AGP Executive Report

Global Reach: Japan’s SHIFT Inc. has opened a Bahrain headquarters to help bring anime, manga, games and other Japanese entertainment to Middle Eastern audiences. Manga Business: Shueisha says IP-related ventures now account for half its revenue, while digital manga sales hit ¥527.3 billion in 2025 as print sales fell 14%. Publishing Shift: Manga magazine Opera will end its print run with issue 100 and move to digital-only publication in spring 2027. Tokyo Art: Art Week Tokyo is drawing visitors to exhibitions and venues across the capital, with new installations and programs including a video series that takes viewers off the usual route. Screen Controversy: Sanrio has ended its collaboration with spy drama Vivant after backlash in China over torture scenes.

Film: Godzilla Minus Zero brought stars Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe to the Tokyo International Film Festival, while Hirokazu Kore-eda is adapting a manga for his latest feature. Anime & Manga: Japan’s animation industry reached a record $28.2 billion in 2025, powered by domestic and overseas sales; One Piece was the year’s bestselling manga, with more than 4.2 million copies sold. Ghibli at Home: Miniature papercraft sets recreating rooms from Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Arrietty go on sale November 3. Digital Art: TeamLab plans to bring its immersive installations to California with a permanent museum.

Anime: Japan’s animation industry hit a record $28.2 billion in 2025 as domestic and overseas sales climbed. A new Bocchi the Rock! film, focused on Nijika and her sister, is also planned for 2027 ahead of season two. Japanese Film: Godzilla Minus Zero brought stars Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe to Tokyo International Film Festival, where director Takashi Yamazaki drew an enthusiastic ovation. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film, adapted from a manga, is another festival highlight. Art: New Orleans Museum of Art’s “Second Nature” presents around 60 Edo-period Rinpa paintings from the Gitter-Yelen collection, many rarely shown publicly, through Feb. 14, 2027. Immersive Art: teamLab is planning a permanent museum in Southern California, bringing the Japanese collective’s digital installations to a new audience.

Japanese Cinema: The cast of Godzilla Minus Zero brought stories of a roaring Hollywood reception to the Tokyo International Film Festival, ahead of the film’s Japanese opening. Director Hirokazu Koreeda, meanwhile, says adapting manga Look Back prompted fresh questions about why people create. Anime & Games: Japan’s anime industry reached a record $28.2 billion in 2025 as domestic and overseas sales grew. At its Tokyo fan festival, Square Enix delayed Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold to Feb. 23 and unveiled new job Zephyr. Art & Craft: Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold, celebrates rather than hides the cracks. Tennis: Canada’s Leylah Fernandez reached the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo, where she is set to face Russia’s Diana Shnaider.

Anime Boom: Japan’s animation industry hit a record ¥4.45 trillion ($28.2 billion) in 2025, up 15.8%, with overseas spending still the largest share and domestic sales also growing. Manga and Anime: One Piece reclaimed Japan’s annual manga sales crown with 4.2 million copies, while Miki Yoshikawa’s Hiragi-san’s House of Vampires is getting a TV anime adaptation. Games: Square Enix revealed Zephyr, a new Final Fantasy XIV job, at its Tokyo Fan Festival; the Evercold expansion is due February 23, 2027. Screen Controversy: Sanrio ended its tie-up with drama Vivant after backlash over torture scenes depicting Chinese agents. Manga Legacy: Tetsuya Chiba, creator of boxing classic Ashita no Joe, has died at 87.

TV and Pop Culture: Sanrio has ended its tie-up with Japanese spy drama Vivant and apologized after scenes depicting torture drew criticism in China. Anime: Japan’s animation market hit a record $28.2 billion in 2025, with domestic spending driving much of the growth. Film: Keanu Reeves is voicing the lead in Hidari, a Japanese stop-motion samurai epic showcased at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Manga: Tetsuya Chiba, creator of boxing classic Ashita no Joe, has died at 87. Tennis: Leylah Fernandez reached the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo, beating Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets.

