Phoenix Gramedia Indonesia focuses on light novels and niche comics
Joint venture between Japan's Kadokawa Corporation and Indonesia's Kompas Gramedia Group sets sights beyond publishing and into merchandising
This is a feature story from Animenomics, covering the business of anime and manga. Today’s story is written by Jakarta-based correspondent Yohana Belinda.
Kadokawa Corporation’s Indonesian joint venture is set to expand its reach by translating more Japanese manga and light novel titles. Beyond that, the prospect of publishing original local stories also looms on the horizon, raising the question of whether this could be the spark that propels Indonesia’s comic scene to new heights.
Indonesia has long embraced Japanese pop culture, with generations of Indonesians growing up watching anime on Sunday mornings on local TV stations. Many eagerly anticipated the arrival of their favorite manga, waiting for translated editions to appear on bookstore shelves. Yet, despite this deep-rooted enthusiasm, the availability of niche titles catering to devoted anime and manga enthusiasts, often referred to as ‘otaku’, remains limited.
Last year in January, Kadokawa and local publishing conglomerate Kompas Gramedia Group announced a strategic joint venture, forming Phoenix Gramedia Indonesia, in which the Japanese publishing giant owns a 51 percent share. This collaboration aims to bring a new wave of licensed light novels to Indonesian readers, including standout titles like Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian and many more, signaling a fresh chapter in the nation’s literary engagement with Japanese pop culture.
Phoenix Gramedia Indonesia General Manager Yu Miyoshi noted that Kompas Gramedia’s longstanding expertise in the publishing industry was a key factor in Kadokawa’s decision to entrust them with this joint venture.
“Gramedia has a fully integrated value chain, covering everything from publishing and printing to distribution and retail,” he told Animenomics last month.
Phoenix Gramedia Indonesia aims to diversify its offerings by publishing titles that venture beyond mainstream appeal. Miyoshi noted significant untapped potential in the light novel reader market, which the publisher aims to capture. The focus includes works cherished by otaku readers.
“We want to make PGI a top ACG [animation, comics, and games] content provider in Indonesia in the medium to long term. With its growing population and expanding economy, we see Indonesia becoming one of the biggest ACG markets in Southeast Asia,” he shared.
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