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Kadokawa
Kadokawa is navigating a period of financial decline and legal scrutiny, while expanding its global manga and anime initiatives, including new partnerships, retail operations, and AI-assisted writing tools.
Synthesized from 30
Yomimono stories · updated
17h ago
Kadokawa's fiscal year 2026 results showed a 51.3% drop in operating profit, with the domestic publishing business posting a 1 billion yen loss. The company attributed the decline to over-reliance on isekai and narou-style fantasy, a lack of major anime sequels, and rising costs. In response, Kadokawa announced plans to reform its genre strategy, including a new steering committee and an early retirement program for employees aged 45 and older. The anime division also swung to a 465 million yen operating loss, down from a 4,729 million yen profit the previous year.
Legal and governance issues have surfaced. CEO Takeshi Natsuno survived a shareholder vote to oust him, backed by the board and a majority of shareholders over the demands of largest shareholder Oasis Management. Former chair Tsuguhiko Kadokawa appealed his bribery conviction and filed a defamation lawsuit against Natsuno and a lawyer. The Japan Fair Trade Commission issued a recommendation over Freelance Law violations, which Kadokawa acknowledged and said it was addressing.
Despite these setbacks, Kadokawa has pursued expansion. It formed Kadokawa Retail Ventures to run its U.S. Manga Spot stores, which have grown to ten locations. It launched the KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER to support overseas creators, and the World Manga Contest drew nearly 2,000 entries from over a hundred countries. New partnerships include a Marvel Comics deal for original manga and a joint AI novel editor with Hatena. The company also announced the closure of its Da Vinci magazine after 32 years, citing market changes.
Key facts
- Operating profit drop
- Kadokawa reported a 51.3% drop in operating profit for FY2026, with domestic publishing posting a 1 billion yen loss. ↗
- Anime division loss
- The anime division posted a 465 million yen operating loss, down from a 4,729 million yen profit the previous year. ↗
- CEO survives vote
- CEO Takeshi Natsuno retained his positions after a shareholder vote, with Oasis Management's 15.25% stake failing to oust him. ↗
- Freelance law violation
- Kadokawa received a Japan Fair Trade Commission recommendation for violating the Freelance Law, failing to state compensation in writing and pay by due dates. ↗
- U.S. retail subsidiary
- Kadokawa formed Kadokawa Retail Ventures to manage its U.S. Manga Spot stores, which have opened ten locations since May 2025. ↗
- World Manga Atelier
- Kadokawa launched the KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER on April 30, 2026, with an online portfolio review and an OnSITE event at Anime Expo 2026. ↗
- Marvel partnership
- Marvel Comics is partnering with Kadokawa for original manga volumes, starting with 'Spider-Man of Shibuya' and a Spider-Gwen series, serialization beginning before the end of 2026. ↗
- AI novel editor
- Kadokawa and Hatena are jointly developing RIKU, an AI novel writing support service, with a closed beta test application period until August 17, 2026. ↗
- Da Vinci closure
- Kadokawa's Da Vinci magazine will cease publication with its November 2026 issue, after 32 years. ↗
Timeline
- Aug 4, 2026 KADOKAWA and Hatena Jointly Develop AI Novel Editor RIKU
- Jul 27, 2026 Marvel Partners With Kadokawa for Manga Projects Starting This Year
- Jul 17, 2026 Kadokawa to Sell New Fate Goods at FGO Fes 2026, Including Newly Illustrated Merchandise
- Jul 15, 2026 Xross Stars Art Book Second Volume Gets September Release Date
- Jul 13, 2026 VISIONS 2027 Book Features 170 Artists, 169 First-Time Participants
- Jul 12, 2026 Sekiro: No Defeat Trailer Launches With Ticket Presales in Japan
- Jul 9, 2026 Kadokawa CEO Takeshi Natsuno Survives Shareholder Vote to Oust Him
