Kodansha
Kodansha is a privately held Japanese publishing company founded in 1909 that publishes manga, books, and magazines through owned digital platforms and a catalog of 100+ IPs including Attack on Titan and Ghost in the Shell, monetized via print, streaming licensing, merchandise, and international joint ventures.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1909
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Kodansha does
Kodansha Ltd. is a privately held Japanese general publishing company founded in 1909 and headquartered in Tokyo, operating one of Japan's largest manga and book publishing portfolios. The company publishes weekly, monthly, and web-based manga magazines including Weekly Shonen Magazine, Nakayoshi, Afternoon, Evening, Morning, and Young Magazine, alongside general books, children's literature, and light novels, supported by owned digital reading platforms (K MANGA, Comic DAYS, Yanmaga Web, Palcy) and broad ebook distribution through Kindle, Piccoma, LINE Manga, Rakuten Kobo, and other services.
Its core business model combines traditional and digital manga publishing with multi-channel IP monetization. Revenue streams include subscription and unit sales of print and digital manga (manga publishing), licensing of IPs for anime production committee participation and streaming rights (e.g., Crunchyroll Manga library, 400+ titles), licensing for merchandise manufacturing (JAKKS Pacific for toys and collectibles), and direct international publishing through the 81%-owned India joint venture launching in New Delhi in autumn 2026. Kodansha also operates an internal creator development pipeline through the Kodansha Manga Awards (50th edition in 2026), the Cinema Creators Lab filmmaker grant program, and branded transmedia film initiatives like LIGHT HOLE.
The company serves a global customer base that includes Japanese and international manga readers, anime and entertainment streaming platforms (Crunchyroll, Prime Video), merchandise manufacturers and retailers (JAKKS Pacific, Roblox UGC ecosystem, Disney+ short-form distribution), and emerging overseas readerships in markets such as India. Strategic positioning centers on leveraging an extensive IP catalog of 100+ properties including Attack on Titan (140M+ copies in circulation worldwide), Ghost in the Shell, AKIRA, and Gachiakuta across print, digital, anime, streaming, merchandise, UGC gaming, and theatrical formats, supported by active copyright enforcement and government-backed AI translation initiatives.
Kodansha firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kodansha
- Legal name
- KODANSHA LTD.
- Website
- https://kodansha.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1909
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Kodansha is a privately held Japanese publishing company founded in 1909 that publishes manga, books, and magazines through owned digital platforms and a catalog of 100+ IPs including Attack on Titan and Ghost in the Shell, monetized via print, streaming licensing, merchandise, and international joint ventures.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kodansha industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Manga Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (51313), Periodical Publishers (513120), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Manga Publishing (Japanese & Global) (MPAJAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital Comics, Manga & Serialized Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAJ), Children’s & All-Ages Comics Publishing (MPAJAGAI), Adult/Seinen/Josei Comics Publishing (MPAJAGAJ)
Keywords
Where Kodansha is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Kodansha business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Manga Publishing: Traditional print and digital manga publishing through owned magazines and comic imprints
- IP Licensing and Streaming Rights: Licensing manga IPs to streaming platforms like Crunchyroll for anime and manga distribution
- Merchandise Licensing: Licensing IP for toys and collectibles to manufacturers like JAKKS Pacific
- International Publishing Joint Venture: Direct publishing operations in India through joint venture with 81% Kodansha ownership
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Kodansha product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kodansha publishes manga magazines (Weekly Shonen Magazine, Nakayoshi, Afternoon, Morning, Young Magazine), literary books, children's publications, and digital comics through its proprietary K MANGA, Comic DAYS, Yanmaga Web, and Palcy platforms. The company licenses its intellectual property for anime adaptations, merchandise, and gaming, while running creator support programs including the Kodansha Manga Award and Cinema Creators Lab.
