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Aniplex

Aniplex is the publisher on Fate/EXTRA Record, which releases January 28, 2027 after a publisher change and the departure of director Kazuya Niino. It reported record net sales of 212 billion yen for the fiscal year ended March 2026, while subsidiary studios CloverWorks and Boundary posted net losses.

Synthesized from 29 Yomimono stories · updated 1d ago

Aniplex's year is best read through Fate/EXTRA Record. The remake of the 2010 PlayStation Portable game moved from Bandai Namco Entertainment to Aniplex as publisher, and Kazuya Niino left Type-Moon studio BB and stepped down from the project. The release date moved several times before Aniplex set January 28, 2027, on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. Development went to Meteorise. From September 2026 on, Aniplex ran a steady drumbeat for the game: Saber, Archer, and Caster character videos, a rival faction video, demo events in four cities, a hands-on session in Tokyo in November, and the announcement that battles use deck-building command cards. The game is priced at 8,910 yen for the standard edition.

The money is more complicated than the release calendar. Aniplex reported record net sales of 212 billion yen for the fiscal year ended March 2026, up 45 percent, driven by Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Kokuho. Subsidiary studios CloverWorks and Boundary posted net losses; A-1 Pictures returned to profit after a loss the prior year; Egg Firm's net profit fell by more than 50 percent. Aniplex also acquired Egg Firm. Atsuhiro Iwakami, ten years as Aniplex president, was named president and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Japan effective April 2026.

The licensing side keeps moving. MediaOCD signed a sales agreement to carry Aniplex of America Blu-rays, starting with Gurren Lagann and Mashle: Magic and Muscles. Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising set North American screenings for January 16 to 19, 2027, after opening in Japan on August 28, 2026. Merchandise runs alongside: figures for Homura Akemi, Doma, and Saber in her Honkai: Star Rail collaboration outfit.

Key facts

Fate/EXTRA Record release date
January 28, 2027, on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam; standard edition 8,910 yen including tax ↗
Fate/EXTRA Record developer
Meteorise handles development, with TYPE-MOON studio BB on planning ↗
Fate/EXTRA Record battle system
Deck-building command battles built on Action Points with Attack, Guard, and Skill cards, Chain Marks, and Code Cast support from the Master ↗
Aniplex net sales
Record 212 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2026, a 45 percent increase, driven by Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Kokuho ↗
Subsidiary results
CloverWorks and Boundary posted net losses; A-1 Pictures returned to profit; Egg Firm's net profit fell by more than 50 percent ↗
President transition
Atsuhiro Iwakami becomes president and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Japan effective April 2026, after ten years leading Aniplex ↗
Madoka Magica sequel North America
Aniplex of America and Fathom Entertainment screen Walpurgisnacht: Rising from January 16 to 19, 2027, with tickets on sale December 11 ↗
Madoka Magica sequel Japan opening
Opened August 28, 2026 with IMAX screenings the same day, ranked first in its opening weekend and sold 535,000 tickets for 939,647,100 yen in three days ↗
Blu-ray sales agreement
MediaOCD will carry select Aniplex of America Blu-rays through its online store, starting with Gurren Lagann and both seasons of Mashle: Magic and Muscles ↗
Melty Blood: Twi-Lumina
Releases April 22, 2027 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC via Steam; developed by French Bread and published by Aniplex ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Noted
Aniplex, under Sony Music Entertainment Japan, develops and produces anime and expands properties into games, music, merchandise, and events. · 2026-10-23
Noted
released the first character promotional video · 2026-09-09
Noted
publishes the game · 2026-09-09
Noted
Aniplex reported record net sales of ¥212 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2026, a 45 percent increase · 2026-07-01
Announced
release date for Fate/EXTRA Record (September 3 State of Play broadcast) · 2026-09-03
Announced
distribution and sales of Fate/EXTRA Record (August 31 announcement) · 2026-08-31
Announced
Atsuhiro Iwakami will become the next president and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Japan, effective April 2026 · 2026-05-31

Connections

Produces
crunchyroll, fate extra record, demon slayer kimetsu no yaiba, puella magi madoka magica the movie walpurgisnacht rising, evolve racer, kaze wo tsugu mono, melty blood twi lumina, persona 3 the movie, fate stay night unlimited blade works, demon slayer kimetsu no yaiba hinokami chronicles 2, egg firm
Staff change
sony music
Produces of
sony, yuma takahashi

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/aniplex. CC BY 4.0.

