ABC Animation, a prominent entity within the Asahi Broadcasting Group, has officially announced its full-scale entry into the music business with the establishment of its own dedicated music label. This strategic expansion marks a significant diversification of the company’s content portfolio and aims to maximize value within the dynamic anime industry. The new music venture’s inaugural project will be the production of the opening and ending theme songs for the highly anticipated “Shūkan Ranobe Anime” (Weekly Light Novel Anime) program.
A Strategic Move into the Anime Music Landscape
The decision by ABC Animation to launch a music business aligns with a broader trend of anime production companies expanding their reach into the lucrative music sector, known colloquially as “anisong.” This market has seen substantial growth, with anime music streams on platforms like Spotify surging by 395% since 2021, underscoring its mainstream appeal globally. By establishing an in-house label, ABC Animation positions itself to directly manage and benefit from the musical components of its animated productions, fostering greater creative control and potentially new revenue streams. The company, founded in July 2016 as an animation program planning arm of Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation, has a history of involvement with successful anime titles such as Precure, Free!, and Violet Evergarden.
This move sees ABC Animation join a competitive but thriving landscape that includes established players like NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan, Warner Music Japan, and Pony Canyon, all of whom have robust music divisions dedicated to anime-related content. The integration of music production capabilities allows for a more cohesive development process, ensuring that the auditory experience of an anime perfectly complements its visual narrative.
“Shūkan Ranobe Anime”: A New Frontier for Light Novels
The focal point of ABC Animation’s new music initiative is the “Shūkan Ranobe Anime” program. This innovative project is described as a “Light-novel Anime” endeavor, set to feature four distinct anime works. Each of these works will adapt original stories penned by popular light novel authors, brought to life with character designs from renowned illustrators. This unique format aims to bridge the gap between popular serialized light novels and animated content, offering a fresh viewing experience for fans.
The short anime segments for the “Light-novel Anime” project were initially released in June as vertical anime for smartphones, distributed through platforms such as YouTube Shorts, with titles including “Shōshin Time Leap” and “Femme Fatale Ikusei Keikaku” already introduced. Following their digital debut, these works are being re-edited and adapted for horizontal screens for conventional television broadcast. The “Shūkan Ranobe Anime” program is scheduled to commence airing on July 12, becoming a part of the “Animazing!!!” programming block on ABC TV, TV Asahi, and their affiliated networks. This multi-platform approach highlights a forward-thinking strategy to reach diverse audiences, from mobile-first viewers to traditional television audiences.
The Voices Behind the Themes
The launch of the music label is significantly marked by the unveiling of the theme songs for “Shūkan Ranobe Anime.” The program’s opening theme song, “Hajimari no Aizu” (Signal of a Start), will be performed by voice actress Chihaya Yoshitake. This performance is particularly noteworthy as it signifies Yoshitake’s debut as a solo artist. Her involvement introduces a fresh voice to the anime music scene, backed by the support of ABC Animation’s newly formed label.
For the ending theme, the program features “Gunjō to Mikan no Kanata” (Ultramarine and Incomplete Beyond), performed by voice actress Ayaka Nanase, with a special appearance by Takayuki “Kojiro” Sasaki. The collaboration between a rising voice actress and an established musician for the ending theme suggests an effort to create both memorable and musically rich contributions to the series. The emphasis on dedicated theme songs performed by relevant artists underscores the importance of music in enhancing the overall narrative and viewer engagement for anime productions.
Future Implications for ABC Animation
ABC Animation’s expansion into music production suggests a broader strategy to solidify its position as a comprehensive content provider within the entertainment industry. By controlling the music aspect of its productions, the company can ensure higher quality, more tailored soundtracks, and potentially greater profitability through licensing and merchandise. This move could also open doors for nurturing new musical talent within the voice acting community, as seen with Chihaya Yoshitake’s solo debut.
As the anime market continues its global expansion, the integration of music and animation production becomes increasingly vital for intellectual property (IP) management and fan engagement. This strategic development by ABC Animation not only strengthens its capabilities but also signals its ambition to be a more formidable player in the creation and distribution of popular culture content.
