Frontier Works and Universal Music VMG Form Strategic Partnership for Digital Music Distribution Aims for Global Expansion

The domestic anime industry in Japan has a market size of 2.9277 trillion yen (106.8% compared to the previous year) and has continued to grow even after the COVID-19 pandemic, while the overseas market also reached a record high of 111.1% compared to the previous year in 2022. Anime is also extremely popular overseas, and both companies believe that anime music is also a content with great potential to gain overseas fans.

*The Association of Japanese Animations “Anime Industry Report 2023”

Through its partnership with VMG (known as Virgin Music Group overseas), Frontier Works aims to expand its business while leveraging the strengths of both companies. As a first step, the company began supplying “Ensemble Stars!!” related songs to various music distribution services on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

Universal Music LLC Senior Executive Officer Ichiro Tamaki

“The music content derived from Frontier Works' anime and games has great potential, and it is VMG's mission to deliver this appeal to fans in Japan and overseas. We are pleased to be able to utilize VMG's global network to provide overseas fans with the latest technology and Universal Music's accumulated know-how in the music business. We are very much looking forward to working with Frontier Works in expanding Japan-based content overseas.”

Frontier Works Inc. President and CEO Masahide Tsuji

“Frontier Works' mission is to enrich people's hearts and bring them closer together through our products, services, and our works. We are confident that VMG's new technology system and music business know-how will help us develop more satisfying content that will allow even more customers to enjoy our music content.”

■Universal Music LLC

Universal Music Group fosters culture through the power of art.

With music at its core, the company is a global leader in the entertainment industry, and engages in a wide range of businesses including music production, music publishing, merchandising, and video content.

We offer the most comprehensive lineup of music across all genres, discover and develop artists, and deliver numerous hits that are highly acclaimed around the world.

With a focus on artistry, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, we are committed to developing services, platforms and new business models that enhance the value of artists and provide new experiences for music fans.

Universal Music LLC is the Japanese subsidiary of the Universal Music Group.

Universal Music Group

Universal Music LLC

VMG other/vmg/

■Frontier Works Co., Ltd.

Frontier Works' mission is to “enrich people's hearts and bring them closer together through our works and services” and has been involved in events such as TV and theatrical anime, stage productions, and 3DCG live shows.

We plan, produce, and sell games, music, audio dramas, books, magazines, merchandise, etc. We also engage in copyright management and other businesses.

We are also a part of the Animate Group, which contributes to society by delivering the wonderful works created by creators to fans around the world so that they can enjoy them, thereby playing a part in the cycle that leads to the creation of even more amazing works.

Business: DVDs, CDs, books, magazines, radio, goods, games

Event and musical planning, production, sales, film distribution

Address: 4F & 5F Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Place, 22-17 Higashi-Ikebukuro 3-chome, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Masahide Tsuji

Established: August 2002

Official site:

Official X account: @frontier_works

Official YouTube channel:

Official Facebook: