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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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 (...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
Seven Seas States Amazon in Europe Has Stopped Purchasing its Titles
Seven Seas: Amazon Europe has made "environmental decision" to cease purchasing from publisher
― North American manga and light novel publisher Seven Seas Entertainment announced on Twitter on Monday that Amazon in Europe has made an "environmental decision" to stop purchasing books from the company. Seven Seas added Amazon in Europe has also ceased purchasing from other companies in Seven Seas' regi...
HIDIVE: Some Temporarily Unavailable Series Expected to Return to HIDIVE in Early 2023
Series such as Amagi Brilliant Park, Di Gi Charat are unavailable due to ongoing curation of HIDIVE library
― HIDIVE revealed to ANN that due to "a regular and ongoing curation" of its library, some series such as Amagi Brilliant Park and Di Gi Charat are temporarily unavailable but "are expected to return to HIDIVE in early 2023." HIDIVE did not list all series that are missing or when it removed th...
CREST Acquires Utawarerumono Developer Aquaplus
Also: CREST merges with 2 companies, renames itself to HIKE
― CREST announced on Friday that it has acquired the video game development company Aquaplus, and Aquaplus is now a subsidiary of the company. CREST also announced that it is merging with SANETTY Produce and QBIST on February 1, and the new company after the merger will be called HIKE. SANETTY Produce handles production of "2.5D" stage event...
Penguin Random House CEO Resigns Following Unsuccessful Attempted Acquisition of Simon & Schuster
COO Nihar Malaviya will become interim CEO
― Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle announced on Friday that he is resigning following the company's unsuccessful attempted acquisition of publishing business Simon & Schuster. COO Nihar Malaviya will become interim CEO while the company looks for a Dohle's replacement. Dohle became CEO of the merged company Penguin Random House in 2013, and he served as...
Right Stuf President, Co-Founder Shawne Kleckner Leaves Right Stuf/Crunchyroll
Kleckner co-founded anime retail, licensing company in 1987
― In an email sent to Crunchyroll staff and shared with Anime News Network, anime retailer Right Stuf president and co-founder Shawne Kleckner told fellow employees this week that he will leave Right Stuf and Crunchyroll on December 14. He expressed his confidence in the current Right Stuf management team at Crunchyroll. Kleckner's friend To...
Right Stuf President, Co-Founder Shawne Klecker Leaves Right Stuf/Crunchyroll
Kleckner co-founded anime retail, licensing company in 1987
― In an email sent to Crunchyroll staff and shared with Anime News Network, anime retailer Right Stuf president and co-founder Shawne Kleckner told fellow employees this week that he will leave Right Stuf and Crunchyroll on December 14. He expressed his confidence in the current Right Stuf management team at Crunchyroll. Kleckner's friend To...
Toho International Appoints Former Crunchyroll Executives Kristin Parcell, Stacy Burt to Build E-Commerce Platform for Godzilla Franchise
New platform launches in 2023
― Toho International, Toho's U.S.-based subsidiary, appointed former Crunchyroll executives Kristin Parcell as general manager and Stacy Burt as director of marketing. The two will focus on building an e-commerce platform catered to fandom for Toho's Godzilla franchise, including its anime. The new platform will feature existing products and exclusives, and Toho is plann...
Crunchyroll: Some Home Video Releases May Be Unavailable While SKUs Refresh
Crunchyroll: "There are current Funimation SKUs that will be retired and replaced with new SKUs"
― Crunchyroll revealed to ANN on Monday that some stock keeping units (SKUs) for home video releases from Funimation will be retired and replaced with new SKUs. Subsequently, there may be a period of time when select titles are unavailable on home video. Crunchyroll provided a comment to ANN:
There are cu...
Animate Group's C-labo Card Shop Chain Accused of Tax Evasion
Company states it has already filed revised tax return, paid full amount due; former CEO indicted
― The Animate Group's C-labo card shop chain revealed on Thursday that the company and its former representative director Keiichirō Nishiura have been accused of violating corporate tax law. The announcement stated the company has already filed a revised tax return under the guidance of the National Tax ...
Sentai Filmworks/HIDIVE Owner AMC Networks' CEO Steps Down, Announces Layoffs
AMC Networks to lay off employees due to subscriber losses from cable-cutting
― AMC Networks' CEO Christina Spade has stepped down on Monday after less than three months in the role. The company is planning to lay off about 20% of its employees due to subscriber losses from cancellation of cable bundles in favor of streaming services. According to the company, its streaming services, such as AMC+, ha...
