half of 2025, subject to regulatory approval. Hideki Iyama-Desseigne will lead the team following the acquisition and will report to Chantal...
Crunchyroll's Annecy Moment: A Missed Opportunity for Industry Transformation
Watching the 40-minute presentation unfold, one can't help but feel that Crunchyroll fundamentally misunderstood the assignment.
― "It's a great time to be an anime fan," declares Mitchel Berger, Crunchyroll's EVP of Global Commerce and Theatrical, as he takes the stage at this year's Annecy Festival. Berger's confidence reflects his front-row seat to anime's evolution over the past decade from its d...
Blue Lock Creator Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Producer Makoto Kimura Establish Media Company
Chimera Club aims to produce media with manga as "starting point"
― Manga creator Muneyuki Kaneshiro and anime producer Makoto Kimura announced on Tuesday that they have established a new media production company named Chimera Club. The company aims to bring together talented creators to produce works that break down the barriers between different forms of media, with manga as a "starting point." Kim...
Kodansha Wins Copyright Infringment Lawsuit Against Russian Company IQ Art Management
IQ had held paid event featuring Kodansha's works without authorization in 2023
― Kodansha announced last Wednesday that it won its copyright infringement lawsuit against Russian company IQ Art Management LLC on June 24. In early July 2023, Kodansha learned that IQ held a paid event in St. Petersburg, Russia from April-October 2023. The event featured 18 exhibited works, such as Attack on Titan, with...
Global Anime Challenge Unites Industry Veterans to Mentor Aspiring Animators and Tackle Crunch Culture for a Healthier Future
Anime talents behind Frieren, The Elusive Samurai, & Your Name reflect on industry hardships and whether unionization could be the key to lasting reform.
― At Anime Central 2025, Anime News Network sat down with four of Japan's rising anime talents—director Keiichiro Saitō (Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Bocchi the Rock!), producer Takafumi Nakame (The Garden of Words, Your Name), and animators Kaoru...
Kako Kuwahara Appointed as New President, CEO of Nippon TV Music
Kuwahara previously served as Head of International Business, Head of Anime Business at Nippon TV
― Nippon TV announced on Monday that Kako Kuwahara is the new president and CEO of Nippon Television Music Corporation, the music publishing arm of Nippon TV. Nippon Television Music Corporation is a subsidiary of Nippon Television Holdings, Inc. Kuwahara replaces Akihiro Shimizu. Shimizu has been appoin...
WEBTOON Launches Consumer Goods Division
WEBTOON's production company has been renamed WEBTOON Productions
― WEBTOON Entertainment announced on Thursday a major organizational shake-up, including the creation of a Consumer Goods Division and a rebranding of its production company. Tina McIntyre, formerly SVP and Head of Global Publishing, will lead the new Consumer Goods Division as SVP, Head of Consumer Goods. Her expanded role will encom...
LINE Manga Tops Japan's App Revenue Rankings in 1st Half of 2025
LINE Manga retains top spot for comics & novels category for 2nd consecutive half-year
― LINE Manga, Naver Webtoon's Japanese-language platform, was the highest-grossing app in Japan during the first half of 2025, according to data released by mobile analytics firm data.ai on July 8. The ranking, based on combined consumer spending on iOS and Android platforms (including games), placed LINE Manga at...
ABC Animation Establishes Music Production Company, Produces Theme Songs for Shūkan Ranobe Anime Program
Voice actress Chihaya Yoshitake performs "Hajimari no Aizu" opening; Ayaka Nanase feat. Takayuki "Kojiro"Sasaki perform "Gunjō to Mikan no Kanata" ending
― ABC Animation announced on Tuesday that it has launched a music business and label. Along with the announcement, the company revealed that it will release the opening and ending theme songs for the Shūkan Ranobe Anime (Weekly Light Novel Anime) pr...
Curation Entertainment Partners Announces Partnership with Manga Publisher DouDouDoujin
Companies aim to expand global manga through B!JuKu platform
― Digital Entertainment company Curation Entertainment Partners, Inc. (CEP) announced on Sunday during Anime Expo a new partnership with Japanese indie manga publisher DouDouDoujin. The companies aim to offer new opportunities for global creators and manga fans in sharing their works, engaging fans, and partnering creators. The two companie...
