If you dive deep into the world of anime, you’ll realize that it’s more than just colorful characters, dramatic hair, and the occasional giant robot.
There’s also big money at play, and nobody knows how to turn pixels into yen better than Aniplex, Sony’s pride and joy in the anime realm.
So how did Sony, the makers of the PlayStation and that TV you watch Attack on Titan on, end up becoming a major player in the anime world? Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Aniplex Origins: The Birth of an Otaku Powerhouse
Before Aniplex was a billion-dollar machine cranking out your favorite anime, it was just a baby Sony offshoot born in 1995.
Aniplex originally started as Sony Pictures Entertainment Visual Works, which, let’s be honest, sounds like the name of an evil corporate overlord in an anime dystopia.
They were mostly focused on producing music and soundtracks for anime. So yes, you can thank them for those epic openings that get stuck in your head for weeks.
But things really started to change in the 2000s when they rebranded to Aniplex, and Sony realized that anime wasn’t just some nerdy subculture but a cultural juggernaut. And thus, the gears began turning in Sony’s anime war room.
In March 2005, Aniplex decided it was time to take their anime game global, so they packed up their figurative suitcases and set up Aniplex of America in sunny Santa Monica, California. Why? To spread the anime gospel to English-speaking fans and conquer the North and South American markets, of course.
But they didn’t stop there. A few months later, on May 9, they gave birth to A-1 Pictures, originally just meant to babysit a couple of their family-friendly series. Little did they know, this studio would grow up fast and soon become a full-blown anime production powerhouse, handling everything from heartwarming stories to mind-bending epics.
From Soundtracks to World Domination
Sony, the company that gave us the Walkman (ask your parents), quickly realized the goldmine it was sitting on. By 2005, they were investing more heavily in Aniplex, ensuring it had the resources to become the anime powerhouse it is today.
Fast forward to today, and Aniplex is basically the Disney of anime—except instead of princesses, we have magical girls fighting existential crises (hello, Madoka Magica).
Sony Music Entertainment Japan decided to level up the anime music scene and announced the launch of SACRA MUSIC, a label dedicated to anisong set to debut on April 1, 2017. And no, it wasn’t an April Fool’s prank. They kicked things off in style with a star-studded lineup, poaching 14 big-name artists from other Sony labels, including Aniplex-affiliated artist like LiSA, Kana Hanazawa, and TrySail.
But here’s the plot twist: SACRA MUSIC wasn’t content with just dominating Japan. In collaboration with Aniplex, they set their sights on global fame, planning to bring their artists to overseas stages and events. It’s like they said, “Why stop at Japan when the world can sing along to our anime bangers?”
So, in 2017, they acquired Funimation, the American company responsible for distributing anime in the West.
This allowed Sony to have full control over what you binge-watch on streaming platforms. And because one anime streaming service wasn’t enough, Sony then bought Crunchyroll in 2021 for a cool $1.175 billion.
With this move, Sony solidified its iron grip on anime distribution globally. If you’re streaming anime legally, there’s a good chance you’re handing your hard-earned cash to Sony somewhere along the line.
On April 2, 2018, their animation studio A-1 Pictures decided it was time for a makeover. They renamed their Kōenji Studio to CloverWorks. Fast forward to October same year, and CloverWorks officially moved out of A-1’s house, becoming its own independent company under the Aniplex umbrella.
Sony wasn’t just content with having Aniplex under their belt—they wanted to own the entire ecosystem.
Aniplex’s growth trajectory is like watching a shonen protagonist leveling up. They went from handling just music production to overseeing full-blown anime projects, like Sword Art Online, Demon Slayer, and every Fate series.
These shows aren’t just popular in Japan; they’re dominating globally. For instance, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train made over $500 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2020. That’s right—while Hollywood was limping along, anime was crushing it.
This success was no fluke. Aniplex is like the ultimate multitasker of the anime world. Not only are they busy making and distributing theatrical films, but they’re also knee-deep in video games, merch, home media, soundtracks, and even musicals. And if that wasn’t enough, they’re out here organizing live events to hype up their series, handling copyright like pros, and managing licensing deals.
Oh, and don’t forget Aniplex Online, their own e-commerce store where fans can snag their products directly—because why let a middleman get in the way of your latest anime merch haul?
Aniplex’s strategy was genius: tap into every aspect of the anime fan’s life. They didn’t just make the anime, they also produced the music, distributed the DVDs and Blu-rays, and marketed the heck out of the merchandise. And let’s be real—what’s an otaku’s life without an overpriced Nendoroid of their favorite character?
Aniplex and Video Games: Waifus and Gachas Everywhere
But wait, there’s more! Anime isn’t just about watching—it’s about playing. And by playing, I mean opening your wallet for gacha games (cue Fate/Grand Order players nodding solemnly).
Aniplex is no stranger to video games, and in fact, they’ve become quite adept at making games that will drain your life (and bank account). FGO, launched in 2015, is arguably their crown jewel in the mobile gaming world.
With over $6 billion in lifetime revenue, it’s not just a game—it’s a lifestyle. The gacha mechanics, which lure players into spending money for the chance to get their favorite character, has become the ultimate test of an otaku’s financial resolve.
Not to mention, Aniplex has also partnered with other game studios to bring anime adaptations to consoles, creating an all-encompassing world where anime isn’t just something you watch—it’s something you live (and spend a lot of money on).
The Future of Aniplex: More Anime, More Games, More Power
Where does Aniplex go from here? Well, given the runaway success of their anime and games, it’s safe to assume that they’ll continue to crank out even more content.
With Sony behind them, the possibilities are endless. They’ve already started working on projects that blend gaming and anime more closely, creating multi-platform experiences that blur the lines between watching and playing.
Plus, with streaming being bigger than ever, Sony’s acquisition of Crunchyroll and Funimation means that they have a massive global audience ready to consume whatever Aniplex dishes out next. It’s like being handed the keys to the world’s largest nerd theme park.
In the grand scheme of things, Sony’s foray into anime via Aniplex was nothing short of genius. What started as a niche hobby has become a multi-billion-dollar global industry, and Sony’s at the center of it all, pulling the strings. Whether it’s through their anime, games, or streaming services, Sony and Aniplex have proven that they’re not just here to play—they’re here to win.
So, the next time you sit down to binge-watch your favorite series, just remember: somewhere in a fancy Sony office, there’s an executive in a suit thanking you for your otaku devotion. And maybe, just maybe, they’re also figuring out new ways to get you to roll for another 5-star waifu.
Stay strong, fellow fans. Stay strong.