Tokyo Laboratory Ends Film Processing Business After 67 Years
Digital imaging, video editing, archiving businesses transfer to parent company Toho
― Tokyo Laboratory (Tokyo Genzōsho, or Togen) and parent company Toho announced on Friday that Tokyo Laboratory is ending its film processing business on Wednesday after 67 years. The companies decided that it would be difficult to continue it due to a change in its business environment, including increased movement ...
Hakuhodo, Fuji Creative, Tokyu Agency, Same Two Searched in Olympic Bribery Scandal
Prosecutors also raided Dentsu, Cerespo
― Japanese prosecutors on Monday searched offices for advertising agencies Hakuhodo Inc. and Tokyu Agency Inc., as well as event production companies Fuji Creative Corporation and Same Two Inc., on suspicion of rigging bids for contracts related to last year's Tokyo Olympics test events. Prosecutors and the Japan Fair Trade Commission raided advertising agency ...
NHK Asks Netflix to Remove its Titles Due to Ad-Supported Subscriptions
Netflix removes advertisements for NHK programming, continues to stream titles
― The Japan Times reported on Thursday that NHK has asked Netflix to suspend distribution of all of its 22 titles after Netflix's launch of its new advertisement-supported subscription tier. Netflix removed advertisements for NHK programming on Wednesday and continues to stream the titles. According to The Japan Times, Net...
Japan's Ministry of Finance Aims to Make Cool Japan Fund Profitable by 2025 or Risk Consolidation
Cool Japan Fund is 30.9 billion yen in the red
― Japan's Ministry of Finance revealed on Wednesday that it is setting up a new improvement plan for Cool Japan Fund, the public-private company that the Japanese government employs to fund projects as part of its "Cool Japan" program. If it cannot make Cool Japan Fund profitable by the end of fiscal year 2025, the Ministry may consolidate it. This is th...
Penguin Random House's Acquisition of Simon & Schuster Terminated
Paramount Global did not extend purchase agreement; PRH to pay US$200 million termination fee
― Publishing business Simon & Schuster's parent company Paramount Global did not extend the purchase agreement it had with Penguin Random House to acquire Simon & Schuster on Monday, terminating the purchase and forcing Penguin Random House to pay Paramount Global a US$200 million termination fee. A federal ...
Polygon Pictures Buys More Shares, Renames Malaysia Studio to Polygon Pictures Malaysia
Polygon Pictures jointly established Malaysia subsidiary Silver Ant-PPI with Studio Silver Ant in 2013
― Polygon Pictures announced on Friday that it has acquired additional shares in Malaysia-based joint venture studio Silver Ant-PPI (SAPPI) and has renamed it to Polygon Pictures Malaysia. Polygon Pictures stated that its objective in the acquisition is to increase its competitiveness in the field o...
Game Director Yuji Naka Arrested for Insider Trading
Naka arrested for purchasing shares in Dragon Quest Tact developer Aiming prior to game's announcement
― The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office arrested game programmer and director Yuji Naka on Friday on suspicion of insider trading, or buying/selling stock on the basis of nonpublic information. The arrest is connected with Thursday's arrests of former Square Enix employee Taisuke Sasaki and h...
pixiv Announces Transaction Restrictions For 'Unethical' Content
Users asked to delete or make private such content before new Terms of Service roll out on December 15
― The pixiv art website announced an update to its Terms of Service on Tuesday, and also warned that some users are violating its Brand Protection for Card Networks policy on transactions of prohibited content through the site's BOOTH, pixivFANBOX, and pixiv Requests services. The prohibited content...
2 Square Enix Employees Arrested for Insider Trading
Both purchased shares in Dragon Quest Tact developer Aiming prior to game's announcement
― The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office arrested two former Square Enix employees on suspicion of insider trading, or buying/selling stock on the basis of nonpublic information. Around November 2019, while working at Square Enix, Taisuke Sasaki had learned that the company and Aiming were developing the Dr...
Amazon to Lay Off About 10,000 Employees
Layoffs in corporate/technology jobs including Amazon devices organization (Alexa)
― Amazon has begun laying off employees this week, and it is reportedly planning to lay off about 10,000 people in corporate and technology jobs. This includes the Amazon devices organization (Alexa), retail division, and human resources. The number 10,000 represents about 3% of Amazon's corporate employees and less th...
