Aniplex

Aniplex, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社アニプレックス, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Anipurekkusu) is a Japanese entertainment company wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Founded in September 1995, the company is responsible for planning, producing, and distributing anime series, including original works and those based on licensed intellectual properties (IPs). It also engages in related multimedia initiatives.

Aniplex's operations encompass the development and distribution of theatrical films, video games, and merchandise associated with its media franchises. It also releases home media, produces original soundtracks, and organizes events such as musicals, stage performances, and promotional concerts. The company manages copyrights and licensing agreements, and operates an e-commerce platform, Aniplex Online, through which it sells products directly to consumers.

While Aniplex operates globally, it maintains two main regional branches: Aniplex of America, headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and Aniplex China, based in Shanghai. Together with its sister company Sony Pictures, Aniplex co-owns Crunchyroll, LLC, which operates an eponymous direct-to-consumer (DTC) anime streaming service with 120 million registered users.

Aniplex has produced numerous notable anime series such as Fullmetal Alchemist, Gurren Lagann, Monogatari Series, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Fate Series, Sword Art Online and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. It also operates and publishes the mobile game Fate/Grand Order.

Aniplex is a member of Association of Japanese Animations (AJA), a regular member of the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA), a supporting member of the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), and a member of the Japan Video Software Association (JVA).

Aniplex was established in September 1995 as a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan under the name SPE Music Publishing. In January 1997, following an investment made by Sony Music Entertainment Japan, it was renamed SPE Visual Works. In January 1998, it became a joint venture between SPEJ and SMEJ, inheriting Sony Music Group video productions, with the exception of SMEJ artists' music videos.

On January 1, 2001, the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan and adopted the name SME Visual Works. It rebranded as Aniplex on April 1, 2003, a name derived from the concept of "a complex of rights business derived from animation."

In 2004, Aniplex launched the Sugi Label in collaboration with composer Koichi Sugiyama, who is known for the Dragon Quest series soundtracks. The label was sold to King Records in 2009.