Claim activity

When a claim about Aniplex was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.

  • Confirmed Sony produces Aniplex 14h ago · source
  • Confirmed Aniplex produces Crunchyroll 14h ago · source
  • Confirmed Aniplex produces Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising Oct 9 · source
  • Confirmed Aniplex produces Egg Firm Sep 12 · source
  • Debunked Aniplex produces Melty Blood: Twi-Lumina Sep 12 · source
  • Disputed Atsuhiro Iwakami will become the next president and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Japan, effective April 2026 May 31 · source

All coverage

1d ago

Sony Lays Out How Its Anime Businesses Fit Together

A corporate blog post from Sony describes a structure that joins production in Japan with distribution and merchandising abroad. Aniplex, under Sony Music Entertainment Japan, develops and produces anime and expands properties into games, music, merchandise, and events. Crunchyroll, a joint venture between Aniplex and Sony Pictures Entertainment, handles international streaming, theatrical distribution, and localization. The post also places the studios A-1 Pictures, CloverWorks, and Hayate within that structure.

Oct 17

Aniplex Producer Yuma Takahashi Trains Four Voice Actors As Event MCs

At Machi Asobi vol.31 in Tokushima, Aniplex producer Yuma Takahashi held the debut event for his MC Training Project. Takahashi, in his 23rd year at Aniplex and MC of roughly 500 events, selected four voice actors from about 20 agency applicants through auditions. Three appeared: Katsuhiro Tokuishi and Yu Kosaka of 81 Produce and Yu Kawada of Rakuen Dog. Yuki Ayami of Across Entertainment was absent for work.

Oct 15

BUZZmod. Homura Akemi Figure From Walpurgisnacht Rising Opens Preorders

A new-costume Homura Akemi figure from Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Walpurgisnacht Rising is joining the BUZZmod. action figure line. Preorders are open at Aniplex Online and other retailers. The 1/12 scale figure stands about 135mm, includes five expression parts, hand parts, a crossed-leg part, and a stand, and is scheduled for release in July 2027 at 12,000 yen.

Oct 15

Fate/EXTRA Record Rival Faction Revealed In Second Character PV

Aniplex released the second character promotional video for Fate/EXTRA Record on October 15, focusing on the Masters and Servants of the enemy faction that players will fight in the Moon Holy Grail War. The video, titled RIVAL's SIDE, introduces Shinji Matou, Alice, Run Ru-kun, Julius B. Harwey, Dan Blackmore, Monji Gatou, Leonardo B. Harwey, Rani VIII, and Rin Tohsaka, along with the Servants who fight alongside them. Aniplex also announced a special hands-on event in Tokyo on November 7 and 8, where participants can play a broader portion of the game than in previous demos. Each 90-minute session invites 30 people by lottery, and attendees receive a not-for-sale clear file featuring the key visual. The game launches January 28 for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam. The standard edition is priced at 8,910 yen including tax. Pre-release promotion includes a fan kit and seven planned updates.

Oct 11

Doma Gets A Non-Scale Figure Based On Ufotable Illustration

Aniplex Online is taking preorders for a non-scale figure of Doma, Upper Rank Two of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, based on an illustration drawn by ufotable. The figure shows him seated on a chair holding a fan. It costs 6,800 yen including tax, with a limited acrylic charm bonus. Preorders run until December 28, 2026, and shipping is scheduled sequentially from July 2027. Crenel releases the product.

Oct 9

Madoka Magica Walpurgisnacht Rising Sets North America Screenings For January 16 To 19

Aniplex of America and Fathom Entertainment will screen Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising in North American theaters from January 16 to 19, 2027, the companies announced at New York Comic Con. Showings will be offered in Japanese audio with English subtitles and in an English dub. Tickets go on sale December 11 at online sellers and participating theater box offices. The film is the official sequel to Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: Rebellion. Yukihiro Miyamoto directed it, and the returning staff includes chief director Akiyuki Simbo, scriptwriter Gen Urobuchi of Nitroplus, original character designer Ume Aoki, animation character designer Junichiro Taniguchi and composer Yuki Kajiura. The animation studio is SHAFT. Yuki Kajiura's solo project FictionJunction performs the theme song Kanata. In Japan the film opened on August 28, 2026 with IMAX screenings the same day, ranked first in its opening weekend and sold 535,000 tickets for 939,647,100 yen in its first three days.