BookWalker Global Launches TATESC Comics Vertical-Scrolling Webcomic Brand in English
24 titles available at launch including Bungo Stray Dogs, The Devil Is a Part-Timer!
― BookWalker Global announced on Wednesday that it will launch the TATESC Comics vertical-scrolling webcomic brand in English. TATESC (pronounced ta-te-sk) stands for TATE (vertical) and SC (scrolling). Kadokawa launched the service in Japanese in August 2021. TATESC features the following 24 launch titles: A Blossom...
Viz Media Appoints Boutique Licensing Agency in Europe
Boutique-style brand licensing agency to manage licensees, support retail partnerships, create plan for Europe
― Viz Media announced on Monday that it is appointing Boutique Licensing Agency (BLA!) as its European agency to lead its consumer products business expansion internationally. BLA!'s role will be to create a strategic plan with Viz for Europe; sign and manage licensees across general merchan...
AJA: Anime Industry Grew by 13.3% in 2021
Japanese, overseas markets each grew; streaming dramatically increased by 65.9%
― The Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) released a preview of its Anime Industry Report 2022 findings (for the year 2021) on Tuesday. The association then released the full report on Friday. The report found that the wider anime industry (including merchandise, music, etc.) grew by 13.3% in 2021 compared to 2020, w...
Nintendo, DeNA Establish Joint Venture Company
Research, development subsidiary scheduled to be established on April 3
― Nintendo announced on Tuesday that it is partnering with game company DeNA to establish a joint venture company that will be a specified subsidiary of Nintendo named "Nintendo Systems Co., Ltd." The companies will establish the joint venture on April 3. The subsidiary's primary objective is "Research and development, as well as...
Local Manga Localization Company Owner Steps Down
Owner states all debts will be "satisfied in full" by December 31 before company's change in ownership, rebranding
― Dallas-based localization company Local Manga's representative Christopher Hepburn announced on Twitter on Thursday that he is relinquishing ownership of the company as he is moving to a career in academia. He further stated the company's debts will be "satisfied in full" by December 3...
Shueisha Requests Spanish Advertiser to Take Down Alleged Ads on Pirate Sites
Advertising company complied with request after 3 days
― NHK reported on Friday that Shueisha has asked a Spanish advertising company to stop its advertising and issuance of revenue to at least 27 manga pirate websites, with the company complying with the request. NHK called the move the first time a Japanese publishing company has issued such a request to a foreign advertising company. Sites that of...
Federal Judge Blocks Penguin Random House's Acquisition of Simon & Schuster
U.S. Justice Department had filed lawsuit due to antitrust concerns
― A federal judge blocked Penguin Random House's purchase of publishing business Simon & Schuster, in agreement with the Justice Department. Judge Florence Y. Pan said that the companies were "enjoined and restrained from consummating the proposed merger, or otherwise effecting a combination of Penguin Random House, LLC, and Simon & ...
Toei Animation Revises Earnings Forecast Due to One Piece, Dragon Ball's Success
One Piece Film Red, Dragon Ball Super Super Hero anime films increased company's profits
― Toei Animation revised on Friday its consolidated earnings forecast for the full fiscal year ending March 2023, as well as for the second quarter from this past July-September. The company increased its sales and profit due to the success of the One Piece Film Red and Dragon Ball Super Super Hero anime films, b...
Crunchyroll Increases Monthly Price in Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, More Territories
Funimation also increases prices as part of creating unified subscription service
― Crunchyroll revealed that it will increase its monthly subscription price on October 31 in several territories, across a mix of web and mobile, including: Chile Canada Austria
Finland Argentina Australia New Zealand
Mexico
Netherlands
Faroe Islands Greenland Some Funimation prices will also change across a mix of web ...
Shonen Jump Magazine Tops 700,000 in Digital Circulation, Dips Below 1.3 Million in Print
Magazine begins reader appreciation campaigns
― Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine started its "Great Thanksgiving Campaign" on Wednesday in celebration of reaching 700,000 readers/subscribers every issue of the digital magazine. Meanwhile, the Japan Magazine Publishers Association (JMPA) revealed in August that the magazine's print circulation fell to 1,290,417 copies during April to June of thi...
