Establishment of new animation production studio “Bellnox Films”

KADOKAWA Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Director, Representative Executive Officer, President and CEO: Tsuyoshi Natsuno, hereinafter KADOKAWA) is a new animation production studio, Bellnox Films Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Tsuyoshi Natsuno). Koji (hereinafter referred to as Bellnox Films) has been established and will begin operations on July 1, 2024.

■Background/purpose

In its medium-term business plan ending in March 2028, the KADOKAWA Group has established a “Global Media Mix with Technology'' strategy, which is centered on stably creating IP (Intellectual Property) consisting of a diverse portfolio and deploying it widely around the world. Our basic strategy is to promote In addition, our animation business strategy aims to increase the number of titles and the number of episodes produced per title by strengthening our production capabilities.

In recent years, Japanese anime has gained popularity around the world, and many titles have appeared that have caused social phenomena. In proportion to its popularity, the number of productions tends to increase year by year. However, on the other hand, the number of people working in animation production is currently insufficient compared to the number of animation works. Under these circumstances, the KADOKAWA Group has established Bellnox Films, an animation production company that incorporates a new production style, in an attempt to resolve industry issues. Bellnox Films is run by Koji Kajita, who previously served as the representative of Gonzo Co., Ltd. and later founded David Production Co., Ltd. and served as its representative (representative works: TV anime “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure” series, TV anime “Cells at Work” series). We are an animation production studio centered on , and aim to further develop the industry based on a new system that is not limited by traditional animation production positions or occupations.

Bellnox Films is the fifth animation production studio in the KADOKAWA Group, following subsidiary ENGI Co., Ltd., Studio KADAN Co., Ltd., Raging Bull Co., Ltd., and affiliated company Kinema Citrus Co., Ltd. The KADOKAWA Group will continue to strengthen its system to stably produce high-quality anime works by strengthening production studios, establishing new ones, M&A, and forming business alliances with other companies, in accordance with the policies of the medium-term management plan.

Mr. Kajita said, “Through actual production activities, I would like to work hard to make the animation production industry “systematic'' and “rational'' so that it can grow more “flexibly.'' Bellnox Films has already begun forming a new organization with the enthusiasm and enthusiasm of “creating useful works.''

In order to further develop the anime industry, together with Mr. Kajita, the KADOKAWA Group will work to create a good environment for animation production and aim to continue producing high-quality works.

• Bellnox Films Co., Ltd. Overview

• Company name: BELLNOX FILMS Co. Ltd.

• Address: 2-13-3 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

• Representative: Koji Kajita (Representative Director and President)

• Establishment date: May 2024 (scheduled) *Start of operations from July 1, 2024

• Business content: General animation production business

• URL:

■Comment from Hiroshi Kajita, President and Representative Director of Bellnox Films Co., Ltd. (full text)

“I have seen many times staff members who started working in the animation production industry with dreams but left the industry because they felt anxious about the future.When I thought about it again, I realized that the value of value… There are “individualistic” and “irrational” tendencies in every aspect of the industry, including business models, production processes, organizations, systems, and training, and the industry's structure and culture have become “rigid and stagnant.” Through my actual production activities, I would like to work towards making the animation production industry more systematic and rational, and allowing it to grow more flexibly. In order to contribute, Bellnox Films will continue to practice “creating useful works.''

■Comment from Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Chief Anime Officer (CAO) of KADOKAWA Co., Ltd.

“The KADOKAWA Group not only plans and sells animation, but also engages in production, thereby contributing to the resolution of industry issues and sustainable development.” We aim to update our operations through methods such as compatibility and create high-quality works.”

■Impact on performance

The impact of this matter on consolidated results for the current fiscal year is minimal.

■About KADOKAWA Co., Ltd.

We are a comprehensive entertainment company that operates a wide range of businesses, including publishing, video, games, web services, education, and the operation of IP experience facilities centered on Tokorozawa Sakura Town. We use technology to implement a “Global Media Mix” strategy that stably creates excellent intellectual property (IP) and delivers it to the world in various forms.