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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 ...
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
―
Bong Joon-Ho, the Oscar-winning director and co-writer of the film Parasite, revealed during the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024 ceremony on Saturday that he is planning an animation project in Japan. Before presenting the Best Director Award to Shota Goshozono (Jujutsu Kaisen season 2), the South Korean filmmaker reported that he had spent...
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),...
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...
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 ...
Square Enix Absorbs Tokyo RPG Factory
― Square Enix reported in the National Printing Bureau's Kanpō publication on Wednesday that the company will absorb the the video game developer Tokyo RPG Factory, dissolving the subsidiary in a merger. Square Enix will assume all rights and obligations. The developer was behind video game titles such as 2016's I Am Setsuna, 2017's Lost Sphear and the 2019 game ONINAKI (Japanese title: Oni no Naku...
Kadokawa Launches Joint Venture Business With French Publisher Dupuis
Joint venture to publish Japanese manga, Korean comics, light novels, other content for global French-language markets
― Kadokawa announced on January 25 that is partnering with European publishing-based entertainment group Média-Participations Paris and its subsidiary Éditions Dupuis to launch a joint venture business named Vega SAS with Dupuis' existing Vega-Dupuis imprint. Kadokawa will acquire 51...
Sega of America Lays Off 61 Employees in QA, Localization Departments
Layoffs go into effect on March 8
― The Twitter account of the Allied Employees Guild Improving SEGA (AEGIS) revealed on Wednesday that Sega of America is outsourcing its quality assurance department and part of its localization departments, terminating several jobs as a result. The company will lay off 61 employees on March 8. The series of posts stated that the workers' union was "able to more than...
MyAnimeList Partners with 33 Inc. to Form MAL33 Industry Marketing Service
― Entertainment marketing agency 33 Inc. and anime database website MyAnimeList announced a new partnership on Thursday to form MAL33, a marketing service targeted toward the anime and manga industry. The company will offer services for PR, brand development, social media marketing, advertising, and creative. MyAnimeList launched in 2005, and DeNA purchased the site in 2015. Media Do Holdings later ...
Former BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Developer Craft Egg to Be Dissolved
Parent company CyberAgent to absorb Craft Egg on April 1
― Former BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! smartphone game developer Craft Egg announced on Wednesday that it will be dissolved, and its parent company CyberAgent will absorb Craft Egg for optimal personnel allocation on April 1. The iDELiTE FiGURE brand will inherit the Colorful Palette company, and both will continue to exist. The official Twitte...
Twin Engine Establishes Nagomi Studio With Producer Fumio Kaneko
Animators Satoru Fujimoto, Tōru Imanishi are board members on new studio
― Anime planning and production company Twin Engine (production for Vinland Saga, Dororo, Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku) announced on Monday that it has established a new studio named Nagomi, with longtime anime industry producer Fumio Kaneko (Senki Zesshō Symphogear, Super Cub, Uma Musume Pretty Derby Season 2) heading the compan...
Omdia Analyst: Nintendo Switch Successor to Launch This Year With 8-Inch LCD Screen
BNN Bloomberg reported on Thursday that according to analyst Hiroshi Hayase from the technology research and advisory group Omdia, Nintendo will launch a new game console this year with an 8-inch LCD screen. Hayase said that the new device would be responsible for a doubling in shipments of "amusement displays" this year. A Nintendo spokesperson told BNN Bloomberg it had nothing to comment on. Acc...
Rob Pereyda Launches Henshin Anime Consulting Practice
Former Crunchyroll, Viz Media, and Netflix executive Rob Pereyda announced on Friday that he is launching his company Henshin as the first dedicated management consulting practice for the anime industry. Henshin (Japanese for "transformation") aims to strategically help organizations with anime industry insights, business growth, and content innovation with a focus on the intersection of anime, ga...
Items Survive Fire at Go Nagai Museum
Wajima City is moving/storing museum's paintings, figurines following New Year's Day quake
― Go Nagai's studio Dynamic Production released a statement on Thursday regarding the fire at the Go Nagai Wonderland Museum after the New Year's Day earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture. The studio confirmed that the original paintings and figurines have survived the fire. They are currently being moved and stor...
