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ANN is Hiring!
We're looking for a an ad sales representative. Entry level position, no experience necessary.
― Read the FAQ and related forum threads before e-mailing us.Do not CC multiple ANN e-mail addresses with your application. If you do, your application will not be considered. Send your application only to the e-mail address listed for the position. Ad Sales Anime News Network is looking for someone to assi...
Aniplex Acquires Filmmaker Company Origamix Partners, Renames to Myriagon Studio
Alice in Borderland, Kingdom director Shinsuke Satō's studio to produce live-action content
― Sony Music Entertainment announced on Wednesday that its subsidiary company Aniplex has wholly acquired film director and scriptwriter management company Origamix Partners as a new subsidiary company, and will change the company's name to Myriagon Studio on Thursday, June 1. The company will now produce live...
Former Dragon Quest Producer Ryūtarō Ichimura, China's NetEase Games Establish PinCool Company
PinCool to develop large-scale/smaller games for players worldwide
― Former Dragon Quest producer Ryūtarō Ichimura and China's NetEase Games established the new PinCool company on Monday. The entertainment production company aims to deliver original works from Japan to people worldwide, with a focus on game development. The name PinCool comes from the Japanese phrase "Pin to Kuru," which refers to be...
Pokémon's Creatures, Inc. Founder Tsunekazu Ishihara, Hirokazu Tanaka Step Down as Executive Directors
Ishihara, Tanaka resigned from CEO, president roles, respectively on April 1
― Creatures, Inc. (Pokémon) confirmed on Monday that its founder and former CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara and former president Hirokazu Tanaka (also known as "Hip Tanaka", Earthbound composer) are resigning from their roles as the company's executive directors. Ishihara had resigned as CEO on April 1, but he will continue to manage...
Somari and the Guardian of the Forest's Creator Still Struggling Financially, Has Regrets Over Anime Adaptation
Manga ended in 2020 due to Yako Gureishi's worsening health
― Manga creator Yako Gureishi tweeted last Tuesday about their Somari and the Guardian of the Forest manga status and their personal life. The most notable takeaway is that they are currently asking fans for financial support in order to help cover the cost of their rent and utility bills. Gureishi asked for contributions to their pixiv Fanb...
Agency for Cultural Affairs Website Accidentally Lists Manga Pirate Site URLs For 6+ Months
Government website hastily took down list on May 16 after social media exposure
― Last Tuesday, social media exposed a rather embarrassing mistake by the Japanese government's Agency for Cultural Affairs. The Sankei News reported that the agency's website, which has long been dedicated to cracking down on piracy, had accidentally made public the URLs of the top 10 most accessed manga pirate websites ...
NAFCA Association for Improving Awareness of Animator Working Conditions Founded
Former A-1 Pictures, Aniplex executive Masuo Ueda is chariman
― The Nippon Anime & Film Culture Association (NAFCA) - a general incorporated association that seeks to improve understanding of the anime industry's management and production sides, and improve working conditions for animators - announced its founding last Friday, May 19. Former A-1 Pictures and Aniplex executive Masuo Ueda is the chairm...
MAPPA CEO Reflects on Financial Performance of Chainsaw Man
Manabu Otsuka says the anime returned its entire investment, although he wishes for better BD/DVD sales
― One of the most notable aspects of the Chainsaw Man anime was that the production studio MAPPA invested the entirety of the production costs. This is a rarity among anime productions, as most titles are funded by a collection of companies known as the production committee. So how well did Chainsa...
UPDATED: Gundam Franchise Grosses Record High 131 Billion Yen in 2023 Fiscal Year
Gundam: The Witch From Mercury cited for acquiring new fans among young people, women
― Here's the proof you need that Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury was a good idea for revitalizing the Gundam franchise. Bandai Namco Holdings announced its 2023 Fiscal Year (FY) sales results on Wednesday, revealing record-breaking revenue for the Gundam IP. Group-wide sales amounted to 131.3 billion yen ...
Pokémon Company International Hires Phil Rynda as Director of Original Animation
Rynda to produce "animated films, series, short form" content
― Animation industry veteran Phil Rynda announced on his Linkedin account on Tuesday that he has joined The Pokémon Company International as Director of Original Animation, where he will be involved in producing "animated films, series, and short form" content. Rynda was previously director of creative leadership and development for origin...
Kodansha's New 'K Manga' App Reveals Tickets, Points System for Accessing Manga Chapters
Company hosts digital launch party on June 22
― Kodansha Ltd. launched its new manga distribution service "K MANGA" for Android on Wednesday. The app is also slated to launch for iOS on Wednesday, and is slated to launch for browsers "within days." The company confirmed that it launched the app with approximately 400 titles including 60 simulpub titles, with their chapters debuting on K MANGA before ...
Answerman - Why is Yuri Anime So Popular Now?
With recent hits like Lycoris Recoil and G-Witch, what explains the zeitgeist for yuri anime these days? Answerman delves into it.