Product overview
Kodansha operates as a comprehensive publishing ecosystem comprising multiple digital manga reading platforms (K MANGA, Comic DAYS, Yanmaga Web, Palcy) alongside print publishing. The company offers a weekly manga magazine lineup including Weekly Shonen Magazine, Monthly Shonen Magazine, Young Magazine, Morning, Afternoon, and others, alongside general books, magazines, and children's publications. Consumer-facing digital services include K MANGA for manga distribution, Comic DAYS for serialized web manga, and the Cocreco parenting platform. The company supports creators through the Kodansha Manga Award and Kodansha Cinema Creators Lab grant program. Distribution spans physical retail, e-book platforms (e-BookJapan, Kindle, comic tme, d-book, Piccoma, Manga Kingdom, Mecha Comic, LINE Manga, Rakuten Kobo), and streaming partnerships with Crunchyroll. International expansion includes subsidiaries in North America and India.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kodansha Comics: English language manga publishing division
- K MANGA
- コクリコ (Cocreco)
- Bilbio Sirius
- Weekly Shonen Magazine
- Morning
- Nakayoshi
- Young Magazine
Products and services
- K MANGA Digital manga reading platform offering Kodansha's comic catalog for online access, supporting multiple formats including standard chapters and micro-content versions. Targeted at manga readers globally.
- Comic DAYS (コミックDAYS) Web-based manga reading service offering serialized manga chapters, accessible through web browsers without dedicated app installation. Targeted at manga readers who prefer browser-based consumption.
- Yanmaga Web (ヤンマガWeb) Manga serialization platform featuring works from Young Magazine and related labels, available on web browsers. Targeted at seinen manga readers.
- Palcy (パルシィ) Digital manga reading app for smartphones and tablets, offering Kodansha's catalog for mobile reading. Targeted at mobile-first manga readers.
- Kodansha Cocreco (講談社コクリコ) Children's and parenting information platform featuring articles on pregnancy, childcare, health, education, and entertainment content for families. Targeted at parents and families in Japan.
- Kodansha Manga Award (講談社漫画賞) Award ceremony recognizing excellence in manga across multiple categories including shonen, shjo, general, and children's divisions. Targeted at manga creators and industry professionals.
- Kodansha Cinema Creators Lab Film grant program providing 10 million yen to independent filmmakers, helping productions secure selections at over 60 international film festivals. Targeted at independent filmmakers globally.
- Weekly Shonen Magazine (週刊少年マガジン) Weekly shonen manga magazine serializing popular manga titles including Attack on Titan and Gachiakuta. Targeted at shonen manga readers.
- Nakayoshi (なかよし) Shojo manga magazine serializing manga titles targeted at young female readers. Targeted at shojo manga readers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Attack on Titan has over 140 million copies in circulation worldwide
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kodansha
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kodansha technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Kodansha partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.
- Dai Nippon Printing Co. (DNP)coreJoint venture for India market entry with Kodansha holding 81%, DNP 14%, and IJK 5% stakes. Operations begin autumn 2026 in New Delhi to publish and distribute manga titles including Attack on Titan and Blue Lock for the Indian market with INR 95 million capital.
- IJ Kakehashi Services (IJK)minorJoint venture partner for India market entry alongside DNP, holding 5% stake. Joint venture established to publish and distribute Kodansha manga in India targeting growing market.
- Seven Seas EntertainmentminorSeven Seas Entertainment handles English license for 'The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King' manga series serialized in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shonen Magazine.
- The Walt Disney Company JapanstrategicStreaming partnership to bring 20 curated short films from SSFF & ASIA 2026 to Disney+ starting July 31, 2026. Kodansha President Yoshinobu Noma highlighted Kodansha Cinema Creators Lab success.
- CrunchyrollcorePartnership to bring 23 Kodansha manga series to Crunchyroll Manga, including flagship titles Attack on Titan, Fire Force, BAKEMONOGATARI, and Tokyo Revengers. Expands Crunchyroll Manga library to over 400 titles as part of Ani-May celebration.
- N Lite Anime StudiostrategicPartnership to co-develop Mfinda manga prequel serialized in Kodansha's Biblio Sirius Magazine in 2026. Deal notable as one of first instances of major Japanese publisher co-developing manga from original IP conceived by global studio.
- Science SarucoreScience Saru is producing the new Ghost in the Shell anime adaptation in collaboration with Bandai Namco Filmworks and Kodansha. Series directed by Mokochan, streaming globally on Prime Video from July 2026.
