Aniplex

Aniplex, Inc.(Japanese: 株式会社アニプレックス, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Anipurekkusu) is a Japanese entertainment company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Founded in September 1995, the company is responsible for the plan, production, and distribution of anime series, which includes original works and those based on licensed intellectual properties (IPs). It also engages in related multimedia initiatives. The Aniplex name is a possible portmanteau of Anime and Complex.

Aniplex's operations encompass the development and distribution of theatrical films, video games, and merchandise associated with its media franchises. It also releases home media, produces original soundtracks, and organizes events such as musicals, stage performances, and promotional concerts. The company manages copyrights and licensing agreements, and operates an e-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 in Santa Monica, California, and Aniplex China, based in Shanghai. Together with its sister company Sony Pictures Entertainment, Aniplex co-owns Crunchyroll, LLC, which operates an eponymous direct-to-consumer (DTC) anime streaming service with 120 million registered users.

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

Aniplex is a member of Association of Japanese Animations (AJA), a regular member of the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA), a supporting member of the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), and a member of the Japan Video Software Association (JVA).

History

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

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

In 2004, Aniplex launched the Sugi Label in collaboration with composer Koichi Sugiyama, who is known for the Dragon Quest series soundtracks. The label was sold to King Records in 2009.

In March 2005, Aniplex established Aniplex of America, a subsidiary based in Santa Monica, California, to support licensing and distribution in English-speaking territories across North and South America. On May 9, 2005, the company founded A-1 Pictures, initially tasked with producing family-oriented series. A1 Pictures has since expanded to a broader range of animation projects.

On March 20, 2015, Aniplex and German distributor announced the establishment of Peppermint Anime GmbH, a joint venture aimed at expanding Japanese anime distribution in German-speaking countries. In April 2015, Aniplex also became the largest shareholder in French streaming service Wakanim, to strengthen its presence in Europe.

On January 6, 2017, Sony Music Entertainment Japan announced the launch of SACRA MUSIC, a new label specializing in anison music. On April 1, 2017, 14 artists transferred to SACRA MUSIC from other Sony Music Group labels, including Aniplex-affiliated artists LiSA, Kana Hanazawa, and TrySail. 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.

On September 4, 2017, Aniplex acquired a majority stake in figure manufacturer Revolve, which is involved in the planning, development, and production of figures, becoming its largest shareholder. 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.

In November 2017, Aniplex acquired a minority interest in Madman Anime Group and in February 2019, acquired the company entirely for A$35 million.

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

On April 2, 2018, group company A-1 Pictures announced that it had renamed its Kōenji Studio to CloverWorks, giving it a unique brand identity distinguishable from its Asagaya Studio. 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.

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. 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.

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

On September 24, 2019, as part of Sony's efforts to increase collaboration between its subsidiaries and strengthen its international anime distribution business, Aniplex and Sony Pictures Television announced the consolidation of their anime streaming services Funimation, Wakanim, and Madman Anime Group under Funimation Global Group, LLC., a new joint venture led by Funimation's general manager, Colin Decker. Aniplex held a 20% stake in Funimation Global Group. In 2020, through Funimation/Aniplex, Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan bought Crunchyroll from AT&T.

On December 26, 2019, Aniplex announced the launch of a new visual novel brand named ANIPLEX.EXE. ATRI: My Dear Moments, developed by Frontwing and Makura(枕), and Adabana Odd Tales(徒花異譚, Adabana Itan), developed by Liar-soft were the brand's first two revealed titles. Both games support English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese language options. 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.

On April 1, 2020, Aniplex established Boundary, a 3DCG animation production company. CloverWorks president Akira Shimizu was appointed the studio's president and representative director. Since its inception, Boundary has been mainly involved in the CG production of CloverWorks projects.

On February 1, 2021, Aniplex announced a capital tie-up with f4samurai, the developer of Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story and Disney: Twisted-Wonderland, allowing Aniplex to strengthen its relationship with the studio and further enhance and expand its gaming business.

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

On May 30, 2022, Aniplex, its subsidiary, CloverWorks, WIT Studio, and Shueisha 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 of Spy × Family, a collaboration between their respective studios, were appointed representative directors of JOEN.

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.

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

On February 2, 2026, Aniplex announced the acquisition of Japanese production firm, Egg Firm as a wholly owned subsidiary.

Aniplex Online Fest

Aniplex held its first Aniplex Online Fest on July 4–5, 2020, to celebrate its anime projects, panels with staff and cast members, and musical performances. Sally Amaki of 22/7 (Nanabun no Nijūni) served as emcee for the English version, streaming worldwide on YouTube. A Chinese podcast was available on Bilibili.

After the inaugural event, which garnered over 800,000 global views, Aniplex announced the return of Aniplex Online Fest on July 3, 2021. The 2021 lineup included updates on Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night, and Fate/Grand Order with musical performances by Aimer, ClariS, LiSA, ReoNa, and SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]. Sally Amaki returned to host the show alongside Maxwell Powers.

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

Anime productions

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

TV shows

Films

OVAs / Specials / ONAs

Live-action productions

Aniplex entered the live-action field after acquiring Origamix Partners in 2023 and reorganizing it as Myriagon Studio. Their first launch, Kokuho (2025), became a notable success, becoming the highest-grossing live-action film in Japan.

Published games

External links

• (in Japanese)
• at Anime News Network's encyclopedia