Studio Ghibli Signs Cooperation Deal with Chinese Company Alibaba for Animation Production, Immersive Exhibitions
Immersive exhibition of Hayao Miyazaki's works planned for Shanghai later this year
― Studio Ghibli signed a cooperation deal with Chinese entertainment company Alibaba Pictures for various projects, including animation production, immersive exhibitions, and business plans for Hayao Miyazaki's latest feature film The Boy and the Heron (Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka). Alibaba Pictures president Li Jie tra...
YouTube Eliminates 100 Jobs
Google-owned company announces layoffs following Google's 1,000 employee job cuts
― The TechCrunch website reported on Thursday that YouTube will eliminate 100 positions. The company's chief business officer Mary Ellen Coe stated in the internal memo making the announcement that the 100 employees being laid off will have the opportunity to apply for other positions at the company. The workers will ha...
GDC Survey Shows 35% of Developers Were Impacted by Layoffs in the Last Year
32% of developers say platform that most interests them right now is Switch successor
― The Game Developers Conference (GDC) released the results of its 12th annual "State of the Game Industry Survey" on Thursday, which revealed that 35% of game developers surveyed were impacted by layoffs in the last 12 months (meaning either they were laid off, their colleagues were, or other teams or departments w...
Court Blocks Texas' Sexual Explicitness Book Rating Law
READER act would have required booksellers to categorize "sexually explicit" books sold to schools
― The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit blocked the state of Texas from enforcing Texas law HB900 (House Bill 900, also known as READER), an act that requires any vendor who wishes to sell books to Texas schools to provide sexual explicitness level ratings, on Wednesday. The court stated that ...
Amazon Prime Video, Twitch, Unity Each Lay Off Hundreds of Employees
Prime Video lays off "several hundred" employees, Twitch lays off 500, Unity Software lays off 1,800
― Several companies including Amazon Prime, Amazon-owned Twitch, and Unity have announced layoffs in the last week. Amazon Prime Layoffs IndieWire reported on Wednesday that Amazon's Prime Video and MGM division are laying off "several hundred" employees. Employees affected in North and South America ...
The Pokémon Company, Cover Corp., Capcom, More Donate to Relief Efforts After January 1 Quake (Updated)
Pokémon With You Foundation supports children following Noto Peninsula earthquake
― The Pokémon Company announced on January 5 that it is donating 50 million yen (about US$346,000) to the Japanese Red Cross Society and other support organizations to help people and restore areas affected by the January 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake. In addition, the Pokémon With You Foundation will continue to support ...
SAG-AFTRA Signs Agreement with Voiceover Studio on AI Voices in Video Games
Terms include informed consent for 'digital voice replicas'; voice actors express concern over approval
― The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) labor union announced on Tuesday that it has signed an agreement with Replica Studios — an AI voiceover studio — that sets terms for the use of artificial intelligence for voices in video games. The agreemen...
Go Nagai, His Studio Issue Statements on Museum Fire After January 1 Quake
Dynamic Production confirms fire, but no information yet about damages
― Go Nagai's studio Dynamic Production released on Wednesday its second statement, as well as a statement by Nagai himself, about the fire at the Go Nagai Wonderland Museum after the New Year's Day earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture. #永井豪 と #ダイナミックプロ よりみなさまへ pic.twitter.com/geMeXznVNK— ダイナミックプロ【公式】 (@Dynamicpro_info) January 10, 20...
Kadokawa, Indonesian Publisher Gramedia Establish Joint Venture for Manga, Light Novel Publishing
Kadokawa maintains majority 51% share of new PT Phoenix Gramedia Indonesia company
― Kadokawa and Indonesian media company Gramedia announced on January 5 that they will establish a joint venture company named PT Phoenix Gramedia Indonesia to jointly develop a manga and light novel publishing business, as well as sales of merchandise and operation of digital publishing platforms. Kadokawa maintains t...
Kadokawa Acquires Thai Manga, Light Novel Publisher First Page Pro
Kadokawa's Thai subsidiary Kadokawa Amarin now largest publisher of manga, light novels in Thailand
― Kadokawa announced on December 22 that its Thai subsidiary Kadokawa Amarin has acquired a majority stake in Thai manga and light novel localization and publishing company First Page Pro, turning the company into a subsidiary of Kadokawa Amarin. The move makes Kadokawa Amarin the largest publisher of ...
