Asmik Ace
Asmik Ace is a Japanese film and anime production and distribution company, wholly owned by J:COM Co., Ltd. It produces theatrical films, TV anime, and short-form digital content, distributing through cinema chains, TV networks, and streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and ABEMA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Asmik Ace does
Asmik Ace, Inc. (アスミック・エース株式会社) is a Japanese entertainment production and distribution company headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of J:COM Co., Ltd., a major Japanese cable TV and telecommunications conglomerate. Founded circa 1983, the company produces and distributes theatrical films (live-action and animated), television anime series, and short-form digital content. Its product portfolio spans core theatrical and anime releases plus sub-brands including STUDIO sauce (vertical short dramas produced with KDDI/au), CINEMUNI (emerging filmmaker development with DOKUSO Cinema), and Amazing! Films (catalog collection).
The company generates revenue through multiple streams: theatrical film distribution in Japan, TV broadcasting rights licensing to networks including TBS, TV Tokyo, BS11, and AT-X, digital streaming licensing to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ABEMA, U-NEXT, d anime store, and other VOD platforms, production committee participation fees and backend revenue, and distribution through J:COM Group's own cable and streaming infrastructure. Its go-to-market is sales-led, leveraging production committee structures, direct platform licensing relationships, and the J:COM parent's distribution network. Content is marketed via official social media channels (X, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, LINE), premiere events, and press coverage across major Japanese media outlets.
Asmik Ace serves two primary customer segments: general entertainment consumers accessing content through theatrical, broadcast, and streaming channels, and B2B licensing counterparties (streaming platforms and TV broadcasters). The company has received international recognition including the Annecy Crystal Award for Best Feature Film (2023) and Cannes official selections. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary technology platforms, or app products are disclosed; the business is built on traditional media production and licensing workflows rather than technology differentiation.
Asmik Ace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Asmik Ace
- Legal name
- アスミック・エース株式会社
- Website
- https://asmik-ace.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Asmik Ace is a Japanese film and anime production and distribution company, wholly owned by J:COM Co., Ltd. It produces theatrical films, TV anime, and short-form digital content, distributing through cinema chains, TV networks, and streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and ABEMA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Asmik Ace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Asmik Ace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Film Distribution: Theatrical distribution of films produced or co-produced by Asmik Ace, including theatrical releases in Japan and international sales of distribution rights.
- TV Broadcasting Rights: Licensing of anime and drama content to TV broadcasters for scheduled programming slots.
- Streaming Platform Licensing: Digital distribution through platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ABEMA, U-NEXT, d anime store, and others. Content distributed via exclusive and non-exclusive streaming deals.
- Production Services: Asmik Ace serves as production company and production partner for film and anime projects, contributing to production committees and earning revenue through production fees and backend participation.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Asmik Ace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Asmik Ace is a Japanese entertainment production and distribution company that operates across the full entertainment value chain — from IP development and production to theatrical, broadcast, and streaming distribution. The company produces theatrical films (live-action and animated), television anime series, and short-form digital content, licensing and distributing them through cinema chains, TV networks, and major streaming platforms in Japan and internationally.
Product overview
Asmik Ace is a Japanese entertainment production and distribution company (a J:COM group company) that operates across the full entertainment value chain from production to distribution. The company produces theatrical films (live-action and animated), television anime series, and short-form digital content. Distribution channels include theatrical release, digital streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ABEMA, etc.), and TV broadcast. Special projects include the 'STUDIO sauce' vertical short-drama brand (with KDDI/au) and 'CINEMUNI' creator film development initiative (with DOKUSO theater). The company also offers its catalog through the 'Amazing! Films' collection.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- STUDIO sauce: Short drama production brand jointly operated with KDDI (au), producing vertical-format short dramas for TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms.
- CINEMUNI
- Amazing! Films
Products and services
- Movies (映画)
Companies that use Asmik Ace
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Asmik Ace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Asmik Ace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ame pippin Inc. (Masaaki Yuasa's Studio)coreAsmik Ace participates as a co-founder in the new animation studio ame pippin Inc., established by renowned director Masaaki Yuasa (known for 'Mind Game', 'Kemonozume', 'The Tatami Galaxy', 'Inu-Oh'). Asmik Ace joins Aniplex and Comics Wave Film in this venture to support Yuasa's creative projects.
