Kadokawa Enters Agreement to Acquire Italian Manga/Novel Publisher Edizioni BD/J-Pop Manga
Kadokawa announced on Monday that it has made an agreement with Italian manga and light novel publisher Edizioni BD S.r.l (also known as J-Pop Manga) to acquire 70% of the shares and made it a subsidiary. The acquisition is not yet complete. Following the acquisition, Edizioni BD President and CEO Marco Schiavone would own 20% of shares, and distributor Messaggerie Libri would have 10%.Through acquiring Edizioni BD - which is based in Milan, Italy - Kadokawa aims to translate and publish manga, light novels, and related titles. The company plans to expand its presence throughout Europe with its overseas collaborations. Kadokawa's business strategy is to promote a "Global Media Mix with Technology."Edizioni BD (J-Pop Manga) publishes about 500 manga and light novels in Italian. The company has introduced new book designs in the country with covers and wraparound jacket bands similar to Japan's compiled book volumes.Kadokawa recently acquired Chiptune, a studio which specializes in CG animation and compositing/photography, as a subsidiary on February 17. The company cited the acquisition as part of its three-year management plan to expand and maintain its diverse portfolio of IPs by increasing production capability across multiple media formats.Kadokawa acquired anime studio Dōga Kōbō in July 2024. Kadokawa's anime studios now include Dōga Kōbō, ENGI, Studio KADAN, Raging Bull, Chiptune, and the newly formed BELLNOX FILMS, as well as the affiliated companies Kinema Citrus and Studio Chizu.Sony became Kadokawa's largest shareholder, holding approximately 10% of its shares, as of January 7. Sony's announcement stated the two companies will discuss specific collaborative initiatives, including "initiatives to adapt KADOKAWA's IP into live-action films and TV dramas globally, co-produce anime works, expand global distribution of KADOKAWA's anime works through the Sony Group, further expand publishing of KADOKAWA's games, and develop human resources to promote and expand virtual production."Kadokawa previously stated it plans to use 20 billion yen from January 2025 to March 2030 for "creating, developing, and acquiring new IP." The company plans to use the other 29.7 billion yen from January 2025 to March 2030 on "enhancement of global IP distribution."Source: Kadokawa