Pony Canyon Enters Business Partnership With TriF Studio
TriF Studio collaborated with Pony Canyon on Mecha-Ude TV anime
― The entertainment company Pony Canyon announced on Tuesday that it is entering a formalized business partnership with the animation studio TriF Studio. With the business partnership, Pony Canyon intends to further its relationship with TriF Studio, and invest in the future and creative potential of TriF Studio by strengthening the stud...
Evangelion CG Animator Yusuke Matsui to Announce Khara's New Anime Short on July 4
Matsui to present new short at Japan Expo in Paris, France
― Studio Khara revealed on Friday that Yusuke Matsui (CG animator and CG animation director for Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time) will announce a new anime short at this year's Japan Expo event in Paris, France on July 4 at 11:00 a.m. (18:00 JST). Matsui was a CG animation director for Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time, Gravity R...
K Manga Service Expands to More Countries
U.K., Ireland, Italy, France, Gemany, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Poland, South Korea, more
― The official X (formerly Twitter) account of Kodansha's K Manga service announced on Tuesday that it is now available in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malt...
Aquaplus Parent Company Negotiating to Sell Subsidiary Off
Aquaplus launches ToHeart game remake, recently announced new Utawarerumono entry, project kizuna
― Pole to Win Holdings (PTW), the parent company of game developer AQUAPLUS, announced on Tuesday that it is withdrawing from the media and content business, and thus has decided to transfer all shares of its consolidated subsidiary AQUAPLUS to an outside company. PTW recognized that since the media and ...
Exclusive: Mahjong Pros Announces New Publishing Imprint, Licenses Reform with No Wasted Draws - The Legend of Koizumi Manga
Mahjong Pros Publishing to also release 136 Ready-to-Use Mahjong Strategy & Tactics in early Q4 2025
― Mahjong set company Mahjong Pros revealed on Tuesday the new Mahjong Pros Publishing imprint, which will focus on licensing, localizing, and distributing mahjong-themed manga and textbooks. The imprint has licensed the following two titles from Takeshobo: Hideki Ohwada's Reform with No Wasted Draws ...
Korean Game Firm Krafton to Acquire Ad Agency & Anime Sponsor ADK
ADK has been involved with production of Precure, Gundam, Doraemon, Crayon Shin-chan anime
― South Korean game developer Krafton announced on Tuesday that it has entered an agreement to acquire Japanese advertising agency Asatsu-DK (ADK) for 75 billion yen (about US$518 million) from ADK's parent company Bain Capital Japan. Asatsu Inc. merged with Dai-Ichi Kikaku Co., Ltd. to form Asatsu-DK (ADK) in ...
Shout! Studios Appoints Thomas Breckenridge as Director of Product Development and Marketing for Anime
Breckenridge previously worked at Right Stuf, Crunchyroll
― Shout! Studios announced on Monday that it has appointed Thomas Breckenridge to the new role of Director of Product Development and Marketing (Anime Content). In this role, Breckenridge will guide the acquisition, product development, and marketing strategies for licensing anime for home video. Breckenridge will report to Vice President Meli...
Lionsgate Vice-Chairman: We Can Remake a Film as 'Anime' in 3 Hours in AI
Vulture article details how the industry is using generative AI both openly & behind the curtains
― Reporter Lila Shapiro highlighted how generative AI is being used in the film industry, both openly and behind the curtains, in a June 4 article on New York magazine's entertainment news website Vulture. Shapiro spoke with industry insiders, particularly those in Hollywood, for the "Everyone Is Alread...
MBC Invests in Webtoon Studio Jaedam Media
Companies plan to jointly develop, commercialize IP across various formats with new partnership
― South Korean broadcaster MBC has made a strategic equity investment in webtoon and web novel production company Jaedam Media to strengthen its content competitiveness and expand its intellectual property (IP) business. Announced earlier this month, the partnership enables both companies to jointly devel...
Sanrio Becomes 4th Biggest Shareholder of Production I.G, Wit Studio's Parent
IG Port raises 1.6 billion yen (US$11 million) in sale of shares
― IG Port — the parent company of animation studios Production I.G and Wit Studio, and publisher Mag Garden — announced on Tuesday that it has entered into a capital and business alliance with character and merchandise company Sanrio. IG Port issued 929,100 shares valued at 1,750 yen (about US$12) per share via third-party allotment, an...