- Bandai Namco FilmworkscoreCo-production partner for Ghost in the Shell anime adaptation alongside Science Saru and Kodansha. Series scheduled to premiere July 2026 on Prime Video.
- JAKKS PacificcoreLicensing partnership to design, manufacture, market, and sell toys and collectibles inspired by Kodansha anime properties, starting with Attack on Titan and Gachiakuta. Distribution planned across specialty, online, DTC, collector-focused platforms, and major retailers.
- RobloxcoreKodansha joined Roblox's IP licensing platform enabling creators to build experiences featuring Kodansha franchises on the platform. Part of Roblox's goal to capture 10% of global gaming content revenue.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kodansha competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Shueisha: Japan's largest manga publisher (Weekly Shonen Jump, One Piece, Dragon Ball). Direct competitor across both Japanese-domestic publishing and global English-language distribution through its VIZ Media subsidiary.
- Kadokawa: Major Japanese publisher of manga, light novels, and anime-adjacent media. Directly competes in serialized manga magazines (e.g., Monthly Shonen Ace) and anime adaptation production committees.
- Shogakukan: Japanese manga and book publisher; co-owner of VIZ Media with Shueisha. Competes head-to-head with Kodansha in shonen, shojo, and seinen manga segments and is a co-plaintiff in the manga piracy litigation.
- Square Enix: Publisher of manga through Gangan Comics labels and Monthly Shonen Gangan magazine. Directly comparable as a Japanese publisher operating both a gaming franchise business and a serialized manga catalog.
- Yen Press: US-based manga and light novel publisher, joint venture between Kadokawa and Hachette. Direct competitor to Kodansha Comics for English-language licensing of Japanese manga titles.
- Seven Seas Entertainment: Independent English-language manga publisher; an existing Kodansha licensing partner (English license for The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King). Operates in the same niche-market English manga segment targeted by Kodansha Comics.
Broad incumbents
- VIZ Media: Largest English-language manga publisher and distributor in North America, owned by Shueisha and Shogakukan. Competes directly with Kodansha USA/Kodansha Comics for shelf space and digital reader mindshare in Western markets.
- Dark Horse Comics: Long-established US graphic novel publisher with translation editions of Japanese manga. Competes for high-end graphic novel reader dollars and awards in the same category where Kodansha titles have won Eisner and Harvey Awards.
- Marvel Entertainment: Global comics and transmedia entertainment incumbent; cited alongside Kodansha, Shueisha, and Kadokawa as a peer in the global comic book market. Comparable as a comics-IP-to-entertainment franchise operator.
Others
- Crunchyroll (Sony): Anime/manga streaming platform and a Kodansha channel partner for 23 manga series on Crunchyroll Manga. Important distribution relationship as well as ecosystem participant shaping global anime-linked manga consumption.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kodansha social profiles
Digital presenceKodansha compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Kodansha financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kodansha leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Kodansha subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Kodansha funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kodansha M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments14 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kodansha
What does Kodansha do?
Kodansha publishes manga magazines (Weekly Shonen Magazine, Nakayoshi, Afternoon, Morning, Young Magazine), literary books, children's publications, and digital comics through its proprietary K MANGA, Comic DAYS, Yanmaga Web, and Palcy platforms. The company licenses its intellectual property for anime adaptations, merchandise, and gaming, while running creator support programs including the Kodansha Manga Award and Cinema Creators Lab.
Is Kodansha a public or private company?
Kodansha is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Kodansha founded?
Kodansha was founded in 1909. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Kodansha based?
Kodansha is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Kodansha make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Manga Publishing is the primary driver. The others are IP Licensing and Streaming Rights, merchandise Licensing and international Publishing Joint Venture.
Who are Kodansha's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Shueisha, Kadokawa, Shogakukan, Square Enix, Yen Press and Seven Seas Entertainment. Broad incumbents are VIZ Media, Dark Horse Comics and Marvel Entertainment. Crunchyroll (Sony) is listed as an others.
Does Kodansha have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kodansha.
What industry is Kodansha in?
Kodansha's product category is Manga Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAGAA, Manga Publishing (Japanese & Global), with a secondary code of BPAMAJAJ, Digital Comics, Manga & Serialized Reading Platforms. Its NAICS code is 51313 and its SIC code is 2731.