Oct 7

MediaOCD Signs Deal to Sell Aniplex of America Blu-rays

MediaOCD announced on Wednesday a sales agreement with Aniplex of America to carry select anime on Blu-ray Disc through the MediaOCD online store. The first Aniplex of America titles listed are the Gurren Lagann television series and films and both seasons of Mashle: Magic and Muscles. The Gurren Lagann Complete Blu-ray Disc Box holds the 27-episode series, the films Gurren Lagann the Movie -Childhood's End- and Gurren Lagann the Movie -The Lights in the Sky Are Stars-, and two versions of episode 6. A separate Gurren Lagann the Movie 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray collects both films remastered in 4K for the films' 15th anniversary, with staff audio commentary, a leaflet, and the English dub. The Mashle boxes cover the first two seasons with mini-character stickers, a booklet, a soundtrack CD, and creditless opening and ending videos. Justin Sevakis, founder of MediaOCD, said the agreement keeps the titles available to fans and that more titles are planned. MediaOCD announced the deal from Los Angeles on October 6, 2026.

Oct 5

Grotesqqque Streams English-Subtitled Trailer Ahead Of Japan Opening

Aniplex USA streamed a new English-subtitled trailer for Atsushi Nishigori's original anime film Grotesqqque on Sunday. The omnibus film tells three stories with different worldviews. Nishigori directs, writes the screenplay, and designs the characters. METALVERSE performs the opening theme "Shoot Shoot Shoot"; Haoto performs the ending theme with lyrics by momosu momosu. The film opens in Japan on November 6, after a U.S. premiere at the Japan Society in New York City on October 8.

Oct 4

Twisted-Wonderland Launches EVOLVE RACER Web Game For A Limited Time

Aniplex released the web game EVOLVE RACER for the smartphone title Disney Twisted-Wonderland on September 24, 2026, for a limited time. Players switch between three lanes to dodge obstacles, collect items, and build score across 8 stages, with the background and BGM changing per stage. Filling the ENERGY gauge triggers Energy Fever, which nullifies obstacles and raises the score multiplier.

Oct 4

OceanVeil Streams Student Council Anime on Saturday

Aniplex USA posted an English-subtitled trailer for the television anime of Muchimaro's Even the Student Council Has Its Holes! and said the series streams on OceanVeil on Saturday. The anime debuts in Japan the same day on Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma TV, and Tochigi TV, with d Anime Store and AnimeFesta carrying both versions. Naoyuki Tatsuwa directs at Passione.

Sep 21

Fate/EXTRA Record Stream Set For October 15

Aniplex announced on September 21 that Fate/EXTRA Record will get a special program titled Fate/EXTRA Record TIMES, streaming October 15 at 20:00 on the official TYPE-MOON GAMES YouTube channel. Atsushi Abe and Yui Ishikawa, who play the game's protagonists, are scheduled to appear and introduce the game and deliver new information. Aniplex also detailed in-store demo events in four cities: Animate Sapporo on September 26 and 27, Animate Nagoya on October 3 and 4, Sofmap Namba Store on October 10 and 11, and Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Hakata on November 28 and 29. All four run from 11:00 to 17:00. Attendees who try the game receive one random Fate/EXTRA Record Original Die-Cut Sticker on a first-come basis. Four sticker types exist: Saber, Archer, Caster, and a secret type. Preorders at participating stores, or at the venue on the day, come with a not-for-sale store promotional poster. The game is planned by TYPE-MOON and releases January 28, 2027.

Sep 19

Fate/EXTRA Record Heads To January 28, 2027 With Deck-Building Battles

Aniplex held a media briefing at Tokyo Game Show 2026 for Fate/EXTRA Record, the full remake of Fate/EXTRA, and confirmed a January 28, 2027 release on PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. Development is handled by Meteorise, with TYPE-MOON studio BB on the planning side. The battle system moves away from the original's rock-paper-scissors format to deck-building command battles built on Action Points, with Attack, Guard, and Skill cards, Chain Marks that trigger a no-cost Extra Attack, and Code Cast support from the Master. The scenario follows the original, including its iconic lines, while the graphics and system are rebuilt for what the staff call a modern JRPG rather than a remaster. Players pick Saber, Archer, or Caster as a partner Servant, three Servants were detailed at the session, and the game ships with nine supported languages. Character voices remain Japanese only. A playable demo is running at the Aniplex booth.

