KADOKAWA Unveils bold Strategies to Revolutionize Anime Production
In a recent interview with Mainichi Shimbun, Takeshi Kikuchi, the anime director of KADOKAWA,revealed the company’s ambitious plans to address the growing challenges of the anime industry. Known for producing hit series like Re:Zero, Oshi no Ko, the Eminence in Shadow, and Classroom of the Elite, KADOKAWA is shifting its focus toward sustainability and stability in anime production.
Kikuchi emphasized that simply increasing the number of productions is no longer a viable strategy. «Rather of increasing projects, we should focus on creative ideas such as producing more sequels to successful series or increasing the number of episodes per season», he explained. This approach aims to maximize profitability while maintaining quality.
Expanding Internal Studios and Centralizing Contracts
One of the cornerstones of KADOKAWA’s strategy is the expansion of its internal studios. The company currently holds meaningful stakes in studios like ENGI (53%), KADAN, Kinema Citrus (31.8%), and Doga Kobo.Kikuchi noted that projects are assigned based on each studio’s unique strengths,and the company plans to open more studios in the future to diversify its production capabilities.
Additionally, KADOKAWA is developing a centralized contract system, set to launch in 2025.This system aims to streamline the management of freelancers, who play a critical role in anime production. Kikuchi stressed the importance of improving working conditions and providing clear career paths for animators and voice actors. «We want animators to be able to plan thier lives with greater stability», he stated.
Accelerating Production and Global localization
KADOKAWA is also focusing on aligning anime adaptations with the endings of their original works, as seen with Oshi no Ko. The company aims to accelerate production schedules to ensure timely international releases. Kikuchi warned, «If a series is not subtitled soon after its premiere in Japan, audiences will turn to fansubs on piracy sites». This strategy underscores the importance of global localization in combating piracy and maximizing revenue.
Potential Challenges and Industry Implications
While KADOKAWA’s strategies offer promising solutions, they are not without risks. Prioritizing sequels could limit originality in adaptations and pressure publishers to promote works designed for long seasons. Moreover, the industry’s already tight production schedules could face further strain if longer projects are not meticulously planned.
Yuichi fukushima,producer of acclaimed titles like Spy x Family and Attack on Titan,recently highlighted the challenges of producing two-course series. This trend toward longer productions could lead to potential risks of collapse if not managed effectively.
Key Takeaways
| Strategy | Details | Potential Impact |
|———————————-|—————————————————————————–|————————————————————————————-|
| Focus on Sequels | Prioritize sequels and longer seasons for successful series | Increased profitability but potential loss of originality |
| Expand Internal Studios | Open new studios and leverage existing ones like ENGI and Kinema Citrus | Diversified production capabilities and improved project management |
| Centralized Contract System | Streamline freelancer management and improve working conditions | Greater stability for animators and voice actors |
| Accelerate Global Localization | Align adaptations with original works and speed up international releases | reduced piracy and enhanced global reach |
As KADOKAWA implements these strategies, its success or failure could set a precedent for other major players in the anime industry. The company’s innovative approach reflects a commitment to addressing systemic challenges while paving the way for a more sustainable future in anime production.
For more insights into KADOKAWA’s plans, read the full interview on Mainichi Shimbun.
KADOKAWA’s bold Strategies: A Deep Dive into Anime Production Innovation
In a recent interview with Mainichi Shimbun, Takeshi Kikuchi, the anime director of KADOKAWA, unveiled the company’s ambitious plans to address the growing challenges of the anime industry.Known for producing hit series like Re:Zero, Oshi no Ko, The Eminence in Shadow, and Classroom of the Elite, KADOKAWA is shifting its focus toward sustainability and stability in anime production. To explore these strategies further, we sat down with Dr. Haruto Nakamura, a leading expert in anime industry trends and production management, for an exclusive interview.
Expanding Internal studios and Centralizing Contracts
Senior Editor: Dr. Nakamura, KADOKAWA is expanding its internal studios and developing a centralized contract system. What are your thoughts on these initiatives?
Dr. Haruto Nakamura: KADOKAWA’s approach is both strategic and necessary. By expanding internal studios like ENGI, Kinema Citrus, and Doga Kobo, the company is diversifying its production capabilities. This allows them to assign projects based on each studio’s unique strengths, which can lead to higher-quality outputs. The centralized contract system, set to launch in 2025, is especially promising. It aims to streamline freelancer management, which is crucial given the critical role freelancers play in anime production. Improving working conditions and providing clear career paths for animators and voice actors is a step in the right direction for industry sustainability.
Senior Editor: How do you see this impacting the broader anime industry?
Dr. Haruto Nakamura: If triumphant, KADOKAWA’s model could set a precedent for other companies.The centralized contract system could lead to greater stability for freelancers, reducing burnout and turnover rates.This, in turn, could improve overall production quality and timelines.though, the challenge will be in implementation—ensuring that the system is flexible enough to accommodate the diverse needs of freelancers while maintaining efficiency.
Accelerating Production and Global Localization
Senior Editor: KADOKAWA is also focusing on accelerating production schedules and global localization. How meaningful is this move?
Dr.Haruto nakamura: Accelerating production schedules is crucial,especially in today’s global market. As Kikuchi mentioned, if a series isn’t subtitled soon after its premiere in Japan, audiences will turn to piracy sites. By aligning anime adaptations with the endings of thier original works and speeding up international releases, KADOKAWA can combat piracy and maximize revenue. This strategy also enhances the global reach of their content, making it more accessible to international audiences.
Senior editor: what are the potential risks of this approach?
Dr. Haruto Nakamura: The main risk is the strain on production schedules. Accelerating timelines without compromising quality requires meticulous planning and resources. There’s also the challenge of maintaining the integrity of the original works while adapting them for a global audience. if not managed carefully, this could lead to rushed productions and a decline in quality, which would ultimately harm the brand.
Potential Challenges and Industry implications
Senior Editor: KADOKAWA’s focus on sequels and longer seasons could limit originality. What’s your take on this?
Dr. Haruto Nakamura: While prioritizing sequels and longer seasons can be profitable, it does come with the risk of stifling creativity. The industry thrives on innovation, and if publishers feel pressured to promote works designed for long seasons, we could see a decline in original content. Though, if KADOKAWA can balance sequels with new, innovative projects, they can mitigate this risk. It’s all about finding the right mix.
Senior Editor: What about the trend toward longer productions? Could this lead to potential risks of collapse?
Dr. Haruto Nakamura: Absolutely. As Yuichi fukushima, producer of Spy x Family and Attack on titan, pointed out, producing two-course series is already challenging. Longer productions require even more resources and planning. If not managed effectively, this could lead to burnout among staff and potential project collapses.The key is to ensure that longer productions are well-planned and adequately resourced.
Key Takeaways
Senior Editor: To wrap up, what are the key takeaways from KADOKAWA’s strategies?
Dr. Haruto Nakamura: KADOKAWA’s strategies are bold and forward-thinking. Expanding internal studios and centralizing contracts can improve production quality and stability. Accelerating global localization can enhance revenue and combat piracy. Though, the focus on sequels and longer seasons must be balanced with original content to maintain creativity. If implemented effectively, these strategies could set a new standard for the anime industry, paving the way for a more enduring future.
For more insights into KADOKAWA’s plans, read the full interview on Mainichi Shimbun.