Piracy Site EnryuManga Removes Naver Titles Following Cease-and-Desist from Webtoon Ent.
Piracy site encouraged users to read on official platforms such as WEBTOON, Wattpad
― EnryuManga, an unauthorized webcomic hosting site, has removed all Naver WEBTOON content after receiving a cease-and-desist notice from WEBTOON Entertainment. In a statement posted on its homepage, EnryuManga confirmed the takedown and cited “the safety of our team members” and “the most mature course” as reasons fo...
Dark Horse's Parent Company Embracer Group Promotes Phil Rogers to CEO
Company names founder/CEO Lars Wingefors as Executive Chair of the Board on August 1
― Dark Horse parent company Embracer Group is promoting Phil Rogers from Deputy CEO to CEO on August 1. The company is also naming its founder and CEO Lars Wingefors as Executive Chair of the Board on the same day. This is part of Embracer Group's restructuring. Rogers became the CEO of Eidos (Tomb Raider) in 2008. H...
SAG-AFTRA, Video Game Employers Reach Tentative Agreement on Interactive Media Contract
Agreement terms subject for review, approval by National Board
― The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) labor union announced on Monday that it has reached a tentative agreement with the signatory video game companies — which include Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Game...
Naver Webtoon Introduces Stricter Hate Speech Guidelines After Controversy
Move follows backlash over amateur webtoon Otherworldly Pongpong Man
― In response to mounting criticism over hate-filled content, Naver Webtoon announced on May 29 it will introduce its revamped content and community guidelines aimed at preventing discriminatory or offensive material. The updated rules will take effect on June 30. The move follows backlash over the amateur webtoon Otherworldly Pong...
Toei Animation Reveals Foxing: Kitsuné-tsuki Anime as 1st Work in New 'Eterna Animation' Brand
New brand to focus on original animation works
― Toei Animation revealed on Thursday it is launching a new original animation brand called ETERNA Animation, in celebration of the studio's 70th anniversary in 2026. Toei Animation stated regarding the new company: Through ETERNA Animation, the company will establish a sustainable creative platform dedicated to the ongoing production of original works. ...
Korean Government Agencies to Release Standard Contract Guidebook for Webtoon Industry
Standard contract guidebook to include key protections for webtoon creators
― South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency (KOMACON) announced on May 29 that they will release an official commentary guidebook for the standard contract used in the comics and webtoon industry. The guidebook will be made available to the public on June 13. The standa...
Operator of Illegal Webtoon Site OKToon Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison
Court also orders forfeiture of about US$510,000 for copyright infringement
― The operator of OKToon, a major illegal webtoon piracy site, has been sentenced to prison by a South Korean court. On May 26, the Daejeon District Court sentenced the defendant (identified as A) to three years in prison and ordered a forfeiture of about US$510,000 for violating copyright law. A was found guilty of operatin...
Japan's Ad Firm CyberAgent Partners With China's Social Media Platform Weibo
Marketing tie-up is part of CyberAgent's global expansion plan for its anime
― CyberAgent announced on Wednesday that its Anime & IP Business Division has signed a marketing partnership with Weibo, one of China's largest social media platforms, with the aim to strengthen the global expansion of CyberAgent's anime. As part of the marketing partnership, CyberAgent's Anime & IP Division will open its of...
Abrams Books, Abrams ComicArts Employees Vote in Favor of Union
Company has voted to unionize with 88% vote for in favor of unionization
― ICv2 reported on Monday that employees at Abrams Books and its manga- and comic book-focused division Abrams ComicArts have voted to unionize with an 88% vote for the union. The new union is part of UAW Local 2110. The voting took place from April 30 to May 21 and follows multiple rounds of layoffs and health benefit cuts at t...
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Studio ZAG Entertainment to Establish ZAG Japan
Toei Animation's Kanji Kazahaya joins as COO with Hironobu Kageyama agreeing to perform theme songs
― ZAG Entertainment, the French animation studio behind the Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir animated series, will establish a new studio in Japan in July. ZAG Japan will have Kanji Kazahaya as its chief operating officer. Kazahaya spent 15 years in executive leadership roles at Toei Animation,...