Bandai Namco Filmworks to Absorb Sunrise Beyond Subsidiary in April
Sunrise Beyond established in 2019 to take over Xebec's operations
― The official websites of the animation studios Bandai Namco Filmworks and Sunrise Beyond simultaneously announced on Tuesday that Bandai Namco Filmworks will merge with Sunrise Beyond, its wholly owned subsidiary, on April 1. Sunrise Beyond will be dissolved, and Bandai Namco Filmworks will take over its subsidiary's rights and obli...
Chainsaw Man Director Ryū Nakayama Establishes Anime Production Unit
New unit's 1st project is VSPO!, Cardfight!! Vanguard collaboration video
― Anime director Ryū Nakayama announced on Saturday that he is establishing Andraft, a new creative unit for animation production. The company is now recruiting in-between and key animators, animation directors, technical directors, background artists, art directors, visual development artists, production assistants, and produc...
TV Tokyo Wins U.S. Lawsuits Against Sellers of Counterfeit Naruto Merchandise
Company filed "Schedule A" trademark infringement lawsuits in Illinois against online merchants that sell to U.S. customers
― The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois announced its judgement in favor of TV Tokyo Corporation in its trademark infringement lawsuit on December 18. The company had filed a “Schedule A” trademark infringement lawsuit against multiple online mer...
Netmarble Appoints Byung Gyu Kim as New Co-CEO
― South Korean game developer and publisher Netmarble announced on Wednesday that it has appointed Byung Gyu Kim as co-CEO alongside Young-sig Kwon. Kim will be formally appointed at the company's shareholders' meeting in March and was previously the company's vice president. Gi-wook Do, the company's former co-CEO, will now serve as CFO (chief financial oficer). The company's Seven Knights game ins...
Amazon Prime Video Launches Ads in U.S. on January 29
Service begins running ads in U.K, Germany, Canada on February 5
― Deadline reported on Tuesday that Amazon's Prime Video streaming service will start running advertisements for subscribers in the United States excluding Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Mariana Islands on January 29. It will begin running ads in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada on February 5. It will launch ads in Franc...
World Maker, Toho Announce Winner for Short Film Contest
Kitarō's "Kao no Nai Machi" storyboard won contest judged by Jordan Vogt-Roberts
― World Maker, the storyboarding app service for Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ imprint, announced on Wednesday that Kitarō's "Kao no Nai Machi" (Faceless Town) storyboard won the grand prize for it and Toho's short film contest. The story centers on a "natural woman" named Yui Fujisaki who is told by her boyfriend that she sho...
AJA: Anime Industry Grew by 6.8% in 2022
Japanese, overseas markets both grew; industry records all-time high market value
― The Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) released a preview of its Anime Industry Report 2023 findings (for the year 2022) on December 14. The report found that the wider anime industry (including merchandise, music, etc.) grew by 6.8% in 2022 compared to 2021, with a total market value of 2.9277 trillion yen (abo...
Hasbro Announces Additional Layoffs
Company to reduce workforce by additional 1,100 positions
― Deadline reported on December 11 that Hasbro is cutting about 1,100 staff positions in addition to the previously announced layoffs earlier this year, which amounted to 800 layoffs. This brings the total company-wide layoffs to 20% of its workforce. In an email addressed to staff, CEO Chris Cocks cited "stronger headwinds" in the market tha...
Film Studios Reveal Plans to Lobby for Anti-Piracy Site Blocking
― Deadline reports that a top executive with the Motion Picture Association (MPA) urged lawmakers to pass legislation for site-blocking piracy sites in a hearing Wednesday. The hearing took place before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. The MPA is suggesting legislation that would require internet providers and third-party intermediaries to blo...
Johnny & Associates Agency Changes Name to Starto Entertainment
Atsushi Fukuda named new president
― The talent agency previously known as Johnny's and Associates announced on Friday that it is changing its name to STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. The company's new president is Atsushi Fukuda, who was previously the vice-president of Sony Pictures Entertainment and also previously the president and CEO of Sony Digital Entertainment. The company commented on the name: The na...
Game Developers Arc System Works, Aquria Enter Into Capital Alliance
New tie-up aimed at bolstering ArcSys' development capabilities by leveraging Aquria's experience
― Game developer and publisher Arc System Works and game developer Aquria announced on Monday that they have formed a capital alliance. The tie-up is intended to bolster Arc System Works' development capabilities by leveraging Aquria's experience. Arc System Works is best known for its Guilty Gear and Bl...
