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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 ...
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...
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...
Local Manga Localization Company Struggles to Settle Debts By December 31 Deadline
Former company owner told ANN that he now plans to settle all late payments to freelancers by March 31
― Localization company Local Manga is reportedly struggling to issue months' worth of late payments to freelancers after announcing that all debts would be “satisfied in full” by December 31. Local Manga's representative Christopher Hepburn announced on Twitter on November 3 that he is relinquishing...
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...
Ken Akamatsu Says Japan's Controversial Invoice System Can't Be Stopped
The manga creator turned legislator is now focusing his efforts on revising the law after it goes into effect next October
― Although manga artist turned legislator Ken Akamatsu campaigned on a platform of staunch opposition to Japan's controversial new invoice system, his most recent comments about the issue are more measured. Last Friday, he wrote on Twitter that "the hurdle is high" for changing t...
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...
Production I.G and Studio Wit President George Wada
The newly minted president and CEO of Production I.G talked to us about why Wit Studio has seemingly passed on later seasons of its hit series, whether work-life balance has improved for animators, and how Netflix could better promote anime.
― George Wada at Anime NYC. Photo by: Lynzee Loveridge. George Wada has forged a considerable legacy in the anime industry in the last 20 years. The newly minte...
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 ...
Manga Industry Survey: Over 20% of Artists Fear Bankruptcy Due to Japan's New Invoice System
From October 2023, invoices will be subject to consumption tax
― Last Tuesday, representatives from four entertainment industry lobby groups held a press conference to express their opposition to Japan's controversial new invoice system. Manga artist Reon Yutaka revealed worrying statistics based on a manga industry survey: 98% of respondents were sole proprietors, and among them 20.6％ reported that ...
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...
A Discussion Among Unions - 100% Union Power at Little Secret
Voice actors Kyle McCarley and David Errigo Jr,. discuss the hurdles of unionization with colleagues from the VFX and gaming industry, including how Crunchyroll squashed a potential union contract for Fena: Pirate Princess.
― Members from the animation, gaming, voice acting, and VFX industries came together to discuss unionization efforts across games, VFX, animation, and voice acting. Initially sch...
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...
Interview with ANN's CEO and Publisher Christopher Macdonald
Following the news of Kadokawa's acquisition of Anime News Network, many of our readers have asked questions about what this means for the site going forward. ANN CEO and publisher Christopher Macdonald answers your biggest questions.
― Following the news of Kadokawa's acquisition of Anime News Network, many of our readers have asked questions about what this means for the site and its content going ...
Production I.G., WIT Studio Producers Are Very Happy About Overseas Collabs
In the producers' own words, many overseas animators and business partners possess "passionate otaku hearts"
― Production I.G. producer Hiroshi Ito and WIT Studio producer Tetsuya Nakatake gave some insight into the current state of overseas collaborations at TIFFCOM's "Global Strategies of Japanese Animation Studios -Our Positive Global Strategies-" seminar. Overall, they welcome overseas partnershi...
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...
KADOKAWA Announces Acquisition of Anime News Network's Media Business
― KADOKAWA Announces Acquisition of Anime News Network's Media Business KADOKAWA CORPORATION (Headquarter: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Member of the Board: Takeshi Natsuno; hereinafter "KADOKAWA") announced today that the company has reached an agreement with Anime News Network Inc. (Headquarters: Quebec Province, Canada, President: Christopher Macdonald, hereinafter “ANN”) with respect to KADO...
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 & ...
Answerman - What Can We Do to Help English Voice Actors?
Kim Morrissy lays out some of the things fans can do to support their favorite VAs amid all the news about fair wages and recasts.
― Jake asked: I was shocked to hear that the highest paid actor on Jujutsu Kaisen 0 wasn't even paid $1,000 on a movie that made $30 million. Even TV shows like Mob Psycho 100 have come under fire for refusing to use SAG actors, leading to recasts. Will companies like So...
How Tencent Sees the Future of Anime & Games
Hint: It involves live service games
― With Tencent stepping up its involvement in Japanese anime and games, how does the Chinese digital media company perceive the future of these mediums? Juno Shin, vice general manager at Tencent Games, offered some insight at TIFFCOM's "The potential of Games x Anime as perceived by Tencent Games" seminar on Tuesday. First, he commented that, due to COVID, there'...
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...
Japanese Art, Content Sites Tighten Policies Around AI-Generated Art
Conversations around the ethics of AI art heighten as AI art goes viral online
― Last week, AI-generated drawings of anime characters eating ramen went viral in Japan. The amusing thing about the trend was seeing AI come up with technically impressive art that nevertheless gets strange details wrong, like characters eating ramen with their hands. The meme inspired human artists to draw parodies and c...
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...
Answerman - Will HIDIVE Be Able to Compete Against the Megacorps?
