Aniplex

Lore & Background

Aniplex was established in September 1995 as a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan under the name SPE Music Publishing. It underwent several name changes—SPE Visual Works in 1997, SME Visual Works in 2001—before rebranding as Aniplex on April 1, 2003, a name derived from 'a complex of rights business derived from animation.' The company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan on January 1, 2001. In 2004, it launched the Sugi Label with composer Koichi Sugiyama, which was sold to King Records in 2009. Aniplex founded A-1 Pictures in 2005, and later spun off CloverWorks as a direct subsidiary in 2018. It also established subsidiaries Aniplex of America (2005) and Aniplex (Shanghai) (2019), and acquired stakes in figure manufacturer Revolve (2017), Madman Anime Group (fully acquired in 2019), and Live2D (2018).

Reader's Guide

Aniplex has played a central role in the global anime industry as a producer and distributor of major franchises, including Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Sword Art Online, and the Fate series. Through its subsidiaries and joint ventures—such as co-owning Crunchyroll with Sony Pictures and establishing Funimation Global Group—it has expanded international streaming and licensing. The company also operates the mobile game Fate/Grand Order, acquired the game development division of Delightworks (forming Lasengle), and launched the visual novel brand ANIPLEX.EXE. Its investments in 3DCG animation (Boundary), figure manufacturing (Revolve), and music labels (SACRA MUSIC) reflect a strategy of vertical integration across anime-related media. Aniplex is a member of the Association of Japanese Animations, the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, the Recording Industry Association of Japan, and the Japan Video Software Association.

Did You Know?

• Aniplex was originally founded as SPE Music Publishing in September 1995, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan.
• The company rebranded as Aniplex on April 1, 2003, with the name derived from 'a complex of rights business derived from animation.'
• Aniplex co-owns Crunchyroll, LLC with its sister company Sony Pictures; the streaming service has 120 million registered users.
• In 2022, Aniplex acquired the game development division of Delightworks, including the Fate/Grand Order team, forming the subsidiary Lasengle.