American Animation Studio Skybound Entertainment Launches Skybound Japan
Ash Nukui heads Japanese office of company behind Invincible animated series, The Walking Dead live-action television series
―
Cartoon Brew reported on Friday that the studio behind the Invincible animated series and The Walking Dead live-action television series Skybound Entertainment is establishing Skybound Japan. Ash Nukui (The Sniffer and Memoir of a Teenage Amnesiac) will head the company, Ric...
Toho Archive Accepts Unclaimed Film Masters After Tokyo Laboratory Shuts Down
Masters no longer subject to disposal
― Tokyo Laboratory (Tokyo Genzōsho, or Togen) announced on Thursday that the Toho Archive will now take over the management of all of Tokyo Laboratory's remaining unclaimed film masters, instead of the masters being destroyed. Tokyo Laboratory shut down on Thursday after 68 years of operation. The company's original announcement of its shutdown said that any uncl...
Shogakukan Acquires Tokyo Otaku Mode as Wholly Owned Subsidiary
Shogakukan's Nobuhiro Ōga to serve as chair of Tokyo Otaku Mode's Board of Directors
― Shogakukan announced on Tuesday that the company has acquired all outstanding shares of Tokyo Otaku Mode and made the company a wholly owned subsidiary. Nobuhiro Ōga, Representative Director and President of Shogakukan, will serve as chairperson of the Board of Directors of Tokyo Otaku Mode. Another Shogakukan exe...
GENDA Acquires Majority Stake in Film Producer, Distributor GAGA Corporation
GENDA to hold 78.05% controlling stake, with T.Y. Limited CEO Tom Yoda retaining 21.95% stake
― Japanese entertainment company GENDA (Global Entertainment Network for Dreams and Aspirations) announced on Monday that it has decided to acquire a 78.05% controlling stake of Japanese film distributor and producer GAGA Corporation. GENDA is acquiring the stake from GAGA Corporation's parent company T.Y. L...
Yen Press Opens Job Listing for Freelance Light Novel Translators
Yen Press revealed on Tuesday it is looking to hire freelance Japanese-to-English translators for light novels. Those interested can submit an application with a resume attached to [email protected]. The position is 100% remote. Information regarding start date, length of position, and pay will be provided once a candidate makes initial contact. Yen Press was founded in 2006 and aside from ma...
HIDIVE to End Service in Certain Areas Outside N. America on December 14 (Updated)
HIDIVE did not specify which areas
― HIDIVE modified a listing on its support page on Monday to state that the service will no longer be available in certain areas outside of North America, starting on December 14. Full access to HIDIVE's library will be available on the service's website through December 31. The company did not give a specific reason beyond that it this decision has been made after ...
Comixology App to Merge with Amazon Kindle
Comixology app will be discontinued on December 4
― Comixology revealed on Tuesday that its Comixology app is merging with Amazon's Kindle app. The original Comixology app will be discontinued from December 4. Customers can still read graphic novels and manga on the Kindle app and via Amazon's website. The Comixology Unlimited service will continue. Jeff DiBartolomeo, General Manager of Comixology c...
Sony Earns 200.1 Billion Yen as of 2nd Quarter of 2023 Financial Year
Company's game, music, pictures segments all earned more year-on-year
― Sony released its financial results for the second quarter of its financial year 2023 last Thursday. The results revealed that the company earned a net income of 200.1 billion yen (about US$1.31 billion) as of the second quarter 2023, a 29% loss year-on-year compared to the same quarter last year, when the company earned 281.7 bi...
Disney to Acquire Comcast's Remaining Stake in Hulu for US$8.6 Billion
Acquisition would make Disney sole owner of streaming service
― CNN Business reported on Thursday that Disney will acquire Comcast's 33% stake in the streaming service Hulu for US$8.61 billion this year. After this, Disney will own the entirety of the streaming service. Comcast stated, “We look forward to the appraisal process and the determination of Hulu's fair market value which we expect will ref...
Kadokawa Aims to Establish More Wholly-Owned Anime Studios
Also aims to bolster existing studios, acquire others to produce 20 titles a year in-house
― Kadokawa reported on Thursday in its earnings results for the quarter ending on September 30 that it aims to establish more wholly owned anime studios under its corporate group umbrella. Kadokawa is already a major owner of the anime studios ENGI (GAMERA -Rebirth-, Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!) and Kinema Ci...