Viewers noticed that HIDIVE is ramping up its seasonal streaming offerings, but is it on its way to be Crunchyroll's competitor, or should it even try?
― MAD asked: In the last year or so, HIDIVE has ramped up their anime offerings. Thanks to the AMC acquisition, they now have the extra money to pick up more seasonal picks and scored big with anime like Ya Boy Kongming! and the upcoming Urusei Yatsu...
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...
Mob Psycho 100's Kyle McCarley on Anime Dubbing and #JustAMeeting
McCarley gives a detailed breakdown of the negotiations with Crunchyroll, discussions with other cast members, concerns between Texas and Los Angeles-based voice actors, and his opinion on the benefits of unionization for the anime industry.
― On September 20, voice actor Kyle McCarley dropped a bombshell video announcing he would likely not be returning to voice Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama in the dub of t...
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...
Answerman - Do the Animation Cuts at HBO Max and Netflix Spell Trouble for the Anime Industry?
The fan-favorite column returns with a new host! The first question: Do recent cuts to domestic animation spell bad news abroad?
― UPDATE (10/2): The Answerman email written in the original article pointed to an outdated address. This has now been corrected. Please direct your questions to [email protected] After two years of hiatus, Answerman is back! For those of you who need an introd...
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) ...
Manga Artists, VTubers Fear Japan's New Invoice System Invites Loss of Privacy
People who use pennames will have to reveal their real names to public database in order to file verified invoices
― Japan will implement a new system for filing invoices in October 2023, but it is unpopular among members of the creative industries who use pseudonyms. Under the new proposed system, invoices can only be considered "verified" if individuals file them using their real names, and the nam...
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...
Uncle From Another World Insider Paints Gloomy Picture of Anime's Production Schedule
Animator Ippei Ichii said he pulled out of directing anime's 10th episode because no staff were available
― Animator Ippei Ichii shared a startling picture of the difficult production circumstances on the television anime Uncle From Another World (Isekai Ojisan). According to Ichii, he was planning to direct the anime's 10th episode but pulled out of the production because "there was no animation sta...
Comikey Partner Link-U, South Korean Publisher D&C Media Launch Studio Moon 6 Webtoon Studio in Japan
Studio Moon 6 to produce "NovelToons"
― U.S.-based digital publisher Comikey announced on Thursday that Link-U, its partner in Japan, and South Korean publisher D&C Media have launched the new webtoon studio Studio Moon 6 in Tokyo. Studio Moon 6 aims to produce "NovelToons," webtoons that use light novels and web novels as source material. The company is looking for Japanese novels and D&C's catalog ...
Agency for Cultural Affairs Opens Free Consultations About Issuing Copyright Takedowns
Japan's government aims to strengthen support for individual creators who may otherwise lack the resources or expertise to issue copyright takedowns
― The Japanese government's Agency for Cultural Affairs opened a free online consultation service on Tuesday for creators seeking to combat internet piracy. Individuals can apply for consultation via the copyright information portal website; experts spec...
Tencent, SIE Acquire 30.34% Stake in FromSoftware
Companies purchase 36 billion yen in shares
― Kadokawa announced on Wednesday that Hong Kong-based Tencent subsidiary Sixjoy and Sony Interactive Entertainment have jointly acquired a 30.34% stake in game developer FromSoftware (Elden Ring, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Dark Souls). Sixjoy Hong Kong will own 16.25%, while SIE will own 14.09%. Kadokawa will retain a 69.66% majority stake in FromSoftware....
Twin Engine, Tencent Announce Capital Tie-Up
Also: Mecha Comic operator Amutus Corporation, BookLive
― Anime planning and production company Twin Engine (production for Vinland Saga, Dororo, Pet), Chinese internet conglomerate Tencent Holdings, Mecha Comic digital service operator Amutus Corporation, and BookLive announced on Monday that they have entered into a capital tie-up. The companies finished the first round of funding (Series A funding...
Bloomberg: Netflix's Ad-Supported Subscription Plans to be Priced at US$7-US$9
Bloomberg reported on Friday that Netflix is considering pricing its advertisement-supported subscription tier at US$7-US$9 per month. The company plans to rollout the new subscription plans in at least six markets from October through November. The ad-supported accounts would stream four minutes of advertisements for every one hour of content streamed. The plan would cost approximately half as mu...
Young Dragon Age Magazine Switches to Bimonthly Publication Schedule
Magazine started out as Bessatsu Dragon Age, previously had quarterly schedule
― The official website for Kadokawa's Young Dragon Age magazine revealed on Wednesday that the magazine will switch from a quarterly publication to a bimonthly (once every two months), with new issues on every even-numbered month. The magazine's next issue will ship on August 29. Young Dragon Age started out as Bessatsu Dr...