― Chris asked:
We've got a lot of new Yuri/ Shoujo Ai anime coming out in 2023 and others, like Birdie Wing and G Witch, are getting continuations. I'm wondering why it's happening now. I've read the source novels/manga for about 80% of the new anime, so I know that the ...
Veteran Producer Masao Maruyama Warns of Anime's Creative Decline
"The only reason China hasn't quite caught up with Japan yet is because of a bunch of restrictions imposed on free expression there."
― Veteran anime producer Masao Maruyama had some pessimistic comments about the anime industry in an interview with AFP last week. The 81-year-old warned that Japan's animation will lose out to China because of commercialism stifling creativity. "In Japan, people are n...
Bushiroad Establishes New Company for New IP
Company to form Bushiroad Works on July 3
― Bushiroad announced last week that it is splitting its consolidated subsidiary Bushiroad Creative to establish a new company Bushiroad Works on July 3. Bushiroad Works will be in charge of publishing magazines and books, planning and operating comic websites, and creating new intellectual property (IP). Bushiroad will also transfer Bushiroad Well-Be, its su...
Nelvana, Polygon Pictures Collaborate for Japanese Originated Animated Content for Kids
Companies to draw inspiration from existing content, new perspectives
― Corus Entertainment announced on Wednesday that its Nelvana subsidiary is partnering with Polygon Pictures (Ajin, Knights of Sidonia) to deliver Japanese originated animated content for kids. Rika Sasaki (formerly of d-rights Inc., ADK Emotion, and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions) is assisting Nelvana and Polygon Pictures. The co...
Right Stuf COO Christine Morgan Leaves Right Stuf/Crunchyroll
Vice president, COO has been with company since 2014
― In an email sent to Crunchyroll staff and shared with Anime News Network, anime retailer Right Stuf vice president and chief operating officer Christine Morgan has left Right Stuf and Crunchyroll as of March 31. Her LinkedIn profile lists her as working in Right Stuf from July 2014 to April 2023. ANN reached out to Crunchyroll for comment, but Cr...
Is the order a rabbit? Director Hiroyuki Hashimoto Starts Anime Studio
Hashimoto founds anime studio Stepple
― Anime director and animator Hiroyuki Hashimoto announced on his Twitter account on Monday that he has founded a new animation studio named Stepple. He noted that the studio only has three staff members right now, including him, and that it is not yet ready to welcome new employees, but it will grow in the future. Hashimoto is currently taking private messages f...
Viz Media to Hire Marketing Manager
Viz Media has announced that it is looking to hire a Marketing Manager. The full-time position will pay US$75,000-US$95,000 per year. Skills required include 5+ years of marketing experience, computer skills including MS Office and Google Business Suite, project management skills, analytical skills, collaboration skills, and the ability to copywrite creatively, among other skills. A Bachelor's deg...
Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History
Concerned about the "mythologization" growing up around Ghibli British academic Rayna Denison offers several alternative perspectives on the acclaimed anime studio and spotlights its less-touted but still wildly talented staff.
― It has been a decade since Studio Ghibli last released a hit film, Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises in 2013. Since then, anime films by other creators have challenged Ghibli'...
CODA: Anime, Manga Piracy Cost Industry Around 2 Trillion Yen in 2021
Figure marks five-fold increase from association's previous 2019 study
― Japan's Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) released a study last Friday citing losses of between 1.9 and 2.2 trillion yen (US$14.2 to 16.5 billion) in 2021 due to piracy of Japanese entertainment, including manga, anime, music, and video games. The figure marks a five-fold increase from the association's previous 2...
Sega of America's Employees File to Form New AEGIS Union in Irvine, California
1st video game union in U.S. featuring workers from several departments
― Workers at Sega of America's Irvine, California office have filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Monday. The new union is named the Allied Employees Guild Improving SEGA (AEGIS), and it includes 144 employees, a majority of the office's staff, across different departments: quality assuran...
Netflix Rolls Out Password-Sharing Limit to U.S., More Markets in 2nd Quarter
Also: Service adds 1.75 million subscribers in Q1 2023, shuts down DVD rentals in September
― Netflix is bringing its new password-sharing policy to multiple other markets, including the United States, by the second quarter of this year. Netflix launched the new policy in test markets Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru on February 5. The company then extended its new password-sharing policy to Canada, New Z...
Sega to Acquire Angry Birds Developer Rovio Entertainment Oyj
Rovio Entertainment Oyj valued at US$776 million
― Sega announced on Monday that it will acquire the Finland-based Rovio Entertainment Oyj mobile game company through its wholly-owned subsidiary Sega Europe Limited and Sega Sammy Holdings, with Rovio valued at EUR706 million (about US$776 million). The acquisition is a friendly takeover, and Rovio's board of directors has agreed to and expressed supp...