Eagle Talon Creator Ryō Ono Appointed as DLE's New President
Animator also known as "FROGMAN" replaces Hideo Hoshi
― Animation studio DLE announced on Friday that the company's chief creative officer and Eagle Talon creator Ryō Ono will be appointed as its new representative director and president, replacing Hideo Hoshi, who resigned from the position. Ono's appointment will be officially confirmed at the company's Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on J...
S. Korea FTC Finds Over 1,000 Unfair Terms in Webtoon, Web Novel Contracts
23 content providers including RIDI, Lezhin Comics ordered to correct contracts
― South Korea's Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has identified a sweeping number of unfair contract terms used by major webtoon and web novel content providers, including clauses allowing for the unauthorized production and use of derivative works such as films and dramas without proper consent from creators. According to a...
Crunchyroll Research: Over Half of Gen Z Globally Are Anime Fans
Study with National Research Group: anime's fandom in ages 13-28 rivals Beyoncé's, NBA's
― On May 20, anime streaming platform Crunchyroll and the National Research Group (NRG) released a study examining anime and its fandom. Titled “How Anime Became a Worldwide Cultural Force," the study surveyed 29,000 "general entertainment consumers" between ages 13 to 54 from the United States, United Kingdom, I...
Penguin Random House to Stop Offering Books Through Diamond Comics
Move affects Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Kodansha USA
― Penguin Random House Publisher Services notified clients on Wednesday that it would no longer offer books through Diamond Comic Distributors as a sub-distributor, with the final order cutoff date for products set for May 26, and final day on sale on June 25. The move affects Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, and BOOM! Studi...
New Manga Publisher BluPetal to Release BL, Shōjo, Yuri, Josei Titles
BluPetal comprised of former employees from Crunchyroll, Seven Seas, Viz, more
― An official website and X/Twitter account opened on Wednesday for a new English manga publisher BluPetal. BluPetal will publish works with a target audience of women, including BL (boys-love), shōjo, yuri, josei, TL (teens' love), and gay comic works. BluPetal is comprised of former employees from Crunchyroll, Seven Seas...
Anime Herald Launches Print Magazine (Updated)
Disclosure: Several Anime News Network staff members are involved in the inaugural issue of the Anime Herald Magazine. Those staff members were not involved in the production of this article. The staff of the Anime Herald website announced on Monday that the website will launch a print magazine on its 15th anniversary. The Anime Herald Magazine's inaugural issue will ship in October 2025 and will ...
Kadokawa Enters Agreement to Acquire Italian Manga/Novel Publisher Edizioni BD/J-Pop Manga
Kadokawa to acquire 70% of shares to make Edizioni BD subsidiary
― Kadokawa announced on Monday that it has made an agreement with Italian manga and light novel publisher Edizioni BD S.r.l (also known as J-Pop Manga) to acquire 70% of the shares and make it a subsidiary. The acquisition is not yet complete. Following the acquisition, Edizioni BD President and CEO Marco Schiavone would own 20% of shar...
TBS Establishes New Planning Company With Focus on Animation
New company CIP aims to maximize revenue, accelerate global expansion of IP
― Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) Holdings, the parent company of the Japanese television network TBS, announced on May 14 a new company tentatively named CIP that is focused on planning, developing, and producing animation. TBS is investing 30 billion yen (about US$207 million) to establish the company with goals to maximize...
Webtoon Entertainment Reports US$26.6 Million Operating Loss in Q1 Amid Weak Yen, Won
Company marks 1st year-on-year revenue drop since going public in June 2023
― Webtoon Entertainment reported an operating loss of US$26.63 million for the first quarter of 2025, marking a sharp downturn from an operating profit of US$14.19 million in the same period last year. The results were disclosed on May 13. The company also posted a net loss of US$21.97 million, with adjusted EBITDA (Earnings...
Brownies Game Company Becomes Mutan's Subsidiary
Acquisition based on positive agreement took effect May 11
― Game developer Brownies announced on May 15 that it has become a subsidiary of another game development company MUTAN, as of May 11. MUTAN's announcement clarified that its acquisition of Brownies is not the result of management difficulties. MUTAN stated that the acquisition is based on a positive agreement that both companies share in the...