Industry Group Launches Anime Database With 15,000 Titles
Anime Taizen includes details for titles created since 1917
― The Association of Japanese Animations launched a comprehensive database on anime called "Anime Taizen" (Anime Complete Works) on Thursday. Anime Taizen is part of the "Anime Next_100" project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of anime (with the first historical record being in 1917). The database includes details - such as release date...
Anime DVD/BD Market in Japan Shrank in 2022
Home video sales for anime were 11.82 billion yen, 54.6% down from 2021
― The Japan Video Software Association (JVA) released last week the Blu-ray Disc and DVD sales and shipment statistics in Japan for the first half of 2022. The home video sales of Japanese animation for general audiences (as opposed to children only) during this period were 11.82 billion yen (about US$86 million), a significant d...
Wall Street Journal: Cineworld, Owner of Regal Cinemas, is Expected to File for Bankruptcy
Company is expected to file Chapter 11 petition in U.S; is considering filing for insolvency in U.K.
― The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the Cineworld, owner of Regal Cinemas, has met with lawyers from Kirkland & Ellis LLP and consultants from AlixPartners for advice on the bankruptcy process. According to the news outlet, the company is expected to file a Chapter 11 petition in the Uni...
Nippon Ichi Software Appoints Kōichi Kitazumi as President
Sohei Niikawa resigns from his position as president due to personal reasons
― Nippon Ichi Software announced on Friday that it has appointed chairman of the board Kōichi Kitazumi as the new president of the company. Sohei Niikawa resigned from his position of president due to personal reasons. Kitazumi will concurrently serve as both president and chairman. Kitazumi joined Nippon Ichi Software as it...
Post-Production Firms Q-Tec, Pony Canyon Enterprises to Merge
Companies merge to form qooop, Inc. on October 1
― Memory-Tech announced on Friday that its post-production firms Q-Tec and Pony Canyon Enterprises will merge into a new company called qooop, Inc. on October 1. Through the merge, qooop, Inc. will strive to improve its services and respond to an increasingly diversified business environment through business collaboration. Tomonori Furusako, current pr...
GiGO (Formerly Sega) Akihabara Arcade #4 to Close on September 25
Facility's lease contract expires
― GENDA GiGO Entertainment announced on Friday that GiGO (formerly Sega) Akihabara Arcade #4 will close on September 25 at 8:00 p.m. JST, as the facility's lease contract is expiring. Sega Akihabara Arcade #4 opened in September 2010. There were five GiGO Akihabara Arcades, though only three will remain following the closure of the fourth one. The occupancy rate of m...
Teikoku Databank: Record 39.8% of Anime Studios Were in the Red in 2021
Industry contracted for 2nd straight year for 1st time since at least 2000
― The financial research firm Teikoku Databank published on Friday a report on the anime industry in 2021. The report noted that 39.8% of the 309 anime production companies surveyed had incurred losses in 2021. The percentage is 0.9% higher than 2020, and is the highest ever in Teikoku Databank's records. The firm cited the dr...
Disney+ to Launch Tier With Ads on December 8, at Same Price as Current Ad-Free Plan
Ad-supported tier will be US$7.99 monthly, while ad-free tier rises to US$10.99
― The Disney+ streaming service will launch a paid ad-supported subscription tier that costs US$7.99 per month on December 8, while the ad-free tier increases its price to US$10.99. The current subscription costs US$7.99 without ads. The bundle with both Disney+ and Hulu at the ad-supported tier will cost US$9.99 in Decem...
How Kadokawa is Redefining the Anime Market (Updated)
Japanese publishing giant Kadokawa has its hands all over the manga, light novel, and anime industries. ANN sat down with the heads of Kadokawa's Anime Business Division to discuss its expanding ambitions in the anime sphere.
― Japanese publishing giant Kadokawa has its hands all over the manga, light novel, and anime industries. ANN CEO Chris Macdonald sat down with Kadokawa's Takeshi Kikuchi (CEO o...
Crunchyroll Expo 2022 - Behind the Scenes at Bones
"I want to drill home the point of how amazing and wonderful hand-drawn animation is, but I do have to say that it is incredibly hard and takes so much effort from our staff."
― In its over 20 year history, Bones studio has created animated series and films that have touched generations of viewers. Whether it's a classic like Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist, Eureka Seven, Vision of Escaflowne, or O...
Crunchyroll Purchases Anime Retailer Right Stuf
Right Stuf will continue to sell products from different companies
― Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that it has purchased anime retailer Right Stuf to expand its eCommerce service. The purchase will widen Crunchyroll's eCommerce product offering with extensions in home entertainment and manga categories. The companies did not disclose the terms of the deal. The Right Stuf website confirmed that it...
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RightStuf - Anime, Manga and More