ABC Animation, a prominent player in the Japanese animation landscape, has officially broadened its operational scope by establishing a dedicated music production company and launching its own record label. This strategic expansion marks a significant step for the Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation subsidiary, which has historically focused on anime planning, production, and merchandising. The new music venture’s inaugural project sees it directly involved in the creation and release of the theme songs for the highly anticipated “Shūkan Ranobe Anime” program.
A New Harmony for ABC Animation
Founded in July 2016 as an animation program planning entity, ABC Animation has been instrumental in the development and marketing of numerous anime titles, including well-known series like “Precure” and various Kyoto Animation productions such as “Free!” and “Violet Evergarden”. The foray into music production represents a natural evolution for a company deeply embedded in the entertainment industry. By bringing music production in-house, ABC Animation gains greater creative control, streamlines production pipelines, and opens new revenue streams within the lucrative anime music market. This move allows the company to more holistically manage its intellectual properties, from visual storytelling to auditory branding.
The establishment of a dedicated music business suggests a long-term commitment to contributing to the vibrant anime music scene, an integral component of the industry’s success and fan engagement. This vertical integration could lead to more cohesive branding between anime series and their musical accompaniments, potentially fostering deeper connections with audiences and enhancing the overall appeal of their animated works.
“Shūkan Ranobe Anime”: A New Format Takes Centre Stage
The initial focus of ABC Animation’s music label is the “Shūkan Ranobe Anime” (Weekly Light Novel Anime) program. This innovative project is designed to adapt four original stories from popular light novel authors and illustrators into anime. The project initially launched with short-form, vertical anime content optimized for smartphone viewing, released as YouTube Shorts in June. Early releases included “Shōshin Time Leap” and “Femme Fatale Ikusei Keikaku,” setting the stage for a broader audience reach.
These smartphone-centric works are now being re-edited for horizontal screens and television broadcast, poised to premiere as the “Shūkan Ranobe Anime” program. The series is scheduled to begin airing on July 12 or July 13, 2025, as part of the “Animazing!!!” programming block across major Japanese networks, including ABC TV, TV Asahi, and their affiliates. This multi-platform approach highlights a forward-thinking strategy to capture diverse viewership, catering to both digital-native audiences and traditional television viewers.
The four distinct light novel adaptations featured in the program are:
- “Shōshin Time Leap”
- “Femme Fatale Ikusei Keikaku”
- “Jack the Reaper”
- “Marie Antoinette ni Tensei Shita node, Zenryoku de Guillotine wo Kaihi Shimasu”
This anthology format provides a platform for various narrative styles and genres, reflecting the rich diversity of the light novel medium. Misaki Umase is credited as the music composer for the overall project, ensuring a unified musical direction across the varied stories.
The Voices Behind the Themes
The success of an anime often hinges on the memorability and quality of its theme songs, which serve as crucial auditory gateways to the series’ world. For “Shūkan Ranobe Anime,” ABC Animation’s new label has enlisted notable talent for its opening and ending tracks.
The program’s opening theme song, “Hajimari no Aizu” (Signal of a Start), is performed by voice actress Chihaya Yoshitake. This release holds particular significance as it marks Yoshitake’s debut as a solo artist, underscoring the new label’s role in fostering fresh talent within the industry. Her performance is expected to set the tone for the varied narratives within the anime, offering an energetic and engaging introduction to each episode.
For the ending theme, “Gunjō to Mikan no Kanata” (Ultramarine and Incomplete Beyond), the program features a collaboration between voice actress Ayaka Nanase and Takayuki “Kojiro” Sasaki. This pairing promises a rich and nuanced sound that will provide a reflective or emotional conclusion to the weekly episodes. The combination of established voice acting talent with seasoned musical artists suggests a high production value for the soundtrack, crucial for attracting and retaining audience interest.
This strategic entry into music production by ABC Animation not only diversifies its business portfolio but also reinforces its position as a comprehensive content provider in the dynamic Japanese animation industry. By directly overseeing the musical aspects of its productions, the company is poised to create a more integrated and impactful experience for its audiences, starting with the promising “Shūkan Ranobe Anime” program.
