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Aniplex and Kadokawa announced that they will jointly establish ANIMEC, a new film distribution company focused on animated works. According to the company’s official website, ANIMEC will specialize in the distribution, sales, and promotion of animated films. The name ANIMEC is a play on the word anime and also an anagram of cinema.
The company said it was founded with the goal of further expanding the popularity of animated films and supporting the growth of the industry. In a statement, it explained that it aims to maximize the appeal and value of each title through suitable release strategies. These plans include nationwide theatrical premieres as well as special screenings of TV anime. Working alongside the Sony Group and Kadokawa Group, the company said it hopes to bring more theatrical anime experiences to a wider audience.
The name ANIMEC also overlaps with a well-known anime magazine published from 1978 to 1987. This connection was officially acknowledged by both companies. Shinichiro Inoue, a former Director and Chief Anime Officer of Kadokawa who previously served as deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine, was contacted by Kadokawa and Aniplex before the new company’s name was finalized. This suggests that permission was obtained to use the name for the new venture.