Konami to Establish 'Konami Arcade Games' Company in June
Bemani composer Yoshitaka Nishimura to become president of new company
― Konami Group Corporation announced on Thursday that it will transfer a portion of its business from Konami Amusement to a new company called Konami Arcade Games. The new company will be established on June 2 through an absorption-type split, and the split will be effective on October 1. Konami said the purpose of splitting the c...
SNK CEO Kenji Matsubara Steps Down, Transitions to Advisory Role
SNK's board chairman to serve as interim CEO
― Fighting game company SNK announced on Tuesday that CEO Kenji Matsubara will step down as CEO and "transition to an advisory role." During a transitional period, the company's board has appointed its chairman to serve as interim CEO (the announcement did not say who the chairman was, but SNK's website does list the seven members of its board). SNK appoin...
Demon Slayer Staff Addresses Infinity Castle Film's Trailer Leak
"Filming a movie inside a theater is a crime under the Law for Prevention of Unauthorized Recording of Films"
― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba franchise issued a statement in Japanese on Sunday about a leaked trailer for the upcoming Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle film, and repeated the statement in English on Tuesday. Theaters in Japa...
GameStop Canada Returns to EB Games Branding
Storefronts rebranded as GameStop Canada in 2021
― French-Canadian entrepreneur Stephen Tetrault acquired Electronics Boutique Canada inc. from GameStop Global Holdings S.A.R.L. on May 5 and will rebrand the stores as EB Games Canada. The Canadian storefronts of the video game retail chain rebranded into GameStop Canada in July 2021, after being established under the EB Games Canada title in 1993. T...
Webtoon Names Priya Girishankar as Head of Marketing for Global English-Language Platform
Grishankar previously worked at Disney, Los Angeles Times
― The Hollywood Reporter reported on Wednesday that WEBTOON Entertainment has appointed Priya Girishankar as the new head of marketing for its global English-language platform. Based at the company's headquarters in Los Angeles, Girishankar will report directly to Yongsoo Kim, the Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global WEBTOON. She will le...
Kakao Entertainment Establishes New U.S. Subsidiary
New company will lead Kakao Ent. to strengthen its global presence, explore new business opportunities
― Kakao Entertainment, the parent company of webtoon/web novel platform Tapas, has established a new subsidiary in the United States to strengthen its global presence and explore new business opportunities. The new entity, Kakao Entertainment Global (KEG), is based in Los Angeles, California, and w...
JoongAng, Lotte Groups to Merge Cinema Chains, Forming South Korea's Largest Theater Operator
Merged group will operate 1,682 screens nationwide, surpassing CGV
― JoongAng Group and retail giant Lotte Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to merge their respective cinema chains — Megabox and Lotte Cinema — creating what will become South Korea's largest theatrical exhibition company. The joint venture, which will be co-managed by both groups, is designed to expedite new investment ...
Answerman - How Will President Trump's Proposed Foreign Film Tariff Affect Anime?
If you need answers about this developing story, Jerome lays out if anime will likely be affected and, if it is, the potential economic fallout for the anime industry.
― Readers ask: “Many, many people are asking how Donald Trump's announcement that America will impose a 100% 'tariff' on movies 'produced in foreign lands' will affect anime. How will this work?” Let's get straight into it and break t...
Sony, Bandai Namco Jointly Invest 10 Billion Yen in Web3/AI Company Gaudiy
3 companies aim to develop Japanese IP globally
― Sony Group Corporation and Bandai Namco Holdings announced on Thursday that they have jointly invested 10 billion yen (about US$69.1 million) in Tokyo-based Web3 and AI company Gaudiy, to begin a strategic entertainment and technology partnership. The partnership among the three companies will focus on five themes: Promote initiatives to expand Japane...
Nintendo Sells 10.80 Million Switch Units in Fiscal Year 2025, Expects to Sell 15 Million Switch 2 Units in Next Year
Nintendo has sold 152.12 million Switch units as of March 31
― Nintendo revealed on Thursday the year-end results for the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2025, noting that the Nintendo Switch console has sold 152.12 million units as of March 31. This number includes sales for the Nintendo Switch, Lite, and OLED consoles. Switch software sales amount to 1.391 billion units. Nintendo is also foreca...
