Publisher Kadokawa Acquires Choubunsha

by Dunois
Dec 29, 2013 10:31 AM | 14 Comments

Japanese publisher Kadokawa has announced in a press release that it has acquired 100% of fellow publisher Choubunsha's stocks. Choubunsha primarily publishes material for school libraries. The acquisition was completed on December 26, 2013, and the stocks were acquired for an undisclosed amount. This is the latest event in a series of consolidations and acquisitions in the Japanese publishing industry. Choubunsha is best known for publishing the manga Hadashi no Gen.

Source: Kadokawa Press Release

14 Comments Recent Comments

jmal said:

kuuderes_shadow said:
In the Japanese publishing industry as a whole they are still relatively small fry compared to Kodansha, Shueisha or Shogakukan. They're not even close to creating a monopoly.

They do however have a fairly unhealthy percentage of the otaku-focused LN market, which is what's relevant to us.0

there 3rd biggest to my knowing shoseki are by far the biggest Ask beging 2nd the other three he listted being the other being loger

Dec 30, 2013 12:31 PM by DateYutaka

I really wish Kadokawa would release some localized english light novels seeing most of their light novels are known and famous worldwide.

Dec 30, 2013 9:05 AM by DeAnimation

Xinception said:
Well, at this rate, Kadokawa might as we'll acquire all the small companies :P.

Let's see what they have now:

Yotsubato!
Suzumiya Haruhi
A Certain series (and Heavy Object, if that becomes a bit as well. Wow, Kazuma is on fire!)
OreImo and the oedophile-face author's new series EroImo.
Non Non Biyori and other Media Factory series
KanColle
Hataraku!
Durarara!!!
DxD, Date A Live and other Fumiji Shobo series
Nichijou, Lucky Star and other Kadokawa Shoten series
Sword Art Online
Mahouka Koko no Rettosei
Baccano!, Black Bullet and other ASCII light novels
Sakamoto, Log Horizon and other Enterbrain series

Wow, these dudes might be richer than Shueisha, Kodansha or Shokugansha.

That's a really smart move of them some of those anime were really a big hit.

Dec 30, 2013 6:31 AM by Mr_Gutts

there stil only 3 biggest in Japan behind ASK and Tokyo Shoseki as has been as aans always will be

Dec 30, 2013 1:31 AM by DateYutaka

Y'know, Kadokawa might even buy Kyoto Animation and Softbank someday because both companies have their own light novel publishing label. Heck, they might even acquire Overlap too!

Dec 30, 2013 1:19 AM by Bayonette

Hoppy said:
I have mixed feelings on how they are monopolizing the publishing industry

Takeovers and mergers happen all the time in the publishing industry.

In the Japanese publishing industry as a whole they are still relatively small fry compared to Kodansha, Shueisha or Shogakukan. They're not even close to creating a monopoly.

Dec 30, 2013 12:17 AM by kuuderes_shadow

Interesting, hope to see more news like this.

Dec 29, 2013 4:29 PM by Vene

Kadokawa hostile takeover, I have mixed feelings on how they are monopolizing the publishing industry, I'm more positive towards the gaming division they have though (they are releasing Kancolle on Vita and I'm following several other games from them that they are releasing).

Dec 29, 2013 1:24 PM by Hoppy

TerrorH3ctor said:
I honestly thought Kodansha acquired the Shobunsha firm. I don't know if I misread something since I'm a management major, not financial so I don't know if acquiring stocks is the same as acquiring a company.

I realized that I had mixed up the firm names only after I read your post.

To clarify, Kadokawa acquired Choubunsha and not Shobunsha. I'm very sorry for the mix-up.

Dec 29, 2013 12:28 PM by Dunois

sevenPocky said:
wow.. kadokawa's going way beyond! good for them :)

Yup, good for them ^_^

I really want to have my own company :3

Dec 29, 2013 11:29 AM by Tengai

I honestly thought Kodansha acquired the Shobunsha firm. I don't know if I misread something since I'm a management major, not financial so I don't know if acquiring stocks is the same as acquiring a company.

Dec 29, 2013 11:11 AM by TerrorH3ctor

This is pretty interesting, I look forward to hearing more news like this through MAL. :)

Dec 29, 2013 10:59 AM by Snakes

Well, at this rate, Kadokawa might as we'll acquire all the small companies :P.

Let's see what they have now:

Yotsubato!
Suzumiya Haruhi
A Certain series (and Heavy Object, if that becomes a bit as well. Wow, Kazuma is on fire!)
OreImo and the oedophile-face author's new series EroImo.
Non Non Biyori and other Media Factory series
KanColle
Hataraku!
Durarara!!!
DxD, Date A Live and other Fumiji Shobo series
Nichijou, Lucky Star and other Kadokawa Shoten series
Sword Art Online
Mahouka Koko no Rettosei
Baccano!, Black Bullet and other ASCII light novels
Sakamoto, Log Horizon and other Enterbrain series