Wikipedia

Kadokawa Corporation

(Redirected fromKadokawa Dwango)
"KADOKAWA" redirects here. For other uses, seeKadokawa (disambiguation).

Kadokawa Corporation(Japanese:Kabushiki gaisha KADOKAWA,Hepburn:Kabushiki-gaisha Kadokawa),formerlyKadokawa Dwango Corporation,[3]is a Japanese media conglomerate that was created as a result of themergerof the original Kadokawa Corporation andDwango Co., Ltd.on October 1, 2014.[4][5]

Kadokawa Corporation
Native name
Kabushiki gaisha KADOKAWA
Kabushiki gaisha KADOKAWA
FormerlyKadokawa Dwango Corporation (2014–2019)
Company typePublic
TYO:9468
Industry
Founded
  • November 10, 1945;79 years ago(1945-11-10)(asKadokawa Shoten)
  • June 6, 1997;27 years ago(1997-06-06)(asDwango)
  • October 1, 2014;10 years ago(2014-10-01)(as Kadokawa Dwango Corporation)
FounderGenyoshi Kadokawa (for theKadokawa Shotenbranch)
HeadquartersFujimi, Chiyoda, Tokyo,
Japan
Area served
Global
Key people
Takeshi Natsuno (president)
RevenueIncrease¥258,109 million[1](2024)
Decrease¥18,454 million[1](2024)
Total assetsDecrease¥340,310 million[1](2024)
Number of employees
5,349[2]
Websitegroup.kadokawa.co.jp/global/
Kadokawa SakuraTown Complex inTokorozawa, Saitama

History

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The holding company known today as Kadokawa Corporation was originally founded in 1945 asKadokawa Shoten,to "revitalize Japanese culture through publishing" in the postwar era.[6]It was merged withDwango Co., Ltd.to form Kadokawa Dwango on October 1, 2014, and became a subsidiary of Kadokawa Dwango.

In February 2019, Kadokawa Dwango announced that Dwango would stop being their subsidiary to be a direct subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation in a reorganization of the company. This made Kadokawa Corporation the sole subsidiary of the holding company Kadokawa Dwango.[7]

On July 1, 2019, Kadokawa Dwango was reorganized again;[8]only the publishing business remained in Kadokawa Corporation, and it was renamedKadokawa Future Publishing,while Kadokawa Dwango itself became the second iteration of Kadokawa Corporation and the holding company of all of the Kadokawa Group companies. The original nameKadokawa Shotenremains as a brand and a division of Kadokawa Future Publishing.

On February 4, 2021, Kadokawa announced that the company had formed a Capital Alliance withSonyandCyberAgentto strengthen the company's creation, development, and acquisition of new IP while also maximizing use of existing IPs. As part of the agreement, both Sony and CyberAgent would receive a 1.93% stake in the company.[9]

By August 2021,Kakao Japanhad acquired an 8.3 percent stake in Kadokawa, making them the largest shareholder.[10]On October 29, 2021, Kadokawa announced that it had formed a capital and business alliance withTencent,which acquired a 6.86% stake in the conglomerate for ¥30 billion ($264 million). The aim of the alliance is for Kadokawa to expand its global reach using Tencent's platforms. China, where the company has an existing joint venture with Tencent, is a particular target.[11]

In July 2024, the company announced that it had acquired anime studioDoga Kobo.[12]

Reutersreported in November 2024 that the entertainment and electronics giantSonywas in talks to acquire Kadokawa.[13]Sony had previously discussed acquiring Kadokawa, but Kadokawa demanded Sony acquire the entire company, while Sony only wanted Kadokawa's anime and video game assets.[14]

Arrest of chairman

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Main article:Concerns and controversies at the 2020 Summer Olympics § Olympic sponsorship contract scandals