BL Anime Studio Grizzly Dissolves
Studio animated Twittering Birds Never Fly film, Yarichin Bitch-bu OAV
― According to a report in the National Tax Registry of Japan and Commercial Registry of Japan, Mappa's sister BL animation studio Grizzly dissolved on February 25. The studio produced the first film in the planned anime trilogy of Kou Yoneda's boys-love manga Twittering Birds Never Fly (Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai). Saezuru Tori...
Trump Seeks '100%' Tariffs on All Movies Produced Outside U.S.
U.S. president: "Concerted effort" to move production outside U.S. is national security threat
― U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media site Truth Social on Sunday that he is authorizing the Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to start the process of imposing a "100%" tariff on movies "coming into [the United States] that are produced in Foreign Land...
Manga in The Crosshairs: The State of Manga Bans in 2025
Coop Bicknell interviewed librarians across the country about how the latest Executive Orders and lists targeting LGBTQ+ are affecting students' ability to read age-appropriate comics.
― Back in 2005, I'd often find myself racing my friends to the public library around the corner from our middle school. Once we walked through the building's double doors, our obnoxious chattering would drop and we'd ...
Fuji Media Holdings Head Osamu Kanemitsu, 3 Other Executives to Resign
Company revises forecasted annual net profit to net loss of 20.1 billion yen
― Fuji Media Holdings, the parent company of Fuji TV, announced on Thursday that four of its executives — president and representative director Osamu Kanemitsu, outside directors Yoshinari Shimatani (also board director for Fuji TV), Kiyoto Saito (also board director for Fuji TV), and Yuzaburo Mogi (also Audit & Supervisory ...
Webtoon Creators' Union to File Complaint Against Kakao Entertainment
Union states company refused to engage in collective bargaining
― The Webtoon Creators' Union in South Korea announced on April 21 that it plans to file a complaint with the Labor Relations Commission against Kakao Entertainment for refusing to engage in collective bargaining. Kakao Entertainment is the parent company of Kakao Webtoon, Tapas, and Kakao Page. According to the union, it submitted a re...
South Korea Announces 5-Year Plan to Boost Animation Industry
Government will establish fund with aim to expand it to US$100 million by 2029
― The South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced the "2025–2030 Basic Plan for Animation Industry Promotion" on April 24, presided over by Acting President and Prime Minister Duck-soo Han. The new plan is a long-term strategy aimed at developing animation into a high-value industry. Key initiati...
Alliance Entertainment Terminates Diamond Comics Purchase Agreement
Sale originally slated to conclude on April 25
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Wholesaler and distributor Alliance Entertainment announced on Thursday through a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) notice it had terminated the agreement to purchase "substantially all" of Diamond Comics Distributors' assets. Alliance Entertainment had announced on March 25 that it won the bid to acquire Diamond Comics Distributors' asset...
Nintendo Seeks Subpoena of Discord for Pokémon Leaker Info
Nintendo requests leaker's name, postal address, phone number, email address
― Polygon reported on Monday that Nintendo requested the United States District Court for the Northern District of California to issue a subpoena to compel Discord to share information on the alleged leaker who released almost a terabyte of data from Nintendo subsidiary and Pokémon game developer Game Freak last October. Nin...
CoMix Wave Films President and CEO Tomohiro Tokunaga Shares His Vision
Tokunaga talks about the studio's decades-long history with director Makoto Shinkai, navigating the pandemic, and a brand-new project with a 'rookie director.'
― CoMix Wave Films entered a new era on May 28, 2024 with the appointment of Tomohiro Tokunaga as President and CEO of the company. A former producer at Telecom Animation Film, Tokunaga has been involved in projects such as Lupin III and sever...
Pierrot, Asahi Production Enter Capital, Business Partnership
Companies had announced business partnership last year
― Asahi Production and Pierrot announced on Friday that they have formally entered into a capital and business partnership. As part of the new capital partnership, Pierrot will purchase and acquire new shares in Asahi Production. The two companies had announced last October that they had signed a business partnership agreement to strengthen the s...
Square Enix Store Pauses Some Pre-Orders, Hong Kong Suspends Mail to U.S. Due to Tariffs
The pre-orders page of Square Enix's online store now contains a notice that the store has temporarily paused some new merchandise pre-orders due to "ongoing international tariff uncertainties" as of April 9. Hong Kong Post Also Suspends Surface and Air Postal Services to the U.S. The Hong Kong Post also suspended and has stopped accepting surface postal items containing goods bound to the U.S., e...