Sep 14

Fate/Extra Record Debuts Caster Character Video

Aniplex released a character promotional video for Caster, voiced by Chiwa Saito, in Type-Moon studio BB's Fate/Extra Record on September 14. Caster is one of the Servant candidates who contracts with the protagonist. She is a curser with fox ears and a fox tail, described as venomous in personality but obedient to her Master's orders, and she uses sharp intellect for clever tactics. The game is a full remake of Fate/Extra, the PlayStation Portable title released in Japan in 2010. Kinoko Nasu handles original work and scenario supervision, Takashi Takeuchi provides character original designs, Arco Wada returns as character designer, and Meteorise handles development. Fate/Extra Record launches January 28, 2027 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, after several delays. The standard edition costs 8,910 yen.

Sep 12

Expelled From Paradise Sequel Film Reveals New Video And Adds Rie Kugimiya To Cast

The Aniplex One Focus livestream on Saturday revealed a new video and a cast member for Rakuen Tsuihō -Expelled from Paradise- Kokoro no Resonance, the feature-length sequel to the Expelled from Paradise film. Rie Kugimiya reprises her role as Angela Balzac. The film opens in Japan on November 13, and a game, Expelled from Paradise -The Stellar Angel-, launches November 26 for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.

Sep 12

Bless Anime Reveals Main Cast And January 2027 Debut

The Aniplex One Focus livestream on Saturday announced the main cast, a January 2027 premiere, and a teaser visual for the television anime of Yukino Sonoyama's manga Bless. Tomohiro Ono voices Aia Udagawa and Chiyuki Miura voices Jun Sumisaki, with short character videos for both. The series airs on Fuji TV's Noitamina block, directed by Shotaro Kitamura at A-1 Pictures.

Sep 12

Fate/EXTRA Record Streams Archer Character Video

Aniplex released the first character promotional video for Fate/EXTRA Record on September 12, 2026, during the Aniplex One Focus livestream. The video centers on Archer, one of the Servant candidates who can form a contract with the protagonist, voiced by Junichi Suwabe. Archer is a warrior who wields a variety of weapons and specializes in combat using indirect attacks and throwing. The game is a full remake of Fate/EXTRA, which Marvelous Entertainment and Type-Moon released for the PlayStation Portable in Japan in 2010. Development is handled by Meteorise, with planning by Notes. The scenario and graphics have been expanded, and battles use a deck-building command card battle system. Fate/EXTRA Record is scheduled to launch on January 28, 2027 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The standard edition costs 8,910 yen including tax in packaged and download versions.

Sep 12

Kaze Wo Tsugu Mono Unveils Second Cast Reveal Pv With Five Shinsengumi Voices

The second cast reveal PV for the original TV anime Kaze wo Tsugu Mono has been released, debuting character voices for five newly announced cast members: Ryohei Kimura as Shinshichi Nagakura, Ayumu Murase as Heisuke Todo, Shinba Tsuchiya as Sanosuke Harada, Takeo Otsuka as Keisuke Yamanami, and Yasuyuki Kase as Kamo Serizawa. The series, directed by Tomohiro Kawamura with scripts by Yutaka Nari and music by Shigeru Kishida, is produced by Aniplex, Live2D, and Drive.

Sep 12

Melty Blood: Twi-Lumina Sets April 22, 2027 Release And White Len

Aniplex will release Melty Blood: Twi-Lumina, a 2D fighting game, on April 22, 2027 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. The announcement came on September 12, 2026, with a new promotional video showing battle scenes for Len, Shiki Tohno, Arcueid, and Ciel, plus the first reveal of White Len, drawn by Takashi Takeuchi. The game is a renewal of Melty Blood: Type Lumina, which launched in September 2021. French Bread is developing and Aniplex is publishing. Twi-Lumina adds new systems and characters, including a scenario newly written by Kinoko Nasu, and Act and Duel control modes that pair simplified one-button special moves with traditional command inputs. Voiceover is in Japanese only; text supports Japanese, English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. A playable demo will appear at Tokyo Game Show 2026.

