Aniplex, Inc.

Logo used since 2003[1]
Aniplex's headquarters at the SME Rokubanchō Building inChiyoda, Tokyo
Native name	株式会社アニプレックス
Romanized name	Kabushiki-gaisha Anipurekkusu
Formerly	Sony Pictures Entertainment Music Publishing Inc. (1995–1997) Sony Pictures Entertainment Visual Works Inc. (1997–2001) Sony Music Entertainment Visual Works Inc. (2001–2003)[2]
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	September 1995; 30 years ago (1995-09)[1]
Headquarters	Rokubanchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo , Japan
Key people	Atsuhiro Iwakami (president &CEO) Tomonori Ochikoshi (senior executive vice president) Hiroyuki Shimizu (executive vice president) Masanori Miyake (executive vice president)[1]
Products	Anime Motion pictures Video games Soundtracks Merchandise Figures Toys Stationery
Revenue	¥145,832 million (FY24)
Operating income	¥24,098 million (FY24)
Total assets	¥164,826 million (FY24)
Number of employees	300[1] (June 16, 2023)
Parent	Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan (1995–2001) Sony Music Entertainment Japan (1997–present)
Divisions	Aniplex.exe
Subsidiaries	A-1 Pictures Aniplex of America Aniplex Shanghai Boundary Claynel CloverWorks Crunchyroll, LLC(joint venture withSony Pictures) Hayate Inc.(joint venture with Crunchyroll, LLC) Lasengle Live2D Myriagon Studio Palworld Entertainment Peppermint Anime GmbH(joint venture with Peppermint Enterprises)
Website	www.aniplex.co.jp

Aniplex, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社アニプレックス,Hepburn:Kabushiki-gaisha Anipurekkusu) is a Japanese entertainment company wholly owned subsidiary ofSony Music Entertainment Japan. Founded in September 1995, the company is responsible for planning, producing, and distributinganime series, including original works and those based on licensedintellectual properties (IPs). It also engages in relatedmultimedia initiatives.^[1]

Aniplex's operations encompass the development and distribution oftheatrical films,video games, andmerchandise associated with itsmedia franchises. It also releaseshome media, produces originalsoundtracks, and organizes events such asmusicals, stage performances, and promotional concerts. The company managescopyrights andlicensing agreements, and operates ane-commerce platform,Aniplex Online, through which it sells products directly to consumers.

While Aniplex operates globally, it maintains two main regional branches:Aniplex of America, headquartered inSanta Monica, California, and Aniplex China, based inShanghai. Together with its sister companySony Pictures, Aniplex co-ownsCrunchyroll, LLC, which operates aneponymousdirect-to-consumer (DTC) animestreaming service with 120 million registered users.^[3]

Aniplex has produced numerous notable anime series such asFullmetal Alchemist,Gurren Lagann,Monogatari Series,Puella Magi Madoka Magica,Fate Series,Sword Art Online andDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. It also operates and publishes the mobile gameFate/Grand Order.

Aniplex is a member ofAssociation of Japanese Animations (AJA),^[4] a regular member of theComputer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA),^[5] a supporting member of theRecording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ),^[6] and a member of the Japan Video Software Association (JVA).^[7]

Aniplex was established in September 1995 as a subsidiary ofSony Pictures Entertainment Japan under the name SPE Music Publishing.^[2] In January 1997, following an investment made bySony Music Entertainment Japan, it was renamed SPE Visual Works.^[2] In January 1998, it became a joint venture between SPEJ and SMEJ, inheritingSony Music Group video productions, with the exception of SMEJ artists' music videos.^[2]

On January 1, 2001, the company became a wholly owned subsidiary ofSony Music Entertainment Japan and adopted the name SME Visual Works.^[2] It rebranded as Aniplex on April 1, 2003, a name derived from the concept of "a complex of rights business derived from animation."^[2][8]

In 2004, Aniplex launched the Sugi Label in collaboration with composerKoichi Sugiyama, who is known for theDragon Quest series soundtracks.^[9] The label was sold toKing Records in 2009.