LINE Manga App Becomes Top-Grossing App in Japan in 1st Quarter 2025
App is celebrating 12th anniversary
― According to mobile analytics firm Sensor Tower, LINE Manga — Naver Webtoon's Japanese-language service — ranked No. 1 in total app market revenue in Japan in the first quarter of 2025. This milestone comes as the platform celebrates its 12th anniversary, having launched in 2013. LINE Manga first overtook Kakao Piccoma's digital manga and novel platform Piccoma ...
Kakao Ent. Co-CEOs Deny Reports of Company's Sale, Claim Reports are 'Misunderstanding'
Statement follows media reports last week that Kakao plans to sell Kakao Entertainment subsidiary
― Korean business media outlet Hankook Economy reported on April 8 that Kakao, one of the biggest tech companies in Korea, has signaled its intention to sell its subsidiary Kakao Entertainment, stepping away from its long-held plan to take the company public. According to investment banking sources, Kak...
Nintendo-Based Super Robot Wars Games' Developer A,I Files for Bankruptcy
A,I developed Super Robot Wars games for GBA, DS, 3DS
― A,I, a game developer best known for developing Nintendo-based installments of the Super Robot Wars game series starting in the 1990s, began bankruptcy proceedings in the Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court on March 10. (The company's name was pronounced in Japanese as "Ei-Ai" and written in Roman characters as "A,I.") A,I developed the...
Game Developer gz Establishes Sirius Studio With Bloodborne Producer Teruyuki Toriyama
Studio to develop PC, console, VR, XR games
― Osaka-based game developer gz announced on Thursday it has established the wholly owned associated game studio named Studio Sirius, based in Tokyo. The studio was officially established on March 3, and will plan and develop digital games for consoles and PC as well as VR games and XR content. Demon's Souls remake and Bloodborne game producer Teruyuki Tori...
Nintendo Delays Switch 2 Pre-Orders in Canada to Align with U.S. Date
Switch 2 launch detailed hours before U.S. President Trump announced new import taxes
― Nintendo confirmed on Tuesday that pre-orders for its Switch 2 system in Canada has been delayed to align with its postponement of U.S. pre-orders. The June 5 launch date remains unchanged. The company announced on Friday that pre-orders for the system would be delayed in the United States from the initial April ...
Sazae-san Anime Regains Corporate Sponsors to End 11-Week Drought
Other anime series on Fuji TV still suffering from fewer to no corporate sponsorships
― Anime News Network's Japan-based staff confirmed the April 6 episode of Sazae-san aired with two corporate sponsors, Geo and OIC Group. This is the first time that the long-running anime had corporate sponsors in nine weeks. (Some sponsors already began removing their ads a couple of weeks earlier in late January...
Things From Another World Comics Retail Site to Shut Down on April 30
3 physical stores in Oregon, California to remain open
― Comics retailer Things From Another World announced on April 2 that its retail website will close on April 30. The company stated that its three physical stores (two in Oregon at Milwaukie and Beaverton, and one in California at Universal CityWalk) will remain open. Hey, TFAW customers! We're sad to announce that https://t.co/n9sE8fra8R will be...
Manta's Parent Company Ridi Posts Operating Loss for 2024 But Marks Record-High Revenue
Company attributes reduced deficit, revenue growth to expansion of its global business
― RIDI, the parent company of webtoon platform Manta, announced on April 3 that it posted an operating loss of 12.9 billion KRW (approx. US$8.8 million) on a consolidated basis in 2024, down 56.2% from the previous year. Revenue rose 7.2% year-over-year to a record high of 235.4 billion KRW (approx. US$161 million...
Webtoon Entertainment Appoints Aron Levitz as President of Wattpad
Levitz will report directly to Junkoo Kim, CEO and founder of WEBTOON Entertainment
― On April 2, WEBTOON Entertainment announced it has appointed Aron Levitz as president of Wattpad Corporation, its global web novel subsidiary. Levitz will step down from his concurrent position as president of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios Corp. and will now focus solely on Wattpad. He will report directly to Junkoo Kim,...
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