Anime Boom: Japan’s anime industry grew 15.8% to a record ¥4.45 trillion ($28.2 billion) in 2025, with both domestic and overseas sales contributing. Sanrio Fallout: Hello Kitty maker Sanrio ended its tie-up with the hit drama Vivant after backlash in China over torture scenes. Tokyo Film Festival: The festival opened with Sukiyaki, as organizers spotlighted Japanese cinema and its global ambitions. New Releases: A 60-minute Pole Princess!! CG film is set for a two-week Japan theatrical run from Jan. 29, while MAZZEL’s “Touch” topped the Japan Hot 100. Manga Legacy: Tetsuya Chiba, creator of boxing classic Ashita no Joe, has died at 87. TeamLab Abroad: The Japanese art collective is behind a planned 110,000-square-foot museum in Anaheim, California, slated to open in 2030. Japanese Honors: Cate Blanchett received the Praemium Imperiale, praising the importance of resisting “unthinking certainty.”

Tokyo Tennis: Elena Rybakina secured the year-end No. 1 ranking at the Pan Pacific Open, then withdrew from her quarterfinal with an injury. Anime Boom: Japan’s animation industry grew 15.8% in 2025 to a record $28.18 billion, with overseas sales making up nearly 57% of revenue. Culture Clash: Sanrio has ended its Hello Kitty tie-up with spy drama Vivant and apologized after backlash in China over the show’s portrayal of Chinese agents. Art Abroad: TeamLab is planning its first permanent U.S. museum in Anaheim, extending the Japanese collective’s immersive digital art to a new audience. Manga Legacy: Tetsuya Chiba, creator of the landmark boxing manga Ashita no Joe, has died at 87. Japanese Screen Ambitions: Amazon MGM Studios plans to double investment in original Japanese content, as Tokyo’s film market draws attention to global reach and the importance of creators retaining IP rights.

Screen & Streaming: Sanrio has ended its tie-up with Japanese drama Vivant after backlash in China over its portrayal of Chinese agents. At the Tokyo content market, Amazon MGM said it plans to double investment in Japanese originals, while TBS highlighted Korea-Japan collaborations. Immersive Art: TeamLab plans to open its first permanent U.S. exhibition in Anaheim in 2030. The Japan-born collective says the 110,000-square-foot venue will feature a new work, not a copy of an existing show. Anime & Manga: Veteran director Rintaro warned that AI could discourage independent thinking and steer creators toward familiar ideas. Manga legend Tetsuya Chiba, creator of Ashita no Joe, has died at 87. Tokyo Film Festival: The festival opened with Sukiyaki as organizers and industry leaders made the case for a bigger global profile for Japanese cinema.

Screen Backlash: Sanrio has ended its Hello Kitty merchandise tie-up with Japanese spy drama Vivant after backlash in China over the show’s depiction of Chinese agents torturing a Japanese operative. Music Goes Interstellar: Osaka’s Nov. 20–21 MAMA Awards will add a citywide fan festival and crossovers with film, animation and art. KATSEYE has also added an Asia-Pacific tour leg, opening in Yokohama on Jan. 27. Japan’s Music Bridge: Producer Taka Perry, who worked on KATSEYE’s “Touch,” says he hopes to connect Japanese artists with international collaborators while preserving the country’s distinctive sound. Manga Farewell: Tetsuya Chiba, creator of boxing classic Ashita no Joe, has died at 87, prompting tributes from fellow artists and fans. More Japanese Originals: Amazon MGM Studios says it will double investment in original Japanese content, as producers at Tokyo’s industry market discuss keeping control of the stories and characters they create.

Manga: Tetsuya Chiba, the legendary creator of boxing classic Ashita no Joe, has died at 87, prompting tributes across Japan’s anime and manga community. Entertainment Business: Amazon MGM Studios Japan plans to double its investment in original content, as Japanese producers voice frustration over making hit works without retaining their intellectual property. Anime licensing platform AniBiz has also raised $6 million from TBS, Toei Animation and TV Tokyo Holdings. Games: Bandai Namco unveiled Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 3, a free-to-play team combat game for PS5 and PC with cross-play. Film: Tokyo’s film market is drawing attention to Japanese cinema’s global ambitions, with industry leaders calling for stronger international reach and support. Art: An Andrew Wyeth retrospective has opened in Osaka, featuring 15 works shown in Japan for the first time.

