CORPORATE HISTORY

Road to Becoming a Mega-Content Provider:1994–2002

KADOKAWA SHOTEN emerges as a “mega software publisher,” breaking new ground in the IT business and taking a major step toward providing various multimedia services. At the same time, progress is made on improving the company’s management foundation by restructuring and separating ownership from management.

  • 1994

    The Celestine Prophecy tops the best-seller list. The magazine Kansai Walker is launched, with record sales. The comic magazine Shonen A(Ace) is launched. The KADOKAWA SHOTEN DISTRIBUTION CENTER is merged.

  • 1995

    50th anniversary of the company’s founding. Its headquarters is moved from the Hongo building to the newly constructed Fujimi building. Parasite Eve, the winner of the Second Japanese Horror Novel Prize, becomes a best-seller. The magazine Monthly The Television is launched.

  • 1996

    The magazine Tokai Walker is launched.

  • 1997

    The movies Lost Paradise and Evangelion each become groundbreaking hits. The magazine Kyushu Walker is launched.

  • 1998

    The blockbuster movie series Ring and Spiral are released. Creating a social phenomenon, author Koji Suzuki's original novel and paperback series experience record sales. The movie Sleepless Town is released. The magazine Yokohama Walker is launched. The Kadokawa Bunko Paperback 50th Anniversary Fair is held. ASMIC ACE ENTERTAINMENT is established. KADOKAWA SHOTEN is listed on the second section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

  • 1999

    The movies Ring 2 and Shikoku are successfully released. TOSKADOMAIN and KADOKAWA INTERACTIVE MEDIA are established. The magazine Marie Claire is published in a new format. The magazines Chiba Walker and Taipei Walker are launched. The new headquarters building is completed. A broad-based alliance is established with BERTELSMANN AG in Germany. KADOKAWA TAIWAN is established.

  • 2000

    MEGAPORT BROADCASTING and WALKERPLUS.COM are launched. The technical book label "Kadokawa One Theme 21" is launched. The magazines Kobe Walker, Hokkaido Walker, and SPORTS Yeah! are launched.

  • 2001

    WALKER ASIA ENTERTAINMENT is established in Singapore. SSCOMMUNICATIONS becomes an affiliated company. The "Kadokawa Beans Paperback" label is launched. The magazine Gundam A(Ace) is launched. The movie Calmi Cuori Appassionati is released, and the original novel and paperback become best-sellers.

  • 2002

    The movie Dark Water is released. The magazine Monthly BS&CS The Television is launched. MEDIAWORKS becomes an affiliated company. KADOKAWA DAIEI PICTURES is established.