In March 2005, Aniplex establishedAniplex of America, a subsidiary based inSanta Monica, California, to support licensing and distribution in English-speaking territories across North andSouth America.^[2] On May 9, 2005, the company foundedA-1 Pictures,^[2] initially tasked with producing family-oriented series. A1 Pictures has since expanded to a broader range of animation projects.

On March 20, 2015, Aniplex andGerman distributorPeppermint Enterprises announced the establishment of Peppermint Anime GmbH, a joint venture aimed at expanding Japanese anime distribution in German-speaking countries.^[10][11] In April 2015, Aniplex also became the largest shareholder in French streaming serviceWakanim,^[12][13] to strengthen its presence in Europe.^[12]

On January 6, 2017, Sony Music Entertainment Japan announced the launch ofSACRA MUSIC, a new label specializing inanison music. On April 1, 2017, 14 artists transferred to SACRA MUSIC from other Sony Music Group labels, including Aniplex-affiliated artistsLiSA,Kana Hanazawa, andTrySail.^[14][15] In collaboration with Aniplex, SACRA MUSIC aims to strengthen its overseas expansion efforts and promote its artists' activities on a global scale by participating in events and holding overseas concerts.^[14][15]

On September 4, 2017, Aniplex acquired a majority stake in figure manufacturer Revolve, which is involved in the planning, development, and production offigures, becoming its largest shareholder.^[16][17] Through this investment, Aniplex intends to strengthen its ties with Revolve and expand its merchandising business. By enhancing the collaboration between its product planning division and Revolve, it aims to strengthen its figure product lineup and further speed up the process from planning to manufacturing and commercialization.^[16][18]

In November 2017, Aniplex acquired a minority interest inMadman Anime Group^[19] and in February 2019, acquired the company entirely forA$35 million.^[20][21]

On March 28, 2018, Aniplex announced a business and capital alliance withLive2D, the developer of the popular software of the same name, acquiring a majority stake in the company.^[22][23][24] Live 2D, which dynamically moves pictures drawn in 2D, is widely used in various applications, such as mobile games andVTubing.^[23] Following the investment, the two companies intend to collaborate to produce feature-length animated films using Live2D's technology.^[22][23][24]

On April 2, 2018, group companyA-1 Pictures announced that it had renamed its Kōenji Studio toCloverWorks, giving it a unique brand identity distinguishable from its Asagaya Studio.^[25][26] On October 1, 2018, CloverWorks was spun off into a separate independent company, making it a direct subsidiary of Aniplex. Aniplex producer Akira Shimizu was appointed president and representative director, while Yūichi Fukushima was appointed Corporate Officer.^[27][28]

On November 1, 2018, Aniplex announced that it had established Rialto Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary responsible for independent video production and license management, on October 1.^[29][30] Aniplex's deputy president, Tadashi Ishibashi, was appointed representative director and chairman of the company, and veteran producer Eiichi Kamagata was named president. He served as president and representative director of Lucent Pictures Entertainment before assuming his new role at Rialto.^[30]

On April 19, 2019, Aniplex announced the establishment of aChinese subsidiary, Aniplex (Shanghai), with full-scale operations scheduled to begin on May 7.^[31][32] Besides licensing its properties, the company intends to establish a storefront, develop local IP, and produce and release Chinese animation within the region.^[32]

On September 24, 2019, as part ofSony's efforts to increase collaboration between its subsidiaries and strengthen its international anime distribution business,^[33] Aniplex andSony Pictures Television announced the consolidation of their anime streaming servicesFunimation,Wakanim, andMadman Anime Group underFunimation Global Group, LLC., a new joint venture led by Funimation's general manager, Colin Decker.^[34][35] Aniplex held a 20% stake in Funimation Global Group.^[36] In 2020, throughFunimation/Aniplex, Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan boughtCrunchyroll fromAT&T.^[37][38]

On December 26, 2019, Aniplex announced the launch of a new visual novel brand named ANIPLEX.EXE.ATRI: My Dear Moments, developed byFrontwing and Makura (枕), andAdabana Odd Tales (徒花異譚,Adabana Itan), developed by Liar-soft were the brand's first two revealed titles. Both games supportEnglish,Japanese,Simplified Chinese, andTraditional Chinese language options.^[39][40] The two games were released on June 19, 2020, on PC via Steam worldwide and via DMM Games in Japan. Their cumulative sales have exceeded 100,000 copies as of June 19, 2021.^[41]