- Jul 8, 2026 Abema to Stream 10 Kadokawa Anniversary Anime for Free in 2026
- Jul 7, 2026 Kadokawa Editor-in-Chief Shares Five Tips for Manga Success at Anime Expo
- Jun 27, 2026 VTuber Shikishima Tetora's First Essay Book Arrives in August
- Jun 19, 2026 Kadokawa Reveals Anime Expo 2026 Booth, Merchandise, and Panel Plans
- Jun 17, 2026 Former Kadokawa Chair Tsuguhiko Kadokawa Appeals Bribery Verdict, Sues Company President
- Jun 17, 2026 Indent Agent Handles Manga Adaptation of Nola Original Work
- Jun 15, 2026 Kadokawa's Isekai Pipeline Backfires as Profits Fall 51%
- Jun 11, 2026 Kadokawa Receives Japan Fair Trade Commission Recommendation Over Freelance Law Violations
- Jun 4, 2026 Young Ace July Issue Launches Two New Serializations
- Jun 4, 2026 Limit Zero Breakers Opens Additional Steam CBT Signups, VTuber Streams Announced
- May 31, 2026 Original Anime Films Struggle at the Box Office
- May 29, 2026 KADOKAWA World Manga Contest Winners Named
- May 28, 2026 Yu Shimizu's Howling Blaze Fantasy Light Novels Get Manga Adaptation
- May 28, 2026 Kokō Na Kanojo to, Kanojo no Heya de Shiteru Koto Light Novel Gets Manga Adaptation
- May 26, 2026 Kadokawa's Da Vinci Magazine to End Publication After 32 Years
- May 25, 2026 Sal Jiang's Wicked Spot Manga Ends in Two Chapters
- May 22, 2026 Three New Manga Series Launch in ASUKA's July Issue
- May 22, 2026 Kadokawa Reports 51.3% Profit Drop, Blames Isekai Oversaturation
- May 20, 2026 Kadokawa Admits Isekai Overreliance Led to Profit Collapse
- May 19, 2026 Kadokawa Launches World Manga Atelier to Support Overseas Creators
- May 17, 2026 Iron Wok Jan! Anime Adds Five Cast Members, Sets July 5 Premiere
- May 16, 2026 Agents of the Four Seasons Episode 8 Preview Arrives Ahead of May 16 Debut
- May 16, 2026 Kadokawa Forms Subsidiary to Run Its U.S. Manga Spot Stores
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Announced
- PC version distribution on DMM GAMES · 2026-08-20
- Announced
- VTubers from Re:AcT and Re:AcT Gaming will use KADOKAWA's YouTube MCN, the Creator Support Program (CSP) · 2026-08-11
- Announced
- full lineup for Anime Expo 2026, including dedicated exhibits for the 10th anniversaries of Re:Zero, KonoSuba, and Bungo Stray Dogs, plus a display for Sentenced to Be a Hero ahead of its second season · 2026-06-19
- Announced
- received a recommendation from the Japan Fair Trade Commission for violating the Freelance Law · 2026-06-11
- Announced
- formed a new subsidiary, Kadokawa Retail Ventures, to manage its Manga Spot bookstores in the United States · 2026-05-16
- Announced
- KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER (KWMA) initiative · 2026-05-19
- Announced
- Da Vinci magazine will cease publication with its November 2026 issue · 2026-05-26
- Release
- manga · 2026-06-17 · 2026-06-17
- Noted
- reported a 51.3% drop in operating profit for FY2026 · 2026-06-15
- Noted
- domestic publishing business posting a ¥1 billion loss · 2026-06-15
- Noted
- blamed over-reliance on narou-style fantasy and isekai · 2026-06-15
- Noted
- forecasts a recovery in FY2027 · 2026-06-15
- Noted
- failed to clearly state compensation conditions in writing and did not pay by the due date in past transactions with freelancers involved in publication production · 2026-06-11
- Noted
- apologized and said it has begun implementing preventive measures · 2026-06-11
- Noted
- Kadokawa Corporation reported a 51.3% drop in operating profit for FY2026, citing oversaturation of the isekai genre, a lack of major anime sequels, and rising costs. · 2026-05-22
Connections
- Produces
- konosuba god s blessing on this wonderful world this lovable city wants prosperity, seishun wa sankakukei no loop, uchu nanchara kotetsu kun, oe ariake hen, riku, sekiro no defeat, steins gate, shikishima tetora, limit zero breakers, howling blaze soen no kenshi, koko na kanojo to kanojo no heya de shiteru koto, iron wok jan, wicked spot
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/kadokawa.
CC BY 4.0.
