A new book turns its attention to the money, people, and strategy behind the anime industry. Anime Business: The Anime Literacy That Makes Manga, Novels, and Anime 100 Times More Interesting, written by anime producer Yusuke Onuki and supervised by Bushiroad president Takaaki Kidani, went on sale on August 12, 2026, from Sogo Horei Publishing.
About the Book
"Why do isekai reincarnation stories keep increasing?"
"Why are there so many remakes lately?"
"Does a great original work guarantee an anime adaptation?"
These are questions anime fans have likely asked themselves at least once. Anime Business uses them as a starting point, explaining from a working producer's perspective how a title comes into being and reaches its audience.
Bringing a single anime to the screen involves far more than the animation studio — publishers, original creators, production committees, TV networks, streaming platforms, music companies, advertising and promotion, merchandising, and overseas distribution all play a part.
Whether a title is likely to fetch a good price for overseas streaming, whether it is likely to become a topic on social media, and whether it pairs well with music or merchandise — these are among the many judgments that go into a decision, rather than simply "because it's interesting."
The book shines a light on the "money," "people," and "strategy" behind these decisions, unpacking a side of the anime business that normally stays out of view.
Understanding how the industry works opens up a new way to enjoy anime — thinking about why a particular title got adapted in the first place.
The book is not written only for people aiming to work in the anime industry. It's aimed at a wide readership: anime fans who want to enjoy their favorite shows on a deeper level, as well as aspiring manga artists and novelists, and students and businesspeople who want to work in the anime and entertainment industry.
Once you know the business behind a work, familiar anime can look a little different. Anime Business is presented as a new kind of literacy for watching anime.
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1: Why Do Isekai Reincarnation Stories Keep Increasing? — Anime and Marketing
- Chapter 2: Is the Supply of Anime-Adaptable Original Works Running Out?! — The Relationship Between Anime and Source Material
- Chapter 3: The Young People Who Don't Watch Anime — Anime and Viewers
- Chapter 4: What Happens Before an Anime Is Finished? — Anime and the Production Site
- Chapter 5: How to Build a Life in the Anime Industry — Anime and Careers
About the Author
Yusuke Onuki (Onuki Yusuke)
President and CEO of Bushiroad Move Inc.; Director of Bushiroad Works Inc.; President and CEO of gamebiz Inc. Onuki began his career at a television station, working in new content production and client sales, before joining the Bushiroad Group. His main work centers on committee formation, marketing, PR, sound, and production, and he has served as producer on titles including 転生貴族、鑑定スキルで成り上がる, 君のことが大大大大大好きな100人の彼女, and エリスの聖杯. He also founded the Anime Data Insight Lab, a research organization that statistically analyzes anime-related data to quantify market trends across anime titles.
About the Supervisor
Takaaki Kidani (Kidani Takaaki)
President and CEO of Bushiroad Inc., steering the entire Bushiroad Group as one of the entertainment industry's rare hitmakers. He grew Cardfight!! Vanguard, released in 2011, into a globally successful trading card game. Recognizing that "wrestlers are the ultimate characters," he merged the idea with his company's TCG business — turning real wrestlers into trading cards and, through anime-honed promotional know-how and massive advertising investment, fully reviving professional wrestling as "cutting-edge pop culture."
Book Information
- Author: Yusuke Onuki (President, gamebiz Inc.)
- Supervisor: Takaaki Kidani (President, Bushiroad Inc.)
- Price: ¥1,760 (tax included)
- Pages: 208
- ISBN: 978-4868380535
- Release Date: August 12, 2026
Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/0i9QKMi9
Giveaway Campaign
To celebrate the release of Anime Business, a giveaway campaign is being held, with prizes going to 50 winners chosen by lottery.
Campaign Period: August 12, 2026, 12:00 PM to August 31, 2026, 11:59 PM
How to Enter
- Follow the official account gamebiz (@gamebiznews) on X
- Repost the target post
For campaign details, check the gamebiz official X account, @gamebiznews.