Sep 9

Fate/EXTRA Record Streams First Saber Character Video

Aniplex released the first character promotional video for Fate/EXTRA Record, its remake of the 2010 PlayStation Portable game Fate/EXTRA, on September 9. The video spotlights Saber, voiced by Sakura Tange, one of three Servant candidates the protagonist can contract with in the dungeon exploration RPG. The sources describe Saber as a swordswoman whose exceptional skill defies her small stature, with combat ability worthy of the Saber name, considered the most outstanding class. Her speech and mannerisms are arrogant, but she harbors a love for beautiful things. Fate/EXTRA Record is scheduled to launch on January 28, 2027, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. The standard edition is priced at 8,910 yen. The game follows a troubled development history: Bandai Namco Entertainment withdrew from publishing by mutual agreement, and director Kazuya Nino left the project citing health concerns. Arco Wada returns as character designer, with Kinoko Nasu handling original work and scenario supervision. Development is now handled by Meteorise.

Sep 5

Grow Up Show: Sunflower Circus Arc Gets Promo Video and Key Visual

The staff of Grow Up Show: Sunflower Circus released a promotional video and key visual for the Circus Collection arc on Saturday. The arc began with the 10th episode on the same day. The anime is set in late 1950s and early 1960s Japan, following the Sunflower Circus troupe.

Sep 3

Fate/EXTRA Record Sets January 28, 2027 Release After Multiple Delays

Aniplex announced during Sony's September 3 State of Play livestream that Fate/EXTRA Record, the full remake of the 2010 PlayStation Portable dungeon RPG Fate/EXTRA, will launch on January 28, 2027. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The new trailer showed gameplay, battle scenes, cutscenes, and a surprise appearance by Arcueid Brunestud, the main heroine of TYPE-MOON's visual novel Tsukihime. The release date follows a series of delays that pushed the game from an initial 2025 window to spring 2026, and then to an indefinite postponement after Bandai Namco Entertainment withdrew as publisher by mutual agreement with Notes, TYPE-MOON's corporate arm. Aniplex subsequently took over publishing. The game was originally announced in July 2020, marking the 10th anniversary of the original Fate/EXTRA. Kazuya Nino, the game's director and planner, left TYPE-MOON studio BB for personal reasons and health concerns, with Arco Wada returning as character designer. A physical Limited Edition and a Digital Deluxe Edition were also detailed.

Aug 31

Aniplex Takes Over Fate/Extra Record Publishing as Kazuya Niino Leaves Studio BB

Aniplex announced on August 31 that it will now publish Fate/Extra Record, the remake of the 2010 PlayStation Portable game Fate/Extra. The announcement came with a new official website and X account, and the game will also launch on Nintendo Switch 2 in addition to its previously announced platforms. The transfer follows Bandai Namco Entertainment's withdrawal from publishing in March, after the game was delayed from a 2025 release to spring 2026. Development is now handled by Meteorize, with Arco Wada returning as character designer. The same day, Kazuya Niino, who served as studio director of Type-Moon studio BB and as director and planner on Fate/Extra Record, announced he is leaving the studio for personal reasons and has stepped down from the game. He stated he has already left the development site and will remove his name from the staff credits, citing health concerns and a planned break from game development. Niino added that the development team is working toward release and that he is confident the game will reach fans in good form.

Aug 29

Crunchyroll Reveals Speakers for Anime Future Forum in New York

Crunchyroll announced the first program details for the Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum, set for October 7, 2026, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. The invitation-only event expects more than 400 anime industry figures. Speakers include executives from Shueisha, Toho, MAPPA, and Aniplex, plus Guillermo del Toro, James Gunn, and the co-directors of Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. Sony Group CEO Hiroki Totoki opens the event.

Aug 28

Aniplex USA Streams All 4 Persona 3 Films on YouTube for a Limited Time

Aniplex USA's YouTube channel is now streaming all four Persona 3 anime films in Japanese with English subtitles. Atlus West announced the limited-time availability on Saturday, with no removal date given. The free streams celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Persona series.

Aug 4

Saber Gets 1/7 Scale Figure in Honkai: Star Rail x Fate Collaboration Outfit

Aniplex announced on July 31, 2026 that it will release a 1/7 scale figure of Saber from the ongoing collaboration between the space fantasy RPG "Honkai: Star Rail" and "Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]". Pre-orders opened the same day on Aniplex Online and at retailers including AmiAmi. The figure is priced at 31,900 yen (tax included) and is scheduled for delivery in June 2027. The sculpt recreates the collaboration illustration by Takashi Takeuchi, with dynamic effect parts depicting the trajectory of Saber's sword to capture a moment of impact. Saber wears a special collaboration-only costume that differs from her outfit in "Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]", sculpted down to the smallest details. The figure is a made-to-order product, with the order period running until October 21 at 23:59. A purchase bonus is a colored paper board using the collaboration illustration by Takeuchi.