Claim activity
When a claim about Kadokawa was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed manga 2026-06-17 Jun 18 · source
- Confirmed kadokawa produces howling blaze soen no kenshi May 28 · source
- Confirmed kadokawa produces koko na kanojo to kanojo no heya de shiteru koto May 28 · source
- Confirmed formed a new subsidiary, Kadokawa Retail Ventures, to manage its Manga Spot bookstores in the United States May 28 · source
- Confirmed KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER (KWMA) initiative May 28 · source
- Confirmed kadokawa produces sekiro no defeat May 28 · source
- Confirmed kadokawa produces iron wok jan May 28 · source
- Confirmed kadokawa produces wicked spot May 27 · source
- Confirmed Da Vinci magazine will cease publication with its November 2026 issue May 27 · source
All coverage
17h ago
KADOKAWA announced on August 20, 2026 that the PC version of the new KonoSuba game, KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! - Prosperity in This Beloved City! (abbreviated Machisuba), will be distributed on DMM GAMES. The game is a smartphone and PC title based on the KonoSuba anime and original light novel, retaining the series' worldview and characters while offering an original story. Natsume Akatsuki, the original author, supervises production, and Kurone Mishima, the original illustrator, provides production cooperation. The genre is described as an "another world trouble life RPG." The smartphone version is available for pre-registration on the App Store and Google Play, with a 2026 release planned. To mark the platform decision, a special stage program, "Machisuba Special Stage in TGS2026," will be held at the DMM GAMES booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026 on September 20, starting at 15:00. The stage will feature Jun Fukushima, the voice actor for protagonist Kazuma, and KADOKAWA game producer Taiki Fujii, who will share the latest information and highlights. The event will be viewable on-site and via a YouTube live stream.
2d ago
A US federal court ruled that three YouTube channels that clip KADOKAWA anime and add Korean narration and commentary are not protected by fair use. The court ordered YouTube to disclose the channel operators' personal information. The operators have appealed to the Ninth Circuit.
5d ago
KADOKAWA and EXING will run the online streaming event #CSP歌枠バトル Powered by カラオケJOYSOUND for STREAMER from August 12 to August 25, 2026. A total of 84 creators using the CSP program will compete in daily live streams using the JOYSOUND karaoke service's scoring function for the highest score, the Best Singing Award, and a commercial slot at JOYSOUND locations nationwide.
6d ago
KADOKAWA released Q1 FY2027 results on August 13. Net sales rose 5.3% year-on-year while operating profit fell 45.5%. The game segment declined against last year, when ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN contributed significantly. Publishing and IP creation grew on titles like Super Kaguya-hime!. FromSoftware has ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition and The Duskbloods scheduled from Q2 onward.
Aug 11
KADOKAWA and mikai announced that VTubers from Re:AcT and Re:AcT Gaming will use KADOKAWA's YouTube MCN, the Creator Support Program (CSP). The program allows secondary use of copyrighted works such as games, anime, and karaoke audio, enabling broader activities for the members.
Aug 11
Kei Hozumi and Mito's manga Seishun wa Sankakukei no Loop will end with its next chapter in the November issue of Kadokawa's Dragon Age magazine, releasing in October. The series, which follows a love triangle among three childhood friends, launched in March 2025. Its first compiled volume shipped on September 9.
Aug 10
Illustrator VTuber Nijipuka Nuhu, affiliated with MillionProduction, will release her first book, "Character ga Ugokidasu Illustration no Kyokasho: Zero kara Hajimete Umaku Naru Mahou no Hint," on October 5, 2026, through KADOKAWA. The 128-page B5-size textbook covers her methods for drawing character illustrations, including basic steps, her personal points of focus, designing original characters, drawing deformed mini characters, and creating animations, which are her signature work. The book also includes reading sections such as a one-question-one-answer segment and a Q&A corner, plus a special conversation with illustrator and VTuber Shigure Ui. Nuhu, who describes herself as a fully self-embodied VTuber handling her own character design and Live2D modeling, has over 380,000 YouTube subscribers as of July 2026. She became an official CLIP STUDIO PAINT ambassador in March 2026. The standard edition is priced at 2,090 yen including tax, while a Kadokawa Store special edition with an acrylic stand is available for 4,070 yen.
Aug 6
Kadokawa began streaming the opening sequence for the Uchū Nanchara Kotetsu-kun: Ukkari Detekita Uchūjin o Sagase! film on Thursday. The film opens in theaters on September 11 and centers on space pilot trainee Kotetsu, who hears about the possible existence of aliens and drives the whole academy to search for them. It combines anime footage with real footage of space, and the television anime cast reprises their roles.