On April 1, 2020, Aniplex established Boundary, a3DCG animation production company. CloverWorks president Akira Shimizu was appointed the studio's president and representative director.^[42][43] Since its inception, Boundary has been mainly involved in the CG production of CloverWorks projects.^[44]

On February 1, 2021, Aniplex announced a capital tie-up with f4samurai, the developer ofMagia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story andDisney: Twisted-Wonderland, allowing Aniplex to strengthen its relationship with the studio and further enhance and expand its gaming business.^[45][46][47]

On December 15, 2021, Aniplex announced a share transfer agreement to acquire Delightworks' game development division for an undisclosed sum.^[48][49][50] On December 28, 2021, a new company, Lasengle, was established through a corporate split and inherited the gaming business of Delightworks, including theFate/Grand Order development team.^[51] On February 1, 2022, Aniplex completed the acquisition per the share transfer agreement.Yoshinori Ono, previously president andchief operating officer of Delightworks, was appointed president andrepresentative director of Lasengle. Aniplex's CEO, Atsuhiro Iwakami, would serve as the company chairman.^[52][53] Yosuke Shiokawa, the creative producer behindFate/Grand Order, left Delightworks and Lasengle at the end of January 2022, establishing his studio Fahrenheit 213 to work on a new original franchise.^[54]

On May 30, 2022, Aniplex, its subsidiary, CloverWorks,WIT Studio, andShueisha announced the establishment of JOEN, a joint venture in the production of animated TV series, feature films, and short clips. CloverWorks' Corporate Officer Yūichi Fukushima and WIT Studio Director Tetsuya Nakatake, producers of the adaptation ofSpy × Family, a collaboration between their respective studios, were appointed representative directors of JOEN.^[55][56][57]

On February 10, 2023, Aniplex announced that its subsidiary Revolve will change its name to Claynel (株式会社クレーネル), effective April 1. Through rebranding, the company intends to expand beyond the planning and production of figures into the sales and distribution of its product line.^[58]

On May 31, 2023, Aniplex announced the acquisition of Japanese talent management firm Origamix Partners for an undisclosed sum, renaming it to Myragion Studio on June 1. The company intends to expand the scope of its operations by developing and producingLive-action projects for worldwide audiences with creators as the core, in addition to its existingfilm directors andscreenwriters' management and IP development businesses.^[59][60][61] Additionally, Myragion revealed a strategic partnership withSouth Korean production outfit Imaginus, established by Jinnie Choi, former CEO ofStudio Dragon. Choi will serve as Executive Advisor to Myriagon Studio to jointly build a strong Asian premium production network.^[59][61]

Aniplex held their first Aniplex Online Fest on July 4–5, 2020,^[62] to celebrate its anime projects, panels with staff and cast members, and musical performances.Sally Amaki of22/7 (Nanabun no Nijūni) served as emcee for the English version, streaming worldwide onYouTube. A Chinese podcast was available onBilibili.^[63][64][65]

After the inaugural event, which garnered over 800,000 global views, Aniplex announced the return of Aniplex Online Fest on July 3, 2021.^[66] The 2021 lineup included updates onDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night, andFate/Grand Order with musical performances byAimer,ClariS,LiSA,ReoNa, andSawanoHiroyuki[nZk].^[67] Sally Amaki returned to host the show alongsideMaxwell Powers.^[68][69][70]

On September 9, 2023, Aniplex announced the return of Aniplex Online Fest. The participating lineup includedATRI – My Dear Moments,Black Butler,UniteUp!,Solo Leveling,Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story,Mashle: Magic and Muscles with voice cast membersHikaru Akao,Kaito Ishikawa,Reiji Kawashima,Tomori Kusunoki,Yurika Kubo,Chiaki Kobayashi, andSoma Saito alongside MC&DJSally Amaki, Yoshida, and DJ Kazu.^[62][71]

Aniplex has been involved in the production and distribution of the following anime series.