Investment Firm KKR Acquires Simon & Schuster for US$1.62 Billion
Acquisition makes Simon & Schuster standalone private company
― Deadline reported on Monday that investment firm KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.) acquired publishing business Simon & Schuster from Paramount for US$1.62 billion. Chief executive officer Jonathan Karp will remain in his position after the deal. Karp called the acquisition "a return to our roots as a standalone company and an opportun...
Capcom Develops New REX Game Engine
Company will gradually upgrade current RE ENGINE to next-generation level
― Capcom announced in a 22-minute streamed presentation intended for developers on Thursday that it is developing a next-generation game engine titled "REX ENGINE." In the above video, the company first explains its current RE ENGINE, which started development in 2014. The company has released games such as Resident Evil 7, Res...
Muse Asia Opens Job Listing for English Sub Translator
Muse Asia announced on Wednesday that it has contractual job openings for an English sub translator for its simulcast anime. The job will be work from home, and pay will be by piecework. Applicants may send applications with attached resumes to [email protected]. The position will task employees with translation Japanese animation materials and producing English subtitles. Applicants will be ...
Crunchyroll Service Launches on Prime Video Channels
Service launches on Prime Video on Tuesday in U.S., this week in Canada, Sweden, U.K.
― Crunchyroll announced on Tuesday that has collaborated with Amazon to distribute the Crunchyroll subscription service on Prime Video. Crunchyroll is now available via Prime Video Channels in the U.S. It will then launch on Prime Video in Canada, Sweden, and the U.K. this week before arriving in additional territor...
Netflix Raises Price on Some Plans in U.S., U.K., France
Premium plan now US$22.99, Basic ad-free plan now US$11.99 in U.S.
― Netflix announced on Tuesday that it is increasing the price of its Premium subscription plan in the United States, United Kingdom, and France, with the plan increasing from US$19.99 to US$22.99 in the United States. Netflix is also increasing the price of its ad-free Basic subscription plan in the United States from US$9.99 to US$1...
Best Buy Announces End of Blu-ray Disc, DVD Sales
― Electronics retailer Best Buy revealed on Friday it is ending sales of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs both in-store and online in early 2024, citing changing media consumption models. Sales will be discontinued in the new year. The outlet will continue sales of video games. DVD and Blu-ray Disc sales have been gradually shrinking over the years. According to data from the trade association DEG: The Digit...
J-Novel Club Expands into Europe With JNC Nina Subsidiary for Light Novel Releases in French, German
Subscription service launches with 6 novel series
― J-Novel Club announced on Sunday that it is launching a new subsidiary titled "J-Novel Club Nina" or "JNC Nina" to expand into the European market. Starting today, fans in Europe can subscribe to JNC Nina for weekly installments of light novels translated into French and German. The service costs 5,49€ per month or 60€ per year, and gives subscriber...
U.S. Bill Seeks to Forbid AI-Replicated Voices, Appearances Without Consent
NO FAKES Act prohibits creation, sharing of individuals' voice, likeness in performance without consent
― United States senators Chris Coons, Marsha Blackburn, Amy Klobuchar, and Thom Tillis introduced the draft of a new proposed bill on Thursday named the "Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act," which aims to prohibit the use of individuals' digitally replicated v...
Viz Media Launches One-Shot Manga Platform for U.S.
Former Weekly Shonen Jump editor-in-chief Hisashi Sasaki to guide selected creators
― Viz Media announced that it is launching a new one-shot submissions portal in the U.S. as part of its Viz Originals line on Wednesday. The new platform will produce short original one-shot stories created by writers in the U.S. Former editor-in-chief of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine Hisashi Sasaki will work...
Crunchyroll Launches New 24/7 Linear Channel
Channel launches on Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, Roku Channel, VIZIO WatchFree+ on Wednesday
― Crunchyroll announced that it is collaborating with Sony Pictures Entertainment's GSN (Game Show Network) to launch a new 24/7 linear channel on Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, the Roku Channel, and VIZIO WatchFree+ first on Wednesday. Series available at launch include Horimiya, Ranking of Kings, Moriarty the...
Crunchyroll Settles in Class Action Suit Regarding User Information Privacy
Crunchyroll users in U.S. are entitled to payment
― Sony Pictures Entertainment and Crunchyroll reached a settlement on September 15 in a class action lawsuit between them and Salvador Beltran, Jr., Eli Gross, and others, making Crunchyroll users in the United States eligible for payment of approximately US$30 (the exact amount is not yet known). Users in the U.S. who have registered, streamed, or ot...
