GoHands is being acquired by U-NEXT HOLDINGS as a wholly owned subsidiary, with the deal set to close on June 1, 2026.
U-NEXT HOLDINGS announced on May 25 that it has signed a share transfer agreement to acquire all shares of GoHands Co., Ltd., the animation studio behind series such as "Seitokai Yakuindomo" and "Momentary Lily." The acquisition is scheduled to close on June 1, making GoHands a wholly owned subsidiary of the streaming and publishing conglomerate. Founder Ringo Kishimoto is selling the studio to U-NEXT.
In a press release, U-NEXT HOLDINGS stated that the move is intended to combine GoHands' animation production capabilities with the company's video distribution platform U-NEXT, building an integrated system from original IP creation through animation production to distribution. The company cited three expected synergies: cost optimization by using GoHands' facilities and know-how for localization work that currently relies on external studios and staff; productivity and quality improvements by applying U-NEXT's digital technology to production management and data collaboration; and direct animation adaptation of in-house publishing IPs, including original books and comics.
The acquisition reflects a broader strategy to strengthen revenue through IP-related businesses and compete in the global market for Japanese animation. The Animenomics newsletter separately reported the acquisition as part of a trend of streaming services moving toward in-house production to control licensing costs.
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The Animenomics newsletter reports that the Iran-US war has driven naphtha prices in Japan to a four-year high, raising costs for manga printing. Separately, streaming service U-NEXT is acquiring anime studio GoHands from founder Ringo Kishimoto, and Itochu has invested in a San Francisco character licensing agency.
U-NEXT HOLDINGS announced on May 25 that it has signed a share transfer agreement to acquire all shares of GoHands Co., Ltd., the animation studio behind series such as "Seitokai Yakuindomo" and "Momentary Lily." The acquisition is scheduled to close on June 1, making GoHands a wholly owned subsidiary of the streaming and publishing conglomerate. In a press release, U-NEXT HOLDINGS stated that the move is intended to combine GoHands' animation production capabilities with the company's video distribution platform U-NEXT, building an integrated system from original IP creation through animation production to distribution. The company cited three expected synergies: cost optimization by using GoHands' facilities and know-how for localization work that currently relies on external studios and staff; productivity and quality improvements by applying U-NEXT's digital technology to production management and data collaboration; and direct animation adaptation of in-house publishing IPs, including original books and comics. The acquisition reflects a broader strategy to strengthen revenue through IP-related businesses and compete in the global market for Japanese animation.