Subcontracting Studio Takuranke Files for Bankruptcy, But Newer Takuranke Company Continues (Updated)
Studio known for animation assistance for Pokémon series, Studio Ghibli was founded in 1987
― Update: Takuranke founder Hiroyuki Yamada reported on April 5 that while Studio Takuranke, the original limited company he co-established in 1987, went bankrupt, Takuranke still continues to operate as a newer corporation he established in 2014. ANN's original article is below. Thanks, Sarcataclysmal. The fi...
qooop Establishes New Anime Editing Studio
New Suginami Studio Station Slide created "to respond to increasing demand for animation editing"
― The qooop, Inc. post-production firm announced on April 3 that it has established a new anime editing studio called Suginami Studio Station Slide. qooop, Inc. established the company "in order to respond to the increasing demand for animation editing." Memory-Tech merged its post-production firms Q-Tec...
Nintendo Opens 3rd Official Japanese Store in Kyoto on October 17
Kyoto also houses Nintendo's HQ
― Nintendo announced on Friday that it is opening an official store in Kyoto, the same city as Nintendo's headquarters, on October 17. The store will be located at Kyoto Takashimaya SC. More details will be announced at a later date. This will be the third official Nintendo store in Japan. The first official Nintendo store in Japan opened in November 2019 at Shibuya Pa...
Happinet Bids for Friendly Takeover of Broccoli as Subsidiary
Happinet is already Broccoli's largest shareholder
― The toy and entertainment production company Happinet announced on Friday that it is making a bid to acquire more shares of the game and character goods company Broccoli. Broccoli's board of directors also announced the takeover bid on Friday, and recommended that shareholders accept the offer to turn Broccoli into Happinet's wholly owned subsidiar...
Anime Boston 2023: What It's Like to Work in Anime (UPDATED)
One panelist had to clean up a shot of the Ghost Devil's hands in Chainsaw Man in a week while having bronchitis and fearing she might have COVID. She ended up drawing around 350 hands in total.
― 04/12/2023- After reviewing the panel footage, ANN has corrected the amount of time Lu spent animating the Ghost Devil. The cut took a week; not two days. ANN regrets this error. The rest of the article is...
Why International Anime Co-Productions Are So Rare
International interest in anime has never been higher, but the production committee system and small government funding windows are a roadblock.
― With anime growing ever more popular with a global audience, more and more international companies have become interested in working with Japanese companies on their latest projects. This isn't a new phenomenon; Ghost in the Shell was an international co-p...
Bandai's Plastic Model Factory Installs Solar Panels, Reduces Annual CO2 Emissions by 130 Tons
Bandai Namco Group aims to attain 35% reduction of carbon emissions by 2030, net zero emissions by 2050
― The Mainichi Shimbun's Mantan-Web reported on Wednesday that the Bandai Hobby Center, Bandai Spirits' plastic model production factory in Shizuoka City, has installed 400 solar panels on its rooftops. The panels will produce around 260,000 kilowatts of energy annually, reducing the factory's CO2 ...
WIRED: Good Smile Company Invested US$2.4 Million in 4chan
Nendoroid, Figma toy company acquired 30% share in the controversial website in 2015
― Tech news outlet WIRED reported last Wednesday that Good Smile Company invested US$2.4 million in the controversial website 4chan in 2015, acquiring a 30% share in the website's finances. The Nendoroid and Figma toy company's investment was part of the 2015 sale of 4chan to 2channel founder Hiroyuki Nishimura. WIRE...
VRV Streaming Service Bundle Merges With Crunchyroll
VRV subscriptions, watch histories, queues migrate to Crunchyroll Premium accounts
― The official website for Crunchyroll's VRV streaming service bundle announced on Tuesday that it will merge with Crunchyroll, with current VRV subscriptions, including watch histories and queues, migrating to Crunchyroll Premium accounts. Due to VRV being a Crunchyroll brand, it became part of Sony's Funimation Globa...
TMS Entertainment Raises Base Salary, With New Hires Now Earning 260,000 Yen per Month
Current employees also receive 24% increase in monthly salary
― Anime studio TMS Entertainment announced on Monday that it has instituted a new salary increase for both current employees and new hires, with the former receiving a 30% increase in monthly salary, and the latter receiving a 24% increase in monthly salary. New hires now receive a monthly salary of 260,000 yen (about US$1,900). The studio...
Kadokawa to Shut Down Anime Hotel, Narita Airport Shopping Venue
Anime-themed hotel, store struggle to attract customers
― Kadokawa announced on Thursday that it will close two of its anime-themed tourism businesses, after the ventures struggled to attract customers and failed to secure expected profits. The company will close the "EJ Anime Hotel" on May 31, and the "Narita Anime Deck" located at the Narita International Airport on June 30. Kadokawa stated that th...
DMM Establishes Animation Production Company CUE
Former Production I.G executive Rui Kuroki serves as new company's president, CEO
― Internet service and game developer DMM established a new "CUE" animation production company on Thursday. The name comes both from a cue stick used in billiards and the word "Cue" being used at the start of recording. Production I.G's former executive officer and production manager Rui Kuroki will serve as the new com...
KanColle Developer Wins Defamation Lawsuit
Defendant sold defamatory goods while wearing mask with likeness of game creator at August 2020 event
― The Tokyo District Court awarded 4.40 million yen (about US$33,600) in damages to C2 Präparat Co., Ltd., the creator and developer of the KanColle (Kantai Collection) game, on January 26. The decision was for a lawsuit against an individual who defamed the franchise and C2 head Kensuke Tanaka by se...