Manga Plus Launches New Subscription Service
Manga Plus Max features Standard/Deluxe Plans with different prices, included manga
― Shueisha's Manga Plus website and app announced on Wednesday that it has launched a new subscription service called "Manga Plus Max" with two plans. Shueisha streamed a trailer: The Standard Plan includes 80 currently serialized works totaling over 6,000 chapters. It costs US$1.99 per month in the U.S., Canada, Fran...
CyberAgent Also Establishes Animation AI Lab
"Animation AI Lab" to explore using AI for generating backgrounds, characters, sound, music
― CyberAgent announced on Wednesday that it has established a new business unit named "Animation AI Lab," which will focus on researching and developing processes for animation production using generative artificial intelligence and large language models. CyberAgent's previously established "AI Lab" research a...
Asahi Broadcasting Moves SILVER LINK. Animation Studio Under ABC Animation Subsidiary
Asahi Broadcasting also moves merchandise company Zero G Act under ABC Animation
― Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings announced on Monday that it is reorganizing its anime-related subsidiary companies, and has put animation studio SILVER LINK. and the anime merchandise company Zero G Act under its animation planning company ABC Animation as wholly owned subsidiaries of ABC Animation. Asahi Broadcast s...
Pilotable Patlabor Robot Mecha Teased for Next Summer
Robot suit to be unveiled to public next summer
― Robotics company MOVeLOT announced a new project on Saturday, where it will bring to life a pilotable Ingram labor robot mecha from Mobile Police Patlabor. The project celebrates the new Patlabor EZY anime, and will reveal the robot to the public in the summer of 2024. The company will share updates on Twitter and Instagram with photo and videos high...
CyberAgent Establishes New Unit for AI Game Development
"Game AI Lab" to explore generative AI in creating graphics, characters, level design, music, more
― CyberAgent announced on Wednesday that it has established a new business unit named "Game AI Lab," which will focus on researching and developing methods for game development using generative artificial intelligence and large language models, CyberAgent's previously established "AI Lab" research and d...
Johnny & Associates Changes Name to Smile Up, Establishes New Entity to Oversee Talent
Smile Up will handle compensation measures to sexual abuse victims of late founder Johnny Kitagawa
― The below article contains references to sexual abuse and child abuse. Talent agency Johnny & Associates president Noriyuki Higashiyama announced on Monday at a press conference in Tokyo that the agency will change its name to Smile Up starting on October 17, as part of the company's "vision" to earn ...
Judge Declares Texas' Sexual Explicitness Book Rating Law Unconstitutional
READER act would have required booksellers to categorize "sexually explicit" books sold to schools
― Federal Judge Alan D. Albright of Texas declared Texas law HB900 (House Bill 900, also known as READER), an act that would require any vendor who wishes to sell books to Texas schools to provide sexual explicitness level ratings, unconstitutional in a written opinion filed on September 18. Judge Albri...
Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan to Retire in March 2024
Sony Group Corporation president, COO, CFO Hiroki Totoki assumes SIE chairman position in October
― Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced on Wednesday that president and CEO Jim Ryan will retire in March 2024, after almost 30 years of service in the company. Sony Group Corporation president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer Hiroki Totoki will assume the role of chairman o...
SAG-AFTRA Members Vote to Authorize Strike Against Video Game Companies
Potential strike against 10 companies including Activision, EA, Epic Games, Insomniac
― The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) labor union's members have voted 98.32% in favor of a strike authorization against 10 video game companies. The vote alone does not initiate a strike, but permits the union's national board to declare a strike if ongoing nego...
Amazon Prime Video to Run Ads for U.S., Other Subscribers in 2024
Company offers ad-free subscription tier for additional US$2.99 per month on top of base subscription fee
― Deadline reported on Saturday that Amazon's Prime Video streaming service will begin running advertisements for subscribers in the United States in early 2024. The company will offer an ad-free subscription tier for an additional US$2.99 per month on top of the base subscription fee. While Pri...
Right Stuf Phases Out, Migrates All Products to Crunchyroll Store on October 10 (Updated)
Customers can still find all products previously available on Right Stuf
― Crunchyroll revealed on Friday that Right Stuf is phasing out its store and migrating its products to the Crunchyroll Store on October 10. Customers can still find all the products that were previously listed on Right Stuf. The Crunchyroll Store will have a 2023 holiday sale similar to the one Right Stuf regularly holds. Howev...
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