Aniplex chief appointed next Sony Music CEO

Plus: Andreessen Horowitz leads anime AI companion investment; Toho is Fuji Media's largest shareholder again; Bandai Namco sees record 'Gundam' sales…

Feb 11 • Richardson Handjaja

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2

Counterfeit anime merchandise cause US$30b in damages

Plus: AI startup to speed up anime merchandise approvals; Aniplex acquires Egg Firm anime production planning company; Permanent ‘Sailor Moon’ stage…

Feb 4 • Richardson Handjaja

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2

2

January 2026

Sharp slowdown in Japan digital manga sales

Plus: Japan Foundation promotes anime films in Africa; Manga publishers recruit foreign artists; Wine manga's screen adaptation runs into legal barriers…

Jan 28 • Richardson Handjaja

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3

Direct distribution of anime films widens in North America

Plus: Edia ramps up anime production of light novels; MAPPA deepens Netflix partnership; AI manga translations undermine public interest in Japan; and…

Jan 21 • Richardson Handjaja

10

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1

Japan antitrust regulator highlights anime industry issues

Plus: Conglomerate invests in French anime co-producer; Light novel publisher TO Books set to IPO; Comici launches English-language manga reading…

Jan 14 • Richardson Handjaja

6

2

Link-U pursues AI-driven manga app development

Plus: Itochu invests in Taiwan e-commerce service popular with anime merchandise buyers; Magazine House grows manga business; Anime arcade machines at…

Jan 7 • Richardson Handjaja

6

2

December 2025

Toho buys UK anime distributor from Embracer

Plus: Overseas anime merchandise licensing contracts jump; Shifts in anime streaming subscription revenues; Genda and Bushiroad enter into an alliance…

Dec 24, 2025 • Richardson Handjaja

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New app store law benefits Japan's manga apps

Plus: Japan faces glut of secondhand anime merchandise; 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' ends China run amid political tensions; Toho touts vertical…

Dec 17, 2025 • Richardson Handjaja

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1

1

Dozens of anime at stake in Warner Bros. sale

Plus: Sony to issue stablecoins for anime, game payments; Japanese prime minister appeals to Saudi investors; Kadokawa dominates annual light novel…

Dec 10, 2025 • Richardson Handjaja

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1

1

Web novels, a growing source of anime stories, see rise in AI works

Plus: Mamoru Hosoda film underperforms in box office debut; Kadokawa buys Singapore anime festival organizer; Light anime boost small manga publishers…

Dec 3, 2025 • Richardson Handjaja

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November 2025

CyberAgent names head of anime as next CEO

Plus: Print manga decline reduces Japanese children's access to manga; Bandai Namco focuses on royalty income; Startup to launch English manga platform…

Nov 19, 2025 • Richardson Handjaja

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1

1

Kadokawa writes down Doga Kobo acquisition

Plus: Anime studio closures at highest level in 7 years; 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' sets sights on China; Web novel platform upstart targets…

Nov 12, 2025 • Richardson Handjaja

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