Late Voice Actor Kenji Utsumi's Voice Replicated by AI for Sony Audiobook App
YOMIBITO Plus also uses Katsuyuki Konishi, Shūichirō Umeda's AI-replicated voices
― Sony Music Entertainment launched a new audiobook app named YOMIBITO Plus on Wednesday. The app features classic works of Japanese literature read by synthesized voices of three notable voice actors, replicated with AI technology from the company CoeFont. The video below uses narration by an AI-replicated voice from S...
Tokyopop, MENA Media Company MBC Group Launch 'MBC Anime' Initiative
Tokyopop founder/CEO Stu Levy to lead venture to commission, produce, invest in anime
― Tokyopop and MBC Group, a large media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) based in Saudi Arabia, announced on Wednesday that they are partnering to create MBC Anime, a new joint venture that will commission, produce, and invest in a series of anime titles. Tokyopop founder and CEO Stu Levy is leadin...
Chinese Authorities Arrest 4 People Allegedly Associated With 'Largest' Anime Piracy Site Aimed at Japanese People
Piracy site shut down on Monday
― Japan's Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), an organization that aims to reduce worldwide piracy and actively promote the international distribution of Japanese content, revealed on Tuesday that the Public Security Bureau of China's Jiangsu Province have arrested four people in suspicion of being associated with "B9GOOD," one of the "largest" anime pira...
NetEase Games Launches Anici Anime Brand
NetEase established Nici Co. Ltd. in Tokyo in June 2020
― NetEase Games recently launched the Anici (pronounced ah-nee-shee) anime brand as part of Nici Co. Ltd. Anici had its first AnimeJapan exhibit at this year's event last weekend. The brand aims to provide content with respect to content creation and the spirit of challenge under the theme of "that passion, even 10 years later." NetEase Games es...
Local Manga Localization Company No Longer Plans to Settle Late Freelancer Payments
Former company owner previously told ANN that he plans to settle all late payments by March 31
― After months of debt struggles, localization company Local Manga no longer intends to settle late payments to freelancers. The company's former owner Christopher Hepburn announced in a company-wide Discord message on March 11 that he will no "longer be able to satisfy any alleged outstanding debts that re...
The [email protected] Series Producer Yozo Sakagami Steps Down
Sakagami steps down after 18 years in the franchise
― The official website for The [email protected] franchise announced on Wednesday that series producer Yozo Sakagami will step down from his position at the end of March. Sakagami originally planned to step down from his position on the franchise's 15th anniversary in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the franchise's plans were delayed or suspended, ...
Amazon to Lay Off Another 9,000 Employees
Layoffs to affect Amazon Web Services; People, Experience and Technology; advertising; Twitch
― Entertainment news magazine Variety reported on Monday that Amazon will cut another 9,000 staff positions on top of the previously announced layoffs taking place at the company. CEO Andy Jassy stated that the layoffs will affect Amazon Web Services (AWS); People, Experience and Technology (PXT); advertisin...
This Week in Anime - Which Recent Anime Announcements Are Most Hype-Worthy?
What's the most exciting new anime announcement? And what's the guarantee that your favorite series will get a good adaptation—or any adaptation at all?
― What's the most exciting new anime announcement? And what's the guarantee that your favorite series will get a good adaptation—or any adaptation at all? Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the v...
Bushiroad President Takaaki Kidani Steps Down as BanG Dream! Franchise's Executive Producer
Kidani had led project for 9 years
― Bushiroad president and founder Takaaki Kidani announced at the BanG Dream! franchise's "Garupa 6th Anniversary Fan Festa in Akihabara" event on Saturday that he is stepping down as the franchise's executive producer. Kidani had been leading the BanG Dream! project for nine years since its conception. For the past two years, he had already been entrusting the proj...
RetroCrush: Some Anime May Be Unavailable During Service Update
Titles will return at later date
― Digital Media Rights' RetroCrush streaming service confirmed with ANN on Friday that the company is performing a major update on the service, starting with the desktop app, which involves a server migration and systems change. As a result, some titles may be currently unavailable. RetroCrush has stated that the missing titles will return to the app following the fin...
NPD Bookscan Becomes Circana Books
Result of NPD Group, Information Resources, Inc. merger
― Media news website ICv2 reported on Tuesday that NPD BookScan will become Circana Books, following the merge of NPD Group and Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) in 2022. The two companies merged when private equity firm Hellman & Friedman, which acquired NDP Group in 2021, acquired a majority stake in IRI and merged it with NPD. NPD Group acqui...
The Most Beloved Manga Characters of 2022, According to Magademy Industry Award
Blue Giant Explorer, Medalist, Tokyo Revengers, Detective Conan, Gachiakuta, Chiikawa characters acknowledged
― BookLive's Magademy Award for honoring manga characters announced its results on Wednesday. The winners are as follows (note: "actor" here refers to the fictional character): Best lead male actor: Dai Miyamoto from Shinichi Ishizuka's Blue Giant Explorer
Best lead female actor: Inori Yuitsu...