Netflix Adds 2.41 Million Subscribers Globally in 3rd Quarter
1st increase this year; streamer to roll out 'approach to monetize account sharing' in more countries
― Netflix announced on Tuesday that it has added 2.41 million subscribers to its service in the third quarter of 2022, after losing about 200,000 subscribers in the year's first quarter, and another 970,000 in the second quarter. The streaming service now records a total of 223.09 million subscribers...
PLAION PICTURES' Acquisition of Anime Limited is Confirmed (Updated)
Anime Limited's co-founders Andrew Partridge, Cedric Littardi, CEO of PLAION PICTURES welcome the deal
― In a press release, Anime Limited has confirmed that PLAION PICTURES, the German film publishing subsidiary of the PLAION Group, has agreed to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Anime Limited from its founders. The press release quotes Andrew Partridge, the Managing Director and co-founder of An...
Nintendo Settles with Former Employee Over Wrongful Dismissal Complaint
Companies settled paying US$25,910 in unpaid wages, damages
― Nintendo of America and staffing agency Aston Carter have reached a settlement with former quality assurance worker Mackenzie Clifton on Wednesday over an alleged wrongful dismissal. The companies settled paying US$25,910 in unpaid wages and damages. Aston Carter will take liability and pay Clifton. As part of the settlement Nintendo is al...
German Film Magazine: PLAION Pictures Acquires UK's Anime Limited
Anime distributor was founded in late 2012
― The German-language film trade magazine Blickpunkt:Film reported on Tuesday that PLAION Pictures has acquired British anime distributor Anime Limited. PLAION Pictures is a division of PLAION Group, formerly known as Koch Media. PLAION Pictures was previously known as Koch Films. PLAION is a member of the Embracer Group. Embracer Group AB is based in Sweden...
Bayonetta Voice Actress Calls For Boycott of Bayonetta 3; Cites Poor Pay From Platinum Games
Hellena Taylor claims she was offered US$4,000 to reprise role in Bayonetta 3
― Voice actress Hellena Taylor, who voiced the titular character in the Bayonetta video game series, posted a series of videos on Twitter on Saturday explaining why she did not reprise the role for Bayonetta 3, and calling for a boycott of the game. In the Twitter videos, she claimed that Platinum Games had offered her a fl...
Japanese Toy Merchandise Company Sun Arrow Caught Up in Olympics Bribery Scandal
Former Tokyo Olympic executive Haruyuki Takahashi accepted bribes from company
― Japanese prosecutors are accusing former Tokyo Olympic organizing committee executive Haruyuki Takahashi of allegedly accepting bribes from Sun Arrow, a toy merchandise company known for making plush toys for Studio Ghibli films and other anime. The prosecutors believe the 78-year-old Takahashi has received a total of 8 ...
Gaming, Technology TV Channel G4 Shuts Down
Company lays off 45 staff members of channel
― Deadline reported on Sunday that Comcast's Spectacor division is shutting down the technology and gaming-focused television channel G4. The company has laid off 45 staff members of the channel. CEO of Comcast's Spectacor Dave Scott stated in a memo to staff, "Over the past several months, we worked hard to generate that interest in G4, but viewership is ...
Anime Concert Market Grew 195% in 2021, But is Still Half of Pre-Pandemic Revenue
Market revenue hit 12.1 billion yen in 2021, 4.1 billion yen in 2020
― The Pia Sōken live entertainment research company revealed on October 5 that anime-related live entertainment events (including anime song concerts, and concerts centering on anime voice actors and singers) recorded a total market revenue of 12.1 billion yen (about US$81.34 million) from the period of January to December 2021. The...
Netflix Details Ad-Supported Subscription Tier's November Rollout
'Basic with Ads' tier launches in 12 territories, plays 4-5 minutes of ads per hour
― Netflix announced on Thursday that it will launch its new advertisement-supported "Basic with Ads" subscription tier in November in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, and Australia. In particular, the tier will launch in the United States for U...
Toei Has Highest-Ever Box Office Year With 22 Billion Yen in 2022
Toei's previous record high year was 2009
― Toei announced on Saturday that it has recorded a box office revenue of 22,045,453,934 billion yen (about US$151 million) for the films it has distributed in the period from January 1 to September 30 this year, already making it the company's highest-earning year in the box office. Toei opened the One Piece Film Red anime in Japan on August 6. The film has ...
