Kodansha Opens Hollywood Studio Led by Chloe Zhao for Manga Adaptations

Kodansha Ltd., a major Japanese publishing company, has established Kodansha Studios in Hollywood to produce live-action movies and TV series based on its popular manga and novels. The studio will be led by Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao as Chief Creative Officer and film producer Nicolas Gonda as President and COO, aiming to bridge Japanese and Western entertainment cultures and maintain creative control over adaptations. Kodansha Studios represents a strategic move to expand Japanese intellectual properties internationally while protecting authors' rights and ensuring faithful adaptations. The company seeks to leverage its extensive library, including titles like "Attack on Titan" and "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime," by connecting Japanese creators with global filmmakers. Kodansha's CEO Yoshinobu Noma emphasized the commitment to inspiring stories and accelerating partnerships with global artists and studios. Zhao expressed a personal connection to manga and hopes to foster cross-cultural understanding and empower creators through the new studio.