Aug 6
The September issue of Kadokawa's Young Ace Magazine announced on Tuesday that ADELTA's Oe game will receive a manga adaptation by Medamayaki titled Oe: Ariake-hen, debuting in the October issue. The game follows a detective investigating an actress's island funeral. ADELTA released the complete edition in April 2025.
Aug 5
Kadokawa announced the FX Fighter Kurumi-chan TV anime will debut in October, with a key visual and promo video. New cast members include Asami Seto, Ayasa Ito, and Miho Okasaki. Aina Suzuki performs the ending theme and stars as Kurumi Fukuga.
Aug 4
KADOKAWA and Hatena announced the joint development of RIKU, an AI-powered novel writing support service, and opened applications for a closed beta test. The application period runs until 23:59 on Monday, August 17, and is open to people aged 18 and over who are writing novels or want to write in the future. RIKU is designed not to have generative AI write the work itself, but to support the author through dialogue, helping with character and worldview construction, idea organization, and proofreading and editing. The service operates under the theme "You write the story. A partner by your side," positioning the AI as a companion that listens and helps organize thoughts, while the user remains the main entity writing the story and text. Works created or input by users on the service will not be used for AI learning, addressing concerns about training data. The development combines KADOKAWA's editorial expertise, gained through dialogue with authors, with Hatena's experience in user-generated content services like Hatena Blog. The two companies previously collaborated on the web novel site Kakuyomu since 2016. The closed beta test will be available on Windows, Mac, smartphones, and tablets, and a free Google account is required to apply.
Jul 27
Marvel Comics is partnering with Kadokawa for a series of original manga volumes, starting with tokitokoro's "Spider-Man of Shibuya" and a Spider-Gwen series by Ryūsei Yamada. Serialization begins before the end of 2026. The collaboration follows the end of Marvel's contracts with Shueisha and Sho-Pro Books, and comes as Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski moves to oversee Asia Originals.
Jul 17
KADOKAWA will have a booth at Fate/Grand Order Fes. 2026 Chaldea School Festival on August 1-2, 2026, at Makuhari Messe. The booth will sell advance items from 14 Fate-related works, including newly illustrated goods for Fate/Grand Order: Fujimaru Ritsuka Doesn't Get It, Fate/Prototype: Fragments of Silver Blue, and others. Venue-limited clear cards and purchase bonuses are also planned.
Jul 15
KADOKAWA will release 'Xross Stars ART COLLECTION II' on September 16, 2026. The second art book for the trading card game features over 220 illustrations from the 'Exceed Rampage' and 'Broken Neonlights' booster packs. It includes an original PP ticket card. The game brings together VTubers from Vspo!, Crazy Raccoon, and Neo-Porte.
Jul 13
The 'VISIONS 2027 ILLUSTRATORS BOOK,' supervised by pixiv and published by KADOKAWA, will release on September 26. It includes works from 170 illustrators, with a cover by LAM. Of the 170, 169 are first-time participants in the series. The series has cumulative circulation over 410,000 copies worldwide.
Jul 12
Kadokawa, Crunchyroll, Qzil.la, and ARCH released a new trailer for the Sekiro: No Defeat anime adaptation and began ticket presales in Japan. The series premieres in Japanese theaters on September 4 for a three-week run, with a worldwide Crunchyroll stream planned later in 2026.
Jul 9
Kadokawa CEO Takeshi Natsuno retained his positions as CEO and board member after receiving enough votes at the company's 12th annual general meeting on Wednesday. Oasis Management, Kadokawa's largest shareholder with a 15.25% stake, had called for his removal, citing declining profitability since 2021. Kadokawa argued that removing Natsuno without a successor would disrupt reform efforts.
Jul 8
ABEMA announced a special project, 'KADOKAWA・ABEMA Anniversary Anime Selection,' offering free streaming of 10 KADOKAWA anime celebrating anniversaries in 2026. The lineup includes dedicated channels for five series, starting with Steins;Gate on July 11, and free marathon streams for five more. The project runs through the year.