Jul 1

Aniplex Posts Record Sales as Studio Profits Stall

Aniplex reported record net sales of ¥212 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2026, a 45 percent increase, driven by Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Kokuho. However, subsidiary studios CloverWorks and Boundary posted net losses, while A-1 Pictures returned to profit after a loss the prior year. Egg Firm's net profit fell by more than 50 percent.

Jun 29

Demon Slayer Hinokami Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition Launches October 29

Aniplex announced on June 29 that the Switch 2 edition of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles 2" will launch on October 29, priced at 7,810 yen. The edition bundles the base game with the "Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1" Character Pass, which adds seven characters including Tanjiro Kamado (Infinity Castle Arc), Zenitsu Agatsuma (Infinity Castle Arc), Giyu Tomioka (Infinity Castle Arc), Shinobu Kocho (Infinity Castle Arc), Doma, Akaza (Infinity Castle Arc), and Kaigaku. The Switch 2 version supports high-resolution display and 60 FPS, with clearer character expressions and skill effects. It supports offline two-player versus battles, online versus battles with the existing Switch version (though those matches run at 30 FPS), and local wireless battles between Switch 2 consoles. A separate upgrade pass for Switch version owners will also be available on the same day for 550 yen, allowing save data transfer but not including the character pass. Store-specific purchase bonuses include a CyberConnect2-produced sticker and a ufotable reproduction art.

May 31

Counterfeit Anime Merchandise Caused US$30 Billion in Damages Last Year

A survey commissioned by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry estimated that sales of counterfeit anime and other character products caused ¥4.7 trillion (US$30.4 billion) in financial damages in 2025. The figure is the first to measure the impact of piracy on the merchandise market, as previous editions of the survey only calculated damages from digital content piracy. The survey was conducted by advisory firm PwC Consulting on behalf of the Content Overseas Distribution Association. In a separate finding, internet monitoring firm Adish identified at least 841 counterfeit anime merchandise items with prices totaling ¥22.2 million (US$140,000) being sold online for five top anime airing in the second quarter of 2025. The report also noted that overseas licensees struggle to combat counterfeits because anime companies often lack sufficient chain of title documentation to submit infringement claims. Separately, the newsletter reported that Aniplex acquired anime production planning company Egg Firm, and that a permanent Sailor Moon stage musical production will begin performances in April at Tokyo's Shinagawa Prince Hotel.

May 31

Aniplex President Iwakami to Become Sony Music CEO in April

Aniplex president Atsuhiro Iwakami will become the next president and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Japan, effective April 2026, as reported by the Nikkei and covered by Animenomics. Iwakami, who has led Aniplex for ten years, will be the first executive with a video production background to head the Japanese music giant. The appointment reflects the growing influence of Aniplex within Sony Music Group, as more than half of Sony Music's sales in Japan now come from non-music sources, including Aniplex. Aniplex produced both "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle," the highest-grossing anime film globally, and "Kokuho," Japan's highest-grossing live-action film. External revenue from Sony Music's visual media and platform business, which includes Aniplex, rose 42.8 percent in the nine months ended December 2025 compared to the same period last year. Prior to leading Aniplex, Iwakami worked on productions such as the "Monogatari" series, "Puella Magi Madoka Magica," and "Sword Art Online," and produced the mobile game "Fate/Grand Order" and the "Demon Slayer" anime adaptation.

May 31

TV Asahi Sets Goal to Double Anime Production by 2030

TV Asahi announced a four-year management plan aiming to double its anime production capacity by March 2030. The commercial broadcaster, known for Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan, intends to shift from a television broadcasting business to one centered on IP creation. The plan follows recent successes with anime investments like Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube and Medalist. TV Asahi will increase the number of anime projects where it leads the production committee, retaining a greater share of licensing royalties to boost anime business profits by 50 percent. It also plans deeper collaboration with subsidiary Shin-Ei Animation and major shareholder Toei Animation. The broadcaster will expand late-night anime slots from three and strengthen ties with streaming service Abema. India is a target for IP growth, building on Crayon Shin-chan's success there. TV Asahi also seeks to recruit creators for a generative AI studio for anime, dramas, and commercials. The company says it remains committed to television after securing top viewer ratings last year.