In September 2022 chairman Tsuguhiko Kadokawa—son of founder Genyoshi—was arrested as part of a police investigation intobribery.Prosecutors alleged that the Kadokawa chairman authorized a ¥76 million payment (adjusted to ¥69 million under Japan'sstatute of limitations) to a consulting company with ties to a former executive of theTokyo Olympics organizing committeein exchange for being selected as an official sponsor of the2020 Tokyo OlympicandParalympic Games.Kadokawa has denied the allegations, and his company announced that it would cooperate with the investigation.[15]Kadokawa wasindictedbyprosecutorson October 4, 2022. Later that day he announced his intent to resign as the chairman of his company. He continued to deny the allegations and vowed to prove his innocence at trial.[16]

2024 ransomware attack

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Main article:2024 cyberattack on Kadokawa and Niconico

On June 8, 2024, a group of hackers called BlackSuit launched aransomwareattack on multiple websites owned by Kadokawa, including the video streaming websiteNiconico,resulting in most of its services being temporarily suspended. On June 27, the hacker group published a statement on thedark web,claiming responsibility for the attack and threatening to release 1.5terabytesof stolen data, which included business partner information and user data, unless a ransom was paid.[17][18]

Group companies

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Kadokawa Corporation serves to bring together several affiliated Japanese companies related to Kadokawa Shoten under what is known as the Kadokawa Group.[19]These companies are of three types: publishing, film and visuals, and cross media. The publishers primarily deal withbooks,bunkobonpaperbacks,manga,and visual media magazines;[20]the film and visual companies deal with Japanese feature films and DVD sales of international films andanime;[21]the cross media companies deal with digital content, urban information and television program information magazines, along with information transmission combining paper media, theInternet,andmobile phones.[22]Other aspects of the group are handled by the other business segment which primarily takes care ofvideo games,real estateleasing, and comprises anadvertising agency.[23]

Technology

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Main article:Pixel Game Maker MV