Jul 7
Noboru Segawa, director and editor-in-chief of Kadokawa's Global Comics Department, gave a panel at Anime Expo 2026 on what it takes to create a successful manga. He outlined five key points: don't rush your first hit, develop a unique personality, prioritize compelling character creation, build radical trust with your editor, and attend portfolio review sessions. He cited examples of global creators published by Kadokawa from India and Vietnam.
Jun 27
VTuber and VSinger Shikishima Tetora will release her first essay collection, 'Opening a Can of Beer Alone in a Corner of Dystopia,' through KADOKAWA on August 20, 2026. The book covers alcohol, walks, scenery, and her personal background, and includes a vlog walk map, self liner notes, and drink recipes. A signed set is available for pre-order until July 8.
Jun 19
Kadokawa announced its full lineup for Anime Expo 2026, including dedicated exhibits for the 10th anniversaries of Re:Zero, KonoSuba, and Bungo Stray Dogs, plus a display for Sentenced to Be a Hero ahead of its second season. The booth will feature a cosplayer photo session, exclusive merchandise, and a producers roundtable panel.
Jun 17
Tsuguhiko Kadokawa announced he is appealing his guilty verdict in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics bribery case and filed a defamation lawsuit against Kadokawa CEO Takeshi Natsuno and internal investigation lawyer Tadashi Kunihiro, seeking 20 million yen in damages. He claims the company's internal investigation compromised his right to a fair trial.
Jun 17
Indent Co., Ltd. announced that the first volume of the manga adaptation 'The Abused Lady Was Supposed to Become the Second Wife of a Lewd Old Man in the Borderlands, but She Didn't Hear About Being Doted On by the Handsome Border Count!' went on sale June 17, 2026, via KADOKAWA's FLOS COMIC label. The original work was discovered through indent's Nola Agent Function, which connects works from over 700,000 writers to companies for commercialization. A second title handled by indent, 'The Mind-Reading Lady with One Year to Live Is Doted On by the Emperor Rumored to Be Cold and Ruthless,' also released its first volume the same day.
Jun 15
Kadokawa reported a 51.3% drop in operating profit for FY2026, with its domestic publishing business posting a ¥1 billion loss. The company blamed over-reliance on narou-style fantasy and isekai, saying a flood of titles produced work lacking originality. Total net sales rose 1.8% to ¥282.9 billion, and Kadokawa forecasts a recovery in FY2027.
Jun 11
Kadokawa announced on June 11, 2026, that it received a recommendation from the Japan Fair Trade Commission for violating the Freelance Law. The company failed to clearly state compensation conditions in writing and did not pay by the due date in past transactions with freelancers involved in publication production. Kadokawa apologized and said it has begun implementing preventive measures.
Jun 4
The July issue of Young Ace, released June 4, features the start of two new serializations: a new work by Roku Sakura titled "I Can't Die Until I Make My Childhood Friend Happy!!" and a manga adaptation of the theatrical anime "WASTED CHEF" directed by Takayuki Hirao. The former is a misunderstanding love triangle romantic comedy, while the latter is a sci-fi story about a chef in a world without taste.
Jun 4
NC Corporation announced on June 4 that it is recruiting additional participants for the Steam closed beta test of the action RPG Limit Zero Breakers. The Prologue Beta Test will run from June 11 to June 15 on Steam, iOS, and Android. The additional recruitment period for Steam players in Japan closes on June 8 at 23:59. Mobile platform signups have already ended. During the test, three VTubers will stream gameplay: Kogane Toto of Vspo! will stream solo on June 14 at 19:00, while Neo-Porte members Aruyo Inu and Kohaku Teto will collaborate on a joint stream on June 15 at 19:00. The game is being developed by VIC GAME STUDIOS and marketed by KADOKAWA. It is described as a free-to-play animation action RPG set in the land of Seraphia, where characters seek the God's Library, a legendary artifact said to grant wishes. The game is planned for release on PC via Steam and PURPLE, as well as smartphones.
May 31
A panel at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival argued that the growing gap between franchise and original anime films at the box office risks crowding out original works that serve as incubators for new talent. Original anime films have rarely earned more than ¥3 billion (US$19 million) domestically in recent years, while franchise films like Demon Slayer can reach ten times that amount. The panel included TMS Entertainment president Tadashi Takezaki, who noted that even among television shows and books, hit titles generate massive revenue while others barely register. The original anime film A New Dawn, from animator Yoshitoshi Shinomiya and co-produced by France's Miyu Productions, earned just ¥17 million (US$107,000) in its opening weekend in Japan, overshadowed by wider releases from established titles like Doraemon and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. High-quality franchise productions are also raising audience expectations for production quality, increasing costs and risk for original films, which can take four to five years to produce.
