Kadokawa Announces Major Deal to Acquire Italian Manga & Novel Publisher Edizioni BD/J-Pop Manga
Discover how Kadokawa’s 70% share acquisition transforms Edizioni BD into a new subsidiary, reshaping the future of the publishing industry.
Kadokawa to Acquire Majority Stake in Italian Publisher Edizioni BD
Major Expansion in European Manga and Light Novel Market
Kadokawa, a leading Japanese publishing giant, has announced an agreement to acquire a 70% stake in Italian manga and light novel publisher Edizioni BD S.r.l (also known as J-Pop Manga).
While the acquisition is not yet complete, once finalized, Edizioni BD President and CEO Marco Schiavone will retain a 20% stake, and distributor Messaggerie Libri will hold 10%.
Kadokawa’s Vision: A "Global Media Mix with Technology"
Through this acquisition of the Milan-based Edizioni BD, Kadokawa aims to strengthen its European presence by translating and publishing manga, light novels, and related content. This move aligns with the company’s strategy to foster overseas collaborations and expand its international reach.
Key Points:
- Edizioni BD (J-Pop Manga) currently publishes around 500 manga and light novels annually in Italian.
- The company is known for introducing book designs in Italy that closely resemble Japanese editions, featuring covers and wraparound jacket bands.
Kadokawa’s Ongoing Expansion in Multimedia
Kadokawa’s acquisition of Edizioni BD follows recent strategic moves:
- February 2025: Kadokawa acquired CG animation studio Chiptune as part of a three-year plan to diversify its intellectual properties and boost multi-media production.
- July 2024: Kadokawa acquired anime studio Dōga Kōbō, further growing its anime portfolio.
Kadokawa’s Anime Studios Now Include:
- Dōga Kōbō
- ENGI
- Studio KADAN
- Raging Bull
- Chiptune
- The newly formed BELLNOX FILMS
Additionally, affiliated companies include Kinema Citrus and Studio Chizu.
Sony Deepens Partnership with Kadokawa
As of January 2024, Sony became Kadokawa’s largest shareholder, holding approximately 10% of shares. According to Sony's announcement, the companies will:
- Discuss adapting Kadokawa’s IP into global live-action films and TV dramas
- Co-produce anime and expand global distribution
- Publish more Kadokawa games
- Collaborate on human resource development for virtual production
Investment for Global Growth
Kadokawa plans notable investments from January 2025 to March 2030:
- 20 billion yen for creating, developing, and acquiring new IP
- 29.7 billion yen to enhance global IP distribution
Source: Kadokawa
Disclosure: Kadokawa World Entertainment (KWE), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation, is the majority owner of Anime News Network, LLC. Companies mentioned in this article are part of the Kadokawa Group of Companies.