Kodansha
Seiji Noma established Kodansha in 1909 as a spin-off of the Dai-Nippon Yūbenkai, also known as the Greater Japan Oratorical Society. The company launched its first publication, a literary magazine called Yūben, that same year. In 1911, the publisher formally merged with the oratorical society and adopted the name Kodansha from a now-defunct magazine titled Kōdan Club. The organization has used its current legal name since 1958. Members of Noma's family continue to own the company either directly or through the Noma Cultural Foundation. The headquarters in Tokyo once housed Noma Dōjō, a kendo practice hall established by Seiji Noma in 1925. That hall was demolished in November 2007 and replaced with a new dōjō nearby.
Kodansha publishes manga magazines targeting diverse demographics including shonen, shojo, and seinen audiences. Weekly Shōnen Magazine began circulation in 1959 and remains active today. Monthly Shōnen Magazine started in 1975 while Shōnen Sirius launched monthly in 2005. Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine appeared as a monthly title in 2009. Nakayoshi serves female readers as a monthly magazine since 1954. Bessatsu Friend joined the roster in 1965 for young women. Dessert became a monthly publication in 1996. Weekly Young Magazine targets adult men starting in 1980. Morning operates weekly since 1982 under its original name Comic Morning. Afternoon runs monthly since 1986. Evening served readers from 2001 until 2023. The company also produces literary magazines like Gunzō and lifestyle publications such as Hot-Dog Press which closed in 2004.
Revenues dropped due to the 2002 recession in Japan and an accompanying downturn in the publishing industry. The company posted a loss in the 2002 financial year for the first time since the end of World War II. In the 2003 financial year, Kodansha had revenues of ¥167 billion compared to ¥150 billion for Shogakukan. At its peak, Kodansha led Shogakukan by over ¥50 billion in revenue. The second-largest publisher, Shogakukan, has done relatively better during this period. Kodansha implemented strategies for revenue stabilization against competitors like Shogakukan following these losses. The organization continues to operate as the largest publisher in Japan despite these challenges.
The company announced that it was closing its English-language publishing house, Kodansha International, at the end of April 2011. Their American publishing house, Kodansha USA, will remain in operation. Kodansha USA began issuing new publications under the head administrator of the international branch, Kentaro Tsugumi, starting in September 2012 with a hardcover release of The Spirit of Aikido. On the 21st of March 2023, Kodansha announced a manga distribution service called K Manga which was initially launched exclusively in the United States on the 10th of May 2023. It started approximately with 400 titles, of which 70 were simultaneous publications of ongoing series. On the 21st of October 2024, it was announced that the service became available in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. On the 4th of February 2025, the service had expanded to the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Mexico, and Brazil. By the 24th of June 2025, the service had expanded to over 30 countries.
In October 2016, Kodansha acquired publisher Ichijinsha and turned the company into its wholly owned subsidiary. On the 30th of November 2022, Kodansha announced an extended partnership with Disney to release anime originals based on its manga exclusively on video streaming service Disney+. On the 24th of May 2024, Kodansha announced that they acquired publisher Wani Books and turned it into a wholly owned subsidiary. The Kodansha company holds ownership in various broadcasting companies in Japan including King Records and Nippon Cultural Broadcasting. In the 2005 takeover-war for Nippon Broadcasting System between Livedoor and Fuji TV, Kodansha supported Fuji TV by selling its stock to Fuji TV. The organization also owns shares in Kobunsha and sponsors Tokyo Disneyland officially.
Kodansha sponsors the Kodansha Manga Award which has run since 1977 and since 1960 under other names. The company presents the Noma Prize for Literature alongside the Noma Literary Prize for New Writers. The Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for Literature honors outstanding works while the Edogawa Rampo Award recognizes mystery fiction. Kodansha organizes the Miss iD pageant which started in 2012 to discover diverse role models for the new era. The pageant allows married and transgender women to participate. Computer-generated character Saya and AI character Rinna were semifinalists in the 2018 pageant. Holders of the title include actress Tina Tamashiro, singer Rie Kaneko, and musician Ena Fujita. The Japan Foundation awarded Kodansha a Special Prize in 1994.
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Common questions
When was Kodansha established and by whom?
Seiji Noma established Kodansha in 1909 as a spin-off of the Dai-Nippon Yūbenkai. The company launched its first publication, a literary magazine called Yūben, that same year.
What manga magazines does Kodansha publish for different demographics?
Kodansha publishes manga magazines targeting diverse demographics including shonen, shojo, and seinen audiences. Weekly Shōnen Magazine began circulation in 1959 while Nakayoshi serves female readers as a monthly magazine since 1954.
How did Kodansha perform financially during the 2002 recession in Japan?
Revenues dropped due to the 2002 recession in Japan and an accompanying downturn in the publishing industry. The company posted a loss in the 2002 financial year for the first time since the end of World War II.
When did Kodansha launch its K Manga distribution service and where is it available now?
On the 21st of March 2023, Kodansha announced a manga distribution service called K Manga which was initially launched exclusively in the United States on the 10th of May 2023. By the 24th of June 2025, the service had expanded to over 30 countries.
Which companies has Kodansha acquired or partnered with recently?
In October 2016, Kodansha acquired publisher Ichijinsha and turned the company into its wholly owned subsidiary. On the 24th of May 2024, Kodansha announced that they acquired publisher Wani Books and turned it into a wholly owned subsidiary.