Former subsidiaries

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  • Asmik Ace
  • Daihyakka News: Merged with Dwango in July 2019.
  • Kadokawa Entertainment: On November 1, 2009, Kadokawa Entertainment was merged into Kadokawa Pictures.
  • Kadokawa Group Publishing: On April 1, 2013, Kadokawa Group Publishing was merged into Kadokawa Group Holdings.
  • Kadokawa Games: In May 2022, Kadokawa Games divested its business into a separate company called Dragami Games, including its IPs.[32]
  • Kadokawa J:COM Media: Established in November 2005 as a joint venture between Kadokawa Shoten andJ:COM.[33]It was eliminated in June 2010.
  • So-net Kadokawa Link: Established on June 27, 2007, withSo-net Entertainment(43.5%), Kadokawa Mobile (43.5%), andDentsu E-link[34](13.0%).[35]
  • Kadokawa Mobile and Movie Gate: On October 1, 2009, Kadokawa Mobile merged with Movie Gate to form Kadokawa Contents Gate.[36]
  • Kadokawa Production: On October 1, 2013, the company was dissolved and integrated into Kadokawa Corporation.
  • Mages:On July 12, 2019, Mages was acquired byChiyomaru Studio,a concept and copyright company also headed by Mages CEO.[37]
  • MediaLeaves: On January 10, 2010, MediaLeaves was merged into Enterbrain.[38]
  • NTT Prime Square: On November 30, 2010, Fan service ended a joint venture withNTT.
  • Sarugakucho: Became part of Kadokawa Group Holdings under Enterbrain during theASCIIacquisition. On March 31, 2010, Pole To Win announced that it has acquired Sarugakucho.[39]
  • Studio Lide: Closed in April 2019.
  • Words Gear: On September 26, 2006,Panasonicannounced the establishment of Words Gear with Kadokawa Mobile andTokyo Broadcasting System,effective on October 2, 2006.[40]On September 30, 2010, Kadokawa Group Holdings announced that it will merging Words Gear into Kadokawa Contents Gate, with Kadokawa Contents Gate as the surviving company, effective on January 1, 2011.[41]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abc"Summary of Consolidated Financial Results for the Year Ended March 31, 2024 (Based on Japanese GAAP)".May 9, 2024. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on August 31, 2024.RetrievedAugust 31,2024.
  2. ^"KADOKAWA Integrated Report 2022".group.kadokawa.co.jp.Archivedfrom the original on April 27, 2023.RetrievedApril 27,2023.
  3. ^カドカワ kabushiki gaisha,Kadokawa Kabushiki-gaisha,until October 1, 2015 kabushiki gaisha KADOKAWA・DWANGO
  4. ^"Dwango to merge with Kadokawa".The Japan Times.May 14, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2015.RetrievedApril 13,2015.
  5. ^"Publisher Kadokawa, Internet firm Dwango complete merger".The Japan Times. October 1, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on May 5, 2019.RetrievedApril 13,2015.
  6. ^"Kadokawa Corporation: Corporation History".
  7. ^Ressler, Karen."Nobuo Kawakami Steps Down as Kadokawa Dwango President".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on February 16, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 16,2019.
  8. ^"Hội xã phân cách ( giản dị hút thâu phân cách ) の thật thi, hiệu buôn 変 càng cập び định khoản một bộ 変 càng, cũng びに đại biểu thủ tiêu dịch cập び dịch viên の dị động に quan するお biết らせ"(PDF).E-IR(in Japanese). Pronexus Inc.Archived(PDF)from the original on May 14, 2019.RetrievedMay 14,2019.
  9. ^Mateo, Alex (February 5, 2021)."Kadokawa Corporation Forms Capital Alliance with CyberAgent, Sony".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on February 5, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 5,2021.
  10. ^Kim, Joo-wan; Cha, Jun-ho; Koo, Min-ki (August 17, 2021)."Kakao Group's past, present and future as conglomerate".The Korea Economic Daily.RetrievedNovember 24,2024.
  11. ^"Notice Concerning Strategic Alliance with Tencent Group"(PDF).Kadokawa Corporation. October 29, 2021.RetrievedJuly 30,2022.
  12. ^Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 11, 2024)."Kadokawa Acquires Anime Studio Doga Kobo".Anime News Network.RetrievedJuly 11,2024.
  13. ^Sen, Anirban; Nussey, Sam (November 19, 2024)."Exclusive: Sony is in talks to buy media powerhouse behind 'Elden Ring'".Reuters.RetrievedNovember 24,2024.
  14. ^Mochizuki, Takashi (November 26, 2024)."Sony's Pursuit of Anime Publisher Holds More Opportunity Than Risk".Bloomberg News.RetrievedNovember 28,2024.
  15. ^"Kadokawa chairman arrested over Tokyo Olympics bribery scandal".Kyodo News. September 15, 2022.RetrievedSeptember 15,2022.
  16. ^"Publisher Kadokawa's chairman indicted over Olympics bribery".Kyodo News. October 4, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on October 4, 2022.RetrievedOctober 4,2022.