Pokémon Company Opens Job Listing Requiring Blockchain, NFT Knowledge
Square Enix plans blockchain games for fiscal year 2024
― Siliconera reported on Tuesday that The Pokémon Company International opened a job listing for a Corporate Development Principal. One of the requirements is "deep knowledge and understanding of Web 3, including blockchain technologies and NFT, and/or metaverse." Although the job description does not make reference to Web3, the role "drives inn...
Chika Anzai, Takuya Eguchi, Atsumi Tanezaki Win 17th Annual Seiyū Awards
Shūichi Ikeda, Ryotaro Okiayu, Nijigasaki High School Idol Club, Jujutsu Kaisen, more honored
― The organizers of the 17th 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
Chika Anzai Takuya Eguchi Atsumi Tanezaki Best Supporting Actor Award
Award for best supporting performances from an...
Plex Streaming Service Adds 24/7 HIDIVE Anime Channel
Anime licensed by Sentai Filmworks stream for free with ads
― The Plex streaming service added earlier this month a new "Anime x HIDIVE" channel that plays anime licensed by Sentai Filmworks all day for free with advertisements. Streaming anime include Maid Sama!, Princess Principal, Kokoro Connect, Clannad, Land of the Lustrous, Non Non Biyori Repeat, Beyond the Boundary, My Teen Romantic Comedy - S...
This Week in Anime - And the Award for Best Anime Awards Goes To...
Beyond arguing about whether your fave made it in, what's the point of anime awards? Chris and Nicky discuss the pros of the various fan and industry awards ceremonies.
― Beyond arguing about whether your fave made it in, what's the point of anime awards? Chris and Nicky discuss the pros of the various fan and industry awards ceremonies. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participan...
Tokyopop Confirms Founder, CEO Stu Levy Has 'Stepped Back' From U.S. Operations
Levy tells ANN he will "focus on overall group strategy ... instead of day to day operations"
― Tokyopop marketing associate Kae Winters confirmed in an interview with ICv2 on Thursday that founder and CEO Stu Levy is stepping back from the company's operations in the United States. Winters told ICv2: Stu's been a major part of Tokyopop for so long, but with his own family now – and his move to Germa...
Distribution Solutions to Distribute Sentai Filmworks/Section 23's Home Video Releases (Updated)
Alliance Entertainment Corporation subsidiary begins handling distribution on April 3
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Monday that Distribution Solutions (DS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Alliance Entertainment Corporation, will begin handling distribution of Blu-ray Disc and home entertainment products from Sentai Filmworks and Section 23 on April 3. DS will handle sales order processing, distributi...
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Increases Stake in Both Toei, Nintendo
PIF raises stake in Toei to 6.03%, in Nintendo to 8.26%
― Reuters reported on Friday that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), chaired by the kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has raised is stake in Toei Co., Ltd from 5% to 6.03%. Arab News also reported on February 17 that Public Investment Fund similarly raised its stake in Nintendo to 8.26%. PIF originally acquired...
Takashi Kiryu to Become Square Enix's New President, Representative Director
Current president Yosuke Matsuda will retire
― Square Enix announced on Friday that Takashi Kiryu (pictured right) will replace Yosuke Matsuda as the company's president and representative director. Kiryu will serve as the president and representative director of both Square Enix Holdings Co, Ltd. and Square Enix Co., Ltd. The company plans to officially finalize the change in shareholder meetings in...
Animator Supporters Project Posts Toshio Okada's Criticisms of Production Committee System with English Subtitles
Okada claims production committees caps the budget on individual anime titles
― On Monday, the Animator Supporters non-profit organization began streaming an English-subtitled clip from former Gainax president Toshio Okada's YouTube channel. The clip details Okada's criticisms of the anime production committee system. Okada claimed that animators are so poor even though the industry attracts more mon...
Kadokawa to Open Manga, Anime/Voice Actor Acadamies in April 2024
Two new schools, the Kadokawa Manga Academy and the Kadokawa Anime and Voice Acting Academy, are slated to open in Tokyo and Osaka in April 2024. The two schools are led by Vantan, an establishment under the Kadokawa Group that develops educational institutions for the creative industries. For students aged 18 and above, the Kadokawa Manga Academy will offer three-year and four-year specialization...
Manga Planet, futekiya Merge Online Manga Libraries, Update Services
Android, iOS app for new combined service launches in summer 2023
― The official Twitter accounts for the Manga Planet and futekiya manga subscription services announced on Saturday that the companies will combine their libraries into a single service under the Manga Planet brand in spring 2023. The company will launch an Android and iOS application for the new combined service in summer 2023. The co...
Manga Market Reaches Record 677 Billion Yen in Japan in 2022
Manga market's growth slowed to 0.2%, compared to 10.3% growth in 2021
― The All Japan Magazine and Book Publisher's and Editor's Association (AJPEA) revealed on Friday its report on the Japanese manga industry in Japan in 2022. The manga market grew 0.2% year-on-year in 2022, with the market value amounting to 677.0 billion yen (about US$4.96 billion), compared to 675.9 billion yen (about US$5.9 bil...