Content Investment: Amazon MGM Studios says it has doubled investment in Japanese originals, spanning live-action, anime and films. At TIFFCOM, producers behind One Piece and Kingdom discussed adapting Japanese IP for audiences at home and abroad. Fan Culture: Japan’s fandom economy is growing as digital platforms reshape stardom and how fans spend on talent and characters. Tokyo Spotlight: Naomi Osaka marked her return to Tokyo’s Pan Pacific Open with a crane-patterned, kimono-inspired outfit before beating Jasmine Paolini. Film and Anime: Tokyo’s film festival has put Japanese cinema’s global momentum and production support in focus, while TBS, Toei Animation and TV Tokyo have invested in AniBiz, a new anime licensing platform. Manga Legacy: Tetsuya Chiba, creator of boxing classic Ashita no Joe, has died at 87.

Tokyo Tennis: Naomi Osaka marked her Pan Pacific Open return with a crane-patterned, kimono-inspired look, then beat Jasmine Paolini in straight sets. She called the Tokyo appearance a homecoming. Tokyo Film Festival: The festival opened with Sukiyaki, a drama inspired by singer Kyu Sakamoto’s global hit, as organizers called for stronger support for Japanese cinema. Cultural Losses: Manga legend Tetsuya Chiba, creator of Ashita no Joe, has died at 87. Novelist and filmmaker Ryu Murakami, known for Almost Transparent Blue, died at 74. Gaming Honors: Super Mario and Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto will become the first video game creator to receive Japan’s Order of Culture. Music on TV: TBS will air highlights from BTS’ Tokyo Dome concert on Nov. 5, revisiting the group’s first Japan show together in nearly four years.

Manga: Tetsuya Chiba, creator of the landmark boxing series Ashita no Joe, has died at 87. The manga helped shape postwar popular culture, and Chiba’s 2024 Order of Culture was the first for a manga artist. Tokyo Film Festival: The 39th festival opened with a call to boost Japanese cinema and creative exports. At its Tokyo events, the Academy also said it plans to expand the festivals whose top prizes qualify films for the International Feature Oscar. Global Cinema: Japanese director Naomi Kawase will lead the Doha Film Festival’s international feature jury in November. Meanwhile, Godzilla Minus One director Takashi Yamazaki is preparing his first English-language film, Grandgear, with Sam Nivola and Nico Parker set to star. Games: Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto has received Japan’s Order of Culture, becoming the first video game creator to earn the honor. Literature: Cult novelist and filmmaker Ryu Murakami, best known for Almost Transparent Blue, has died at 74.

Games & Culture: Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto will receive Japan’s Order of Culture, becoming the first video game creator to earn the nation’s top cultural honor. Literature: Novelist Ryū Murakami, whose debut Almost Transparent Blue sold more than 3.5 million copies, has died at 74. Tokyo Cinema: The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival has opened, spotlighting Japanese cinema and building anticipation for Godzilla Minus Zero; director Naomi Kawase will also lead the Doha Film Festival jury. Anime & Film: Kaiju No. 8 will conclude with a 2027 movie, while Japan’s actors’ union is pressing for stronger limits on AI reproductions of deceased performers. Art & Fashion: A Tokyo retrospective traces Mariko Mori’s futuristic vision across three decades, and Ralph Lauren’s first PoloFest drew collectors and fans to a vintage marketplace.

Games: Steins;Gate Re:Boot arrives on consoles and Switch 2 on Oct. 29, with a new ending, revised dialogue and a remade soundtrack. Film: Tokyo’s new Yami International Film Festival has named psychological horror short Night Feeds, starring May Calamawy, as its opening film; the festival runs Nov. 20–26. Figure skating: Japan’s Ami Nakai won the Grand Prix de France, rallying to take the women’s title after a fall by fellow Japanese skater Yuna Aoki. Cultural honors: Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto will become the first game designer to receive Japan’s Order of Culture; anime director Rintaro was also named a Person of Cultural Merit. Literature: Cult novelist Ryu Murakami, author of Almost Transparent Blue, has died at 74.