May 29
KADOKAWA has announced the winners of its World Manga Contest, which received 1,959 entries from 118 countries and regions. The competition was split into two categories: Manga With Dialogue and Wordless Manga. The Gold Prize in the Manga With Dialogue category went to "Cry or the witch will come" by Vietnam's Syo.Era. The Comic Alive Editorial Team praised the work for its "constantly shifting, unpredictable developments" and its balance of uniqueness and universal appeal. The Gold Prize in the Wordless Manga category was awarded to "Cells Within the Body." by Taiwan's Eli Lin. The Comic Regulus Editorial Team noted its detailed artwork and a narrative that begins quietly before a sudden, shocking turn. Silver and Bronze Prizes in the Manga With Dialogue category went to "Deus sniper" by France's Shinamori and "START AT NULL" by Switzerland's 2AM Productions, respectively. In the Wordless Manga category, Silver went to "BOW" by Vietnam's Light Comic Studio and Bronze to "Hitokuji" by Taiwan's Murji. Five honorable mentions were also named. Gold Prize winners receive US$10,000, Silver US$5,000, and Bronze US$3,000. All winning works will be published on KADOCOMI, and creators will receive editorial support toward potential serialization, though there is no plan to serialize the winning works themselves.
May 28
The July issue of Kadokawa's Comic Alive magazine revealed that Yu Shimizu's Howling Blaze light novel series is getting a manga adaptation by artist koko. The manga will launch in the magazine's next issue on June 26. The fantasy story follows Witch Hunter Kaori Tsukimiya on the island of Karyujima, where she meets the White Flower Witch Fiona.
May 28
The July issue of Kadokawa's Comic Alive magazine announced that Yu Hibari's light novel Kokō na Kanojo to, Kanojo no Heya de Shiteru Koto is getting a manga adaptation by Mugiko. The manga will launch in the magazine's next issue on June 27. The story follows opposites Kotori Nabata and Takumi Hashio, who share a secret routine.
May 26
Kadokawa announced on May 26 that its Da Vinci magazine will cease publication with its November 2026 issue, shipping on October 6. The magazine, which covered literary subculture, manga, anime, and voice actor topics, has been published since April 1994, when it was launched by Recruit's publishing arm Media Factory. Kadokawa acquired Media Factory in 2011 and continued the magazine under the Media Factory brand after a 2013 merger. The company cited dramatic changes in the publishing market and the diversification of how readers consume information as reasons for the closure. The sister website Da Vinci Web will continue operating, and Kadokawa plans to develop the site further. Over its run, the magazine featured covers including My Hero Academia, One Piece, and Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Wandering; Agateram with voice actors Mamoru Miyano and Maaya Sakamoto. It also published an annual Book of the Year list each December, which included the editorial staff's top 30 manga picks.
May 25
Sal Jiang announced on X on Sunday that the manga Wicked Spot will conclude with its 16th chapter. Kadokawa published the 14th chapter on May 22, and the 15th chapter is scheduled for June 26. The series debuted in October 2024 on Kadokawa's KadoComi app under the CandleA brand. Kadokawa shipped the first compiled volume in February 2025, and Kodansha USA released the first English volume on May 26. The story follows Sadako, a centuries-old sorceress who becomes an internet sensation after revealing she is a witch, and Hanako, a young woman with superhuman strength who becomes her hater. Jiang's previous works include Black and White: Tough Love at the Office from Seven Seas and Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko from Tokyopop, the latter of which inspired two live-action series.
May 22
The July issue of ASUKA, released May 22, features three new serializations: Akira Nagano's "Yoru no Tobari Shokudo," a mysterious diner love story; Soyogo Iwaki's "Gaiaku dakedo Totte Kuremasu ka?" about a cosplayer going viral; and Kei Kanjō's "Ai ga Iru nara Kimi de Ii," a youth love suspense tale.
May 22
Kadokawa Corporation reported a 51.3% drop in operating profit for FY2026, citing oversaturation of the isekai genre, a lack of major anime sequels, and rising costs. The publisher's anime division posted a 465 million yen operating loss, down from a 4,729 million yen profit the previous year.