Voice Actor Advocacy Group Streams Animated Videos Explaining Japan's Controversial Invoice System
Freelancers, sole proprietors will lose their tax-exempt status after system goes into effect in October
― The voice actor advocacy group Voiction has opposed Japan's controversial new invoice system ever since it was announced. According to surveys it conducted from September to October last year, 76% of voice actors self-reported an income of less than 3 million yen (about US$21,638), and 27% respo...
Netflix Lowers Prices for Streaming Plans in 100+ Countries, Territories
Prices reduced in Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa; but not in N. America, Western Europe
― Entertainment news source Variety reported on Friday that Netflix is lowering its streaming plan prices in more than 100 countries and territories, including in Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Netflix confirmed for example that the Basic plan dropped from ₱369 (abo...
Canada's Teletoon Rebrands as Cartoon Network on March 27
Current Cartoon Network channel will rebrand as Boomerang
― Corus Entertainment announced on Tuesday that its Teletoon channel in Canada will rebrand as Cartoon Network on March 27. The current Cartoon Network channel in Canada will simultaneously rebrand as Boomerang. Teletoon launched in Canada in October 1997. The channel has aired many anime in English, including the Bakugan franchise, several Po...
Crunchyroll Lays Off Approximately 85 Employees Globally
Sources: Not cost-saving measure but resolving redundancy between Crunchyroll, Funimation
― Anime streaming service Crunchyroll laid off about 85 employees last week. According to one employee with knowledge about the recent terminations, the layoffs included employees in the United States, Moldova, France, Germany, and Australia and primarily affected the company's marketing and engineering sectors....
Resident Evil Creator Shinji Mikami to Leave Tango Gameworks
Tango Gameworks founder, studio head to leave in the "coming months"
― Bethesda confirmed on Thursday that Tango Gameworks (The Evil Within, Ghostwire: Tokyo) founder and studio head Shinji Mikami (Resident Evil) will leave the studio in the "coming months." Mikami founded Tango Gameworks in March 2010. The company released The Evil Within in 2014, The Evil Within 2 in 2017, and Ghostwire: Tokyo in M...
Bandai Namco Delves Into Vertical-Scrolling Manga
Echoes, Bandai, Bandai Namco Filmworks launch Bandana Comic label this year
― Echoes, Bandai, Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on Tuesday that they have established a new joint business venture for a vertical-scrolling manga label and service named Bandana Comic. The site will launch sometime after summer, and the service will begin sometime at the end of 2023. Bandai will establish a new vertical sc...
Crunchyroll Lays Off About 85 Employees Globally
Sources: Not cost-saving measure but resolving redundancy between Crunchyroll, Funimation
― Anime streaming service Crunchyroll laid off about 85 employees last week. According to one employee with knowledge about the recent terminations, the layoffs included employees in the United States, Moldova, France, Germany, and Australia and primarily affected the company's marketing and engineering sectors....
Studio Chizu Shares Vision of the Future at JX '23
Studio producer Yuichiro Saito emphasized family as the global core value, which the studio uses as a compass to “chart a map” into a “brighter, more hopeful future.”
― Hosted at the Grammy Museum, the inaugural JX '23 honored Studio Chizu as a cultural pioneer for its global success in film. JX, which stands for Japan Crossover, brought together guests from all facets of the entertainment industry u...
Japanese Home Video Sales Down by 16.1% in 2022
2022 marks 17th consecutive year of decline for Japanese home video market
― The Japan Video Software Association (JVA) released its report on home video sales from January to December 2022 on February 7. The DVD and Blu-ray Disc physical home video market's annual revenue amounted to 114.819 billion yen (about US$869 million) with 30,982,000 total discs sold, a 16.1% decrease from last year. 43.617 ...
Netflix Extends Password-Sharing Limits to Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal
Subscribers can add up to 2 secondary users outside of account's primary location for additional charge
― CNN reported on Thursday that Netflix has extended its new password-sharing policy to Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and Portugal. Subscribers will be able to add up to two secondary users who reside outside of the account's primary location for an additional charge of CAD$7.99 (US$5.96), NZD$7.99 (...
Thorfinn Dub Voice Actor Mike Haimoto Accused of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault
Avery Smithhart (Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul's Prushka, Land of the Lustrous' Cinnabar) claims that he isolated her, made up extravagant stories about his past, and in one instance sexually assaulted her after a party.
― English dub voice actor Mike Haimoto (Vinland Saga, Natsume's Book of Friends, Vermeil in Gold) was accused of domestic abuse and sexual assault by his former girlfriend Ave...
Yen Press to Hire 4 New Editorial Assistants
― Yen Press has announced that it is looking to hire four Editorial Assistants. The full-time position will pay US$40,000-US$45,000 per year. Skills required include Japanese language skills with JLPT level 3 or higher; computer skills including MS Word, Excel, Adobe Suit, and databases; time management skills; and a knowledge of and interest in manga and light novels; among other skills. A Bachelor...