- KDDI Corporation (au)coreAsmik Ace and KDDI (au brand) jointly established the short drama project 'STUDIO sauce,' producing vertical-format short dramas for TikTok and YouTube. KDDI provides the 'au' brand identity and mobile user reach; Asmik Ace provides film production expertise. The project launched in August 2024 with content distributed for free on social media platforms.
- J:COM GroupcoreAsmik Ace is a subsidiary of J:COM Group (JCOM株式会社). The company operates as part of the J:COM Group, leveraging the parent's broadcast, cable, and streaming infrastructure. J:COM Group's corporate philosophy guides Asmik Ace's multi-stakeholder engagement. Recruit information directs candidates to J:COM's recruiting page.
- DOKUSO Cinema (CINEMUNI Project)minorAsmik Ace and DOKUSO Cinema co-operate on the 'CINEMUNI' project, a next-generation creator film development initiative aimed at fostering emerging filmmakers.
- Aggressive Real Film Partners (TV anime co-productions)minorFor TV anime productions, Asmik Ace partners with animation studios and production committees including Madhouse, Cycro Graphs, LIDENFILMS, project No.9, SILVER LINK, CONNECT, and旭プロダクション, among others.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Asmik Ace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Aniplex: Anime production and distribution subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Closely comparable to Asmik Ace's anime production, global streaming licensing (notably with Crunchyroll), and theatrical distribution.
- Toei Animation: Major Japanese anime production and distribution studio with a globally recognized IP catalog. Comparable to Asmik Ace's anime production and licensing business, including co-production via production committees.
- Pony Canyon: Japanese music and video distribution company (Fujisankei Communications Group). Comparable to Asmik Ace in anime and video distribution, including streaming and home video.
- Shochiku Co., Ltd. Long-established Japanese film production and distribution company with significant theatrical and streaming operations. Comparable to Asmik Ace's theatrical film distribution and content licensing business.
- Toho Co., Ltd. Japan's leading theatrical film production and distribution company. Directly comparable to Asmik Ace as both produce and distribute motion pictures in Japan, with overlapping anime and live-action portfolios.
- Kadokawa Corporation: Japanese publishing, anime, and film conglomerate. Comparable to Asmik Ace in anime/film production and IP monetization, with a stronger upstream manga IP base.
Broad incumbents
- Nippon Television Holdings: Japanese broadcaster and content production group. Comparable to Asmik Ace in TV drama and anime production, with broader reach through the Nippon TV network.
- TBS Holdings: Major Japanese broadcaster (TBS network) that licenses anime content from Asmik Ace. Comparable as a broader media incumbent producing and commissioning entertainment content, though at significantly larger scale.
- Bandai Namco Holdings: Japanese entertainment conglomerate with anime, games, and IP operations. Comparable to Asmik Ace in anime IP development and global merchandising, though at much larger scale.
Regional players
- Avex Group Holdings: Japanese entertainment group spanning music, anime, and digital content. Comparable to Asmik Ace in entertainment IP production and multi-platform distribution in the Japanese market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Asmik Ace social profiles
Digital presenceAsmik Ace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Asmik Ace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Asmik Ace subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Asmik Ace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Asmik Ace M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Asmik Ace
What does Asmik Ace do?
Asmik Ace is a Japanese entertainment production and distribution company that operates across the full entertainment value chain — from IP development and production to theatrical, broadcast, and streaming distribution. The company produces theatrical films (live-action and animated), television anime series, and short-form digital content, licensing and distributing them through cinema chains, TV networks, and major streaming platforms in Japan and internationally.
Is Asmik Ace a public or private company?
Asmik Ace is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Asmik Ace founded?
Asmik Ace was founded in 1983. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Asmik Ace based?
Asmik Ace is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Asmik Ace make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Film Distribution is the primary driver. The others are TV Broadcasting Rights, streaming Platform Licensing and production Services.
Who are Asmik Ace's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Aniplex, Toei Animation, Pony Canyon, Shochiku Co., Ltd., Toho Co., Ltd. and Kadokawa Corporation. Broad incumbents are Nippon Television Holdings, TBS Holdings and Bandai Namco Holdings. Avex Group Holdings is listed as a regional player.
Does Asmik Ace have an API?
No public API is recorded for Asmik Ace.