Kadokawa Chair, Vice-Chair Resign After Alleged Olympic Sponsorship Bribery
Media conglomerate sets up committee to investigate matter, propose changes
― Kadokawa announced on Wednesday that it has accepted the resignation offers from its board chair Tsuguhiko Kadokawa and vice-chair Masaki Matsubara. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office had indicted the chair on Tuesday for alleged bribery over sponsorship for the 2020 Summer Olympics. The company also announced th...
Kadokawa Chair Tsuguhiko Kadokawa to Resign Amid Indictment on Charges of Bribery
Tsuguhiko Kadokawa was arrested on September 14 on suspicion of bribery for Tokyo 2020 Olympics
― The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported on Tuesday that Kadokawa chairman Tsuguhiko Kadokawa (79) intends to resign from the company. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office had indicted him earlier on Tuesday. Mainichi Shimbun stated it learned of the chairman's intention through his defense team....
Bandai Namco Filmworks Invests in CG Studio Anima
Companies aim to create original works that combine CG/hand-drawn animation
― Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on Monday that it has invested in CG studio Anima. The companies did not reveal the investment amount. The companies aim to cooperate to create high-quality original works that combine CG animation and hand-drawn animation. Studio Anima was founded in 1997. The company has worked on 3DCG pro...
Crunchyroll Updates Statement on Advertising VOD Policy
"AVOD content will rotate and refresh regularly, sometimes returning for stunts, special promotions and commemorative occasions."
― Crunchyroll provided an updated statement to ANN this week, regarding its advertising video-on-demand (AVOD) policy: Crunchyroll continues to make more than 1,000 hours of anime available for free through our advertiser-supported tier. Select episodes of our most popular...
Kyle McCarley May Not Star in Mob Psycho 100 III Anime Due to Disagreement with Crunchyroll about Union Dubs (Updated)
"It has been made abundantly clear to me that in the case of season three of Mob Psycho 100, Crunchyroll is not going to be producing that show on a SAG-AFTRA contract."
― Voice actor Kyle McCarley revealed on Tuesday in a video on his YouTube channel that he may not reprise his role as protagonist Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama in the upcoming English dub of Mob Psycho 100 III because Crunchyroll is not comp...
Penguin Random House Expands Partnership with Dark Horse to Distribute Single-Issue Comics/Manga
Companies enter exclusive worldwide multi-year agreement
― Dark Horse Comics announced on Wednesday that it has entered into an exclusive worldwide multi-year agreement with the Penguin Random House publishing group for the latter's sales and distribution of Dark Horse's newly published and backlist single-issue comic book periodicals, graphic novels, and manga to direct market comic shops. (The dire...
TOHO Acquires Controlling Stake in TIA, Renames it to Toho Animation Studio
Toho now has 67.4% stake in studio, with ILCA controlling remaining 32.6%
― Toho announced on Saturday that it has acquired a controlling stake in TIA (Toho Interactive Animation) studio, making it a subsidiary company, and changing its name to Toho Animation Studio. CG animation studios ILCA and Anima established the company jointly with the name I&A in 2017. The company changed its name to TIA in 2...
Kadokawa Chair Tsuguhiko Kadokawa Arrested for Alleged Bribery for Olympic Sponsorship
Investigators: Kadokawa paid 70 million yen in consulting fees to firm linked to former Olympic organizing committee member
― The Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office arrested Kadokawa chairman Tsuguhiko Kadokawa on Wednesday on suspicion of bribing a former member of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics organizing committee. The company is suspected of paying around 69 million yen (about US$480,000) ...
PlayStation Hardware Head Masayasu Ito Retires From Sony Interactive Entertainment
Key figure in PS4 development will move to Sony mobility division for electronic vehicles
― Sony Interactive Entertainment announced on Tuesday that representative director Masayasu Ito will resign from his position on October 1. Current director and deputy president Lin Tao will assume Ito's role starting from that date. Senior Vice President Kiichiro Urata will also join the board of directors. SIE...
Wakanim Streaming Service Delays Content After Possible Data Breach
User information allegedly sold through data leak forum
― Sony-owned European streaming service Wakanim announced last Thursday that it has delayed the release of new content as it works on an "issue." An August 28 post on the data leak marketplace Breach Forums offered to sell data leaked from 6.7 million users on Wakanim, including each user's account name, universally unique identifier, IP address...
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