Variety Report: Chainsaw Man, Bleach Among 2022's Most Pirated Series in the U.S.
Anime titles make up 50% of the most pirated series in the U.S. last year
― A special report by Variety Intelligence Platform and piracy research firm Muso revealed that Chainsaw Man and Bleach are among 2022's most pirated series in the U.S., with Chainsaw Man taking 2nd place and Bleach ranking 6th. In fact, anime titles make up 50% of the most pirated series in the U.S. last year. The top 10 most ...
Shufunotomo Infos Takes Over Part of Imagica Image Works' Animation, Webtoon Business
Both companies part of Imagica Group
― Media company Imagica Group announced on Tuesday that it will move part of the animation production and webtoon business of its Imagica Image Works subsidiary company to its publishing company subsidiary Shufunotomo Infos beginning in April. The company made the move as part of its expansion and revitalization of its IP business to a global market, and to promot...
Netflix Launches New Password-Sharing Policy in Chile, Costa Rica, Peru
Company shares policy on its U.S. FAQ page before removing it, attributing it to an error
― IndieWire reported on Thursday that Netflix has launched its new password-sharing policy in test markets Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru. Netflix had shared the policy on its United States FAQ page before removing it and attributing it to an error. The new policy stated that all devices using a single Netflix acco...
Comikey Launches Brazilian Website
Company adds 5 webtoon titles in Brazilian Portuguese
― Comikey announced on Monday that it has launched a Brazilian Portuguese website under a new subdomain. The following webtoons are now available on the service in Brazilian Portuguese: Soon-Q and Studio KHIT's Latna Saga: A Jornada do Rei Espadachim (Latna Saga: Survival of a Sword King)
Parrot Kim, Tae_A, and Studio KHIT's The Player Who Can't L...
Dentsu Officials Admit to Rigging Bids for Tokyo Olympics Contracts
Prosecutors also charge Aoki Holdings executives in connection to bid-rigging scandal
― Officials from major Japanese advertising firm Dentsu admitted to rigging bids for contracts related to the Tokyo Olympics test events during a voluntary questioning with prosecutors from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office last week. The officials also said that they were not aware of the illegality of ...
Japan's Publishing Market Sees 1st Overall Sales Decrease in 4 Years
Digital manga sales see 8.9% rise
― The All Japan Magazine and Book Publisher's and Editor's Association (AJPEA) revealed on Wednesday its report on the publishing industry in Japan in 2022. The publishing market as a whole declined 2.6% in 2022 to a total market value of 1.6305 trillion yen (about US$12.59 billion). The digital market rose 7.5% to 501.3 billion yen (about US$3.87 billion), and the p...
Hasbro to Lay Off 15% of Workforce in 2023
Company to cut approximately 1,000 positions this year
― Hasbro announced on Thursday it is planning a 15% reduction of its global workforce. The company will cut approximately 1,000 positions this year, beginning in the next several weeks. The company also stated that it will announce “a new organizational model, commercial alignment, and leadership changes” during its quarterly earnings call on Feb...
Answerman - What's With All the Delayed Aniplex Shows?
Kim explains how it's not just COVID, but shortcomings of the industry itself, that led to three anime productions' schedule crashes.
― This time, we interrupt the regular reader-submitted questions with some “behind the headlines” analysis. Kim asked:
Three Aniplex shows—NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a, UniteUp!, and Ayakashi Triangle—have recently announced delays due to COVID-19. Is COVID actually a probl...
Interview: Shuzo John Shiota, President of Polygon Pictures
Polygon Pictures president recounts his earnest beginnings, trying to win over overseas fans, and competition with Studio Orange in our newest interview.
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In December 2022, I had the privilege of visiting the Polygon Pictures Digital animation studio in Tokyo when it was about to enter its 40th year of production. One purpose of the visit was to learn more about the studio's latest TV series, Kaina...
Tokyopop Appoints Marc Visnick as COO, Publisher
Visnick joined company in early 2022
― Tokyopop announced on Thursday that the company has appointed Marc Visnick as the COO and publisher. The company promoted Visnick internally from the post of vice president of publishing. In his role as COO and publisher, Visnick will manage all North American operations of the company including print, digital, editorial, marketing/PR, sales, and distribution. H...
Netflix Crosses 230.75 Million Global Paid Subscribers, Co-CEO Reed Hastings Steps Down
"Paid sharing" subscription options to be available "more broadly" in 1st quarter of 2023
― IndieWire reported on Thursday that Netflix has crossed 230.75 million global paid subscribers, gaining 7.66 million subscribers in the final quarter of 2022. The news website also reported that the company's co-founder and co-CEO Reed Hastings is stepping down from his post. Netflix also announced that its “p...
Amazon Lays Off Comixology Staff
Amazon to layoff 18,000 of its employees
― Amazon laid off a major number of its staff in its digital comic book platform division Comixology on Wednesday. According to Comixology program manager Scott McGovern, "numerous" staffers, about 75%, were affected and received an email from Amazon regarding the layoffs. Polygon reported that many people have been affected, and The Beat states that all jobs ...
