ABC Animation, a prominent Japanese animation planning, production, and content company, has announced its full entry into the music business with the establishment of its own music production company and label. This strategic expansion signals a significant move for the subsidiary of Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation, aiming to enhance its intellectual property (IP) control and diversify its content offerings. The inaugural project for this new venture will be the production of theme songs for the upcoming “Shūkan Ranobe Anime” (Weekly Light Novel Anime) program.
A Strategic Expansion in Anime Production
ABC Animation, formed in 2016 as a spin-off of ABC’s animation co-production business, has steadily grown its influence within the Japanese animation landscape. The company has been involved in the planning and production of various anime, including the long-running “Pretty Cure” series, and has acquired studios like Silver Link and Zero G Act, solidifying its position as a core company in the group’s animation business.
The decision to establish an in-house music production arm represents a natural progression for a company deeply invested in content creation. This move allows ABC Animation to exert greater creative control over the musical elements of its productions, fostering a more cohesive synergy between animation and sound. Traditionally, anime productions often outsource music creation to external studios or artists, which can sometimes lead to disjointed creative visions or complex licensing arrangements. By bringing music production in-house, ABC Animation can streamline workflows, potentially reduce costs, and ensure that the musical scores and theme songs are perfectly aligned with the anime’s narrative and aesthetic.
The Rationale Behind In-House Production
The trend of anime studios gaining more control over various aspects of production, including music, reflects a broader industry shift towards vertical integration. This allows companies to maximize the value of their intellectual properties beyond just broadcast rights. With direct ownership of music assets, ABC Animation can unlock new revenue streams through music sales, streaming royalties, live concert events featuring anime-related music, and merchandising. Furthermore, it empowers them to cultivate new talent, providing a platform for emerging artists within their ecosystem.
The Japanese music market remains robust, with strong physical sales and a dedicated fanbase for anime-related music. This environment makes in-house music production an attractive proposition, allowing studios to tap directly into this lucrative segment. The deep connection between anime and its accompanying music, where theme songs often become iconic and integral to a series’ identity, underscores the importance of this strategic move.
First Project: Shūkan Ranobe Anime Program
The newly formed music unit’s debut project is providing the opening and ending theme songs for “Shūkan Ranobe Anime” (Weekly Light Novel Anime). This program is a new “Light-novel Anime” project, which will feature four distinct anime works, each adapting original stories from popular light novel authors and featuring character designs from popular illustrators.
The program’s format is particularly interesting: short anime works initially released as vertical anime for smartphones on platforms like YouTube Shorts, with re-edited horizontal versions for television broadcast. “Shūkan Ranobe Anime” is set to air in the Animazing!!! programming block on ABC TV, TV Asahi, and their affiliates, with a television broadcast starting on July 12, 2025.
For its inaugural musical offerings, voice actress Chihaya Yoshitake will perform the program’s opening theme song, “Hajimari no Aizu” (Signal of a Start), marking her solo artist debut. The ending theme song, “Gunjō to Mikan no Kanata” (Ultramarine and Incomplete Beyond), will be performed by voice actress Ayaka Nanase, featuring Takayuki “Kojiro” Sasaki. This selection highlights the synergy between voice acting talent and musical performance, a common and successful practice in the anime industry.
The Significance of Theme Songs
Theme songs, often referred to as Openings (OPs) and Endings (EDs), are critical components of the anime experience. Beyond simply introducing or concluding an episode, they serve as powerful branding tools, setting the tone for the series, enhancing emotional resonance, and fostering strong fan engagement. Iconic theme songs can become synonymous with an anime, contributing significantly to its cultural impact and longevity. By producing these in-house, ABC Animation can ensure a seamless integration of the music with the animated content, potentially leading to more memorable and impactful theme songs.
Impact on the Anime Music Industry and Future Prospects
ABC Animation’s full entry into the music business signals a growing trend of Japanese animation companies seeking greater control and monetization opportunities over their intellectual property. While external music labels and artists have historically played a vital role, the establishment of in-house music divisions like this could lead to more direct competition and potentially shift industry dynamics.
For ABC Animation, this move opens up significant future prospects. Beyond producing theme songs for their own anime, the new music company could explore releasing full soundtracks, character songs, and even venturing into music for projects outside of anime. The strategic acquisition of various studios and now a music arm positions ABC Animation as a more comprehensive media entity within the Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation, capable of orchestrating diverse content production and distribution from animation to music. This deeper integration of production capabilities ultimately strengthens their capacity to create, distribute, and monetize their creative content on a global scale.