  17. ^Jiji (July 3, 2024)."Hackers behind Kadokawa cyberattack claim new info leak".The Japan Times.Archivedfrom the original on July 3, 2024.RetrievedJuly 3,2024.
  18. ^Sudo, Tatsuya (July 2, 2024)."More Kadokawa data leaked as deadline for ransom passes".The Asahi Shimbun.Archivedfrom the original on July 3, 2024.RetrievedJuly 3,2024.
  19. ^"KADOKAWA Corporation"グループ hội xã một lãm[Group Company Summary] (in Japanese). Kadokawa Group Holdings.Archivedfrom the original on June 14, 2021.RetrievedNovember 10,2013.
  20. ^"Publishing businesses under Kadokawa Group Holdings".Kadokawa Group Holdings. Archived fromthe originalon March 1, 2012.RetrievedNovember 21,2009.
  21. ^"Movie/Visual businesses under Kadokawa Group Holdings".Kadokawa Group Holdings. Archived fromthe originalon November 10, 2013.RetrievedNovember 21,2009.
  22. ^"Cross media businesses under Kadokawa Group Holdings".Kadokawa Group Holdings.Archivedfrom the original on November 17, 2010.RetrievedNovember 21,2009.
  23. ^"Other businesses under Kadokawa Group Holdings".Kadokawa Group Holdings. Archived fromthe originalon November 17, 2010.RetrievedNovember 21,2009.
  24. ^"Report: Kadokawa Acquires Dark Souls Developers From Software".Silliconera. April 28, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on May 31, 2014.RetrievedMay 21,2014.
  25. ^https:// animenewsnetwork /news/2024-05-07/kadokawa-establishes-new-anime-studio-bellnox-films/.210570
  26. ^https://group.kadokawa.co.jp/global/business/video.html
  27. ^https://group.kadokawa.co.jp/global/business/video.html
  28. ^"KADOKAWA Announces Acquisition of Anime News Network's Media Business".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2022.RetrievedNovember 1,2022.
  29. ^"About Kadokawa's Investment in ANN".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on November 3, 2022.RetrievedNovember 1,2022.
  30. ^"Establishment of a Joint Venture with Gramedia, the largest publisher and largest bookstore network in Indonesia"(Press release). January 5, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 11,2024.
  31. ^"Media Giants Gramedia and Kadokawa Establish a Joint Venture in Indonesia".KAORI Nusantara.January 9, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on January 11, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 11,2024.
  32. ^"Kadokawa Games to divest part of its business to Dragami Games, a new company established by Yoshimi Yasuda".Gematsu.May 26, 2022.RetrievedJuly 31,2023.
  33. ^"Giác xuyên ジェイコム・メディア “J:COM Walker” ra đời J:COM さいたま, J:COM tương mô nguyên ・ đại cùng các サービスエリアで8 nguyệt に phát hành "(in Japanese). PR Times. June 14, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2015.RetrievedApril 11,2012.
  34. ^インターネット giới hạn chuyên môn の quảng cáo hội xã “Điện thông イー・リンク” を thiết lập(PDF)(in Japanese). Cyber Communications. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on July 13, 2011.RetrievedApril 11,2012.
  35. ^－ “Địa vực tình báo ánh giống” × “ネット địa vực quảng cáo” × “ネット đối ứng máy móc” － “Kabushiki gaisha ソネット・カドカワ・リンク” を3 xã cộng đồng で thiết lập ～ cao phẩm chất ánh giống で ham mê に thích した tình báo と ra sẽ える『 địa vực tình báo dò hỏi サイト』を cấu trúc ～(PDF)(in Japanese). So-net Entertainment. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on April 12, 2013.RetrievedApril 11,2012.
  36. ^Liên kết tử hội xã giác xuyên モバイルとムービーゲート の xác nhập に quan して(PDF)(in Japanese). Kadokawa Group Holdings.Archived(PDF)from the original on January 3, 2011.RetrievedApril 11,2012.
  37. ^Romano, Sal (July 26, 2019)."Mages goes independent from Kadokawa Group, 5pb. to consolidate into Mages".Gematsu.Archivedfrom the original on April 9, 2020.RetrievedJuly 26,2019.
  38. ^"MediaLeaves, Inc. announcement"(in Japanese). MediaLeaves. Archived fromthe originalon October 28, 2010.RetrievedApril 11,2012.
  39. ^Kabushiki gaisha vượn lặc sảnh の cây thức lấy được ( tử hội xã hóa ) に quan するお biết らせ(PDF)(in Japanese). Pole To Win. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on July 19, 2013.RetrievedApril 11,2012.
  40. ^"Giác xuyên ・ tùng hạ đồ điện ・TBS 3 xã が điện tử thư tịch sự nghiệp hội xã “ワーズギア kabushiki gaisha” thiết lập で hợp ý ～ đọc thư đoan mạt とコンテンツを cung cấp ～ "(in Japanese).Panasonic.RetrievedApril 11,2012.
  41. ^グループ xí nghiệp lại biên による ánh giống ・ tạp chí ・デジタル sự nghiệp の cường hóa について(PDF)(in Japanese). Kadokawa Group Holdings.Archived(PDF)from the original on August 29, 2011.RetrievedApril 11,2012.
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