Bandai Namco Sues Former Worker for Allegedly Embezzling 600 Million Yen in Mobile Devices
Employee allegedly sold 4,400 company smartphones from 2015 to 2022
― Bandai Namco Holdings revealed on Wednesday that it is suing a former employee for 600 million yen (about US$4.65 million) in damages, claiming that the employee sold internal company smartphones without authorization for personal profit. According to Bandai Namco Holdings, its subsidiary company Bandai Namco Entertainment first no...
Answerman - Why Do Some Anime Releases Have a "Content Japan" Logo On Them?
Kim explains this specific anti-piracy measure and how it came to be used.
― Taylor asked:
I keep seeing that Content Japan logo for a variety of releases outside Japan, no matter who the licensor or licensee is. From my current collection, I see it on Blue Exorcist, Clannad, Eureka Seven (Essentials release), IGPX, My Hero Academia (on some occasions), Promare, Spirited Away, and that's just some. ...
Japanese Streaming Service GYAO! Shuts Down on March 31
― The Japanese streaming service GYAO! announced on Monday that the service will shut down on March 31. The GYAO! Store will also shut down at that time. The streaming service launched in Japan in September 2009 after combining the USEN-managed GyaO and Yahoo! Japan-managed Yahoo! Douga services. No membership registration is required to view videos on GYAO!. Users can watch movies, live-action show...
HBO Max Increases Monthly Subscriber Price from US$14.99 to US$15.99
New ad-free plan pricing starts on February 11
― The HBO Max streaming service revealed on Thursday that it is increasing the monthly price for the ad-free plan from US$14.99 to US$15.99, starting on February 11. Current subscribers whose next billing date falls on or after that day will pay the new monthly price. This marks the service's first price increase since its launch. The HBO Max streaming s...
Belarus Legalizes Piracy of Audiovisual Media, Computer Software From Japan
Government will allow access without the consent of copyright holders from "unfriendly" nations until December 2024
― The government of Belarus passed a law on January 3 permitting residents to access audiovisual media and computer software without the consent of copyright holders from "unfriendly" nations, of which Japan is a part of. The new law will be in effect until December 2024. Going forward,...
del Toro's Pinocchio Film Wins Golden Globe Award Over Inu-Oh
― Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio won the Best Motion Picture – Animated award in the 80th Golden Globe Awards on Tuesday. Inu-Oh, Masaaki Yuasa's musical anime feature film of Hideo Furukawa's Heike Monogatari: Inu-Oh no Maki (Tales of the Heike: Inu-Oh) novel, was nominated in this category. Other nominees include Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and Turning Red. Aside ...
Animator Dormitory Project Launches 2023 Crowdfunding Campaign
Campaign has a US$30,000 goal, which would house 10 new animators
― The Animator Supporters non-profit organization launched its 2023 crowdfunding campaign for the Animator Dormitory project on Saturday. The campaign has a US$30,000 goal, which would house 10 new animators. The organization is also planning to hire animators for music video projects with a fixed salary rather than by piece rate. The ...
Chiyomaru Shikura Steps Down as Chair, Executive Director of MAGES.
Shikura to remain as executive producer at company that holds Steins;Gate, other Science Adventure titles
―
The multimedia company MAGES. and its chairperson and founding executive director Chiyomaru Shikura announced on Wednesday that Shikura is stepping down from these positions. He will remain as an executive producer who will focus on the development of original works and new games. The content ...
More Actors Tie the Knot on New Year's Day
Ryota Katayose & Tao Tsuchiya, Gou Ayano & Yui Sakuma announce marriages
― The new year brought in a wave of Japanese celebrity marriage announcements, including singer Aimer's marriage to musician Masahiro Tobinai, Smile Down the Runway manga creator Kotoba Inoya's marriage to voice actress Ayaka Suwa, and voice actor's Nobunaga Shimazaki marriage to an anonymous partner. The New Year's Day marriage...
ANN's Most Read News and Interest Articles of 2022
We bid one last goodbye to 2022 with our top stories from the year.
― 2022 was a very different year compared to 2021 and 2020. The pandemic continued, but it no longer dominated the headlines, and its effects were much less apparent in most of our readers' countries. Although it didn't make the top ANN news itself, one of the biggest stories worldwide was, of course, the return to “life as usual,” o...
Japanese Art Commission Platform Skeb Bans AI Art
Includes works which are only partially created with AI software
― The Japanese art commission platform Skeb announced on its Twitter account last Friday that it is banning AI art submitted to the "illustration" category, including works which are only partially created with AI software. The staff is personally screening submissions to detect signs of AI use and gathering opinions from creators about...
Pokémon Company Sues Company Advertising 'PokéWorld' NFT Game
Court restrains Australian company from claiming license or affiliation with Pokémon Company
― The Pokémon Company International has filed a lawsuit against Pokémon Pty Ltd, an Australian company advertising its unlicensed non-fungible token (NFT) game "PokéWorld" under the name Kotiota Studios. The "PokéWorld" website falsely claims that The Pokémon Company International and Kotiota are making the g...
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