Kadokawa and Aniplex Create Animec, a Joint Venture to Distribute Anime Films

Kadokawa and Aniplex have announced the creation of Animec Inc., a joint venture specializing in the distribution and promotion of anime films. The new company will be headquartered in Tokyo and will seek to maximize the reach of each release, from domestic openings to special screenings of television series.

The name combines the words Anime and Cinema, and revives the title of an anime magazine published until the 1980s. Kadokawa informed Shinichiro Inoue, former deputy editor-in-chief of that publication and former representative director of the company, of the decision before adopting the name.

Hiroyuki Shimizu will serve as chairman of the board and Kei Horiuchi as president and CEO. Animec will operate alongside the Kadokawa and Sony groups, with the aim of offering anime cinematic experiences to a wider audience.

Originally published on Anitsu by Laura Martínez. Text reviewed and verified for DonOtaku on November 5, 2026; the original date is preserved.