KADOKAWA has officially entered into an agreement to acquire Edizioni BD S.r.l., one of Italy’s leading publishing companies, aiming to strengthen its presence in the European market through translated manga publishing. The share acquisition agreement was signed on May 14, 2025.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Milan, Edizioni BD publishes approximately 500 Japanese content titles annually in Italian, including manga and light novels. The publisher is known for its unique marketing initiatives—such as incorporating Japan-style covers and obi strips—to boost reader appeal. Through its flagship label “J-POP,” the company has cultivated a dedicated fanbase for Japanese titles and remains a key player in Italy’s manga publishing landscape.

This acquisition aligns with KADOKAWA’s global IP expansion strategy, which spans North America, Greater China, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Italy, second only to France in terms of market size, is regarded as a crucial hub for manga in Europe. The local market has flourished since Japanese anime began airing in the 1970s, and recent cultural initiatives such as the “Culture Pass” introduced in 2016 have further enriched the environment for youth-oriented content.

Marco Schiavone, CEO of Edizioni BD, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “It is truly awesome to be the first Italian publisher to be the subject of a direct investment by a major Japanese entertainment company. Our goal of being a direct thread between Japan and our readers will be able to be achieved even more strongly. We have found in KADOKAWA an attentive and curious interlocutor, very interested in the specificities of our market and country and intent on magnifying the work of my team. We have an ambitious and exciting journey ahead of us!.” Similarly, KADOKAWA CEO Tsuyoshi Natsuno remarked, “We aim to further expand our market presence in Italy by strengthening this partnership.”

KADOKAWA plans to leverage Edizioni BD not only to distribute its own titles but also to broaden the scope of translated manga and light novels available in Europe. The company also intends to expand related merchandise offerings and coordinate with its other European bases, including France, to solidify its overall regional presence.

The financial impact of this acquisition on KADOKAWA’s consolidated results for the current fiscal year is expected to be minimal. Nonetheless, the deal is seen as a strategic pillar in the company’s “Global Media Mix with Technology” vision, representing a significant step forward in its global media initiatives.

KADOKAWA plans to leverage Edizioni BD not only to distribute its own titles but also to broaden the scope of translated manga and light novels available in Europe. The company also intends to expand related merchandise offerings and coordinate with its other European bases, including France, to solidify its overall regional presence.

The financial impact of this acquisition on KADOKAWA’s consolidated results for the current fiscal year is expected to be minimal. Nonetheless, the deal is seen as a strategic pillar in the company’s “Global Media Mix with Technology” vision, representing a significant step forward in its global media initiatives.

Source : From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman Official