May 20
Kadokawa has acknowledged that an overreliance on isekai and narou-kei formulas contributed to a 51.3% drop in operating profit for the fiscal year ending March 2026. The company plans to reform its genre strategy, including a new steering committee and an early retirement program for employees aged 45 and older.
May 19
Kadokawa Corporation has launched the KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER (KWMA) initiative, starting April 30, 2026, to help overseas manga creators debut in Japan. The program includes an online portfolio review platform and in-person sessions, with the first OnSITE event at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles from July 2 to July 5.
May 17
The television anime adaptation of Shinji Saijyo's cooking manga "Iron Wok Jan!" has revealed five new cast members, a July 5 premiere date, and a main promotional video. The seven-member dance vocal group Genin wa Jibun ni Aru. performs the opening theme song "Hien" (Fire Banquet). New cast additions include Masuo Amada as Nichido Otani, M.A.O as Celene Yang, Takahiro Sakurai as Kei Sawada, Taishi Murata as Tomohide Jun, and Yusuke Kobayashi as Yuji Kawahara. Previously announced lead cast members are Kikunosuke Toya as Jan Akiyama, Ikumi Hasegawa as Kiriko Gobancho, Kohei Amasaki as Takao Okonogi, and Kenjiro Tsuda as narrator. Ei Aoki (Fate/Zero, Aldnoah.Zero) directs the series at studio TROYCA, with Makoto Uezu handling series scripts and Masako Matsumoto designing characters. The anime will air Sundays at 5:30 p.m. JST on TV Tokyo and its affiliates. The original manga ran in Weekly Shonen Champion from 1995 to 2000 across 27 volumes, and the franchise has over 10 million copies in circulation.
May 16
Wit Studio released preview images for the eighth episode of Agents of the Four Seasons on Wednesday, two days before the episode airs on Saturday, May 16. The spring 2026 series adapts Kana Akatsuki and Suoh's light novel, which began publication under ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Bunko imprint in April 2021. Ken Yamamoto directs the adaptation, with Ayumu Hisao writing the scripts and Namiko Torii designing the characters. Kensuke Ushio composes the music. The story follows Hinagiku, the Agent of Spring, who disappeared ten years ago and took the season with her. She returns to restore the cycle and, as the myth demands, sends her love to Winter. The light novel has four volumes released so far and is ongoing. A manga adaptation by Nappa Komatsuda also runs alongside it. Yen Press licenses both the light novel and the manga in English. The anime premiered on March 28, 2026, and the new preview gives the first look at the episode before its weekend broadcast.
May 16
Kadokawa created a new subsidiary, Kadokawa Retail Ventures, to manage its growing chain of Manga Spot bookstores in the United States. The publisher has opened ten locations since its first store launched in May 2025, placing them in cities from New York and Chicago to smaller hubs like Grove City, Pennsylvania, and Ketchikan, Alaska. Kurt Hassler, who leads Yen Press and Kadokawa World Entertainment, will run the new retail unit. Hassler previously helped Borders and Waldenbooks build their manga sections. He told a podcast last year that the chain aims to go where there is less competition from existing comic shops and that shopping malls remain a viable location, pointing to the survival of specialty retailer Hot Topic. The move comes two and a half years after Kadokawa began its North American marketing push. The company sees direct retail as a way to get more face time with customers, a problem Hassler said most publishers share.
May 16
The anime adaptation Sekiro: No Defeat will open in Japanese cinemas on September 4, 2026, for a limited three-week run. Kadokawa, Crunchyroll, Qzil.la, and ARCH announced the date alongside a new main visual. Crunchyroll confirmed the series will stream exclusively on its platform later in 2026. The production committee also released a statement that no generative AI is used in the adaptation, a response to audience concern after studio Qzil.la was chosen. Qzil.la is known for work involving AI technologies. Kenichi Kutsuna directs, with Takuya Satou writing the screenplay and Takahiro Kishida designing the characters. The voice cast includes Daisuke Namikawa as Wolf, Miyuki Satou as Kuro, and Kenjiro Tsuda as Genichiro Ashina. The story adapts FromSoftware's game, following the shinobi Sekiro and the Divine Heir during the warring Sengoku period as Ashina faces an internal threat.