SOZO Pte Ltd has announced a significant step forward in its long-standing collaboration with KADOKAWA Corporation, becoming a consolidated subsidiary within KADOKAWA’s global group network. The expanded alliance aims to enhance the delivery of Japanese pop culture content and experiences across Asia by combining KADOKAWA’s extensive creative portfolio with SOZO’s regional event-production expertise.
Despite the closer integration, SOZO will continue to operate as an independent platform. Its existing leadership and organisational structure will remain unchanged, allowing the company to maintain strong partnerships across the wider anime, comics, and gaming (ACG) industry.
“We are excited about the tremendous possibilities ahead and the new doors that have opened for us,” said Shawn Chin, Managing Director of SOZO. “At the same time, our mission remains unchanged — SOZO continues to be a neutral platform that welcomes all partners across the ACG ecosystem.”
“KADOKAWA is delighted to welcome SOZO, our trusted long-time partner, into our Group, ” said Takeshi Natsuno, Chief Executive Officer of KADOKAWA Corporation. “We see tremendous synergy between our companies, and this partnership represents a long-term commitment to growing the Japanese pop culture ecosystem together. By combining KADOKAWA’s content and business strengths with SOZO’s regional expertise, we believe we can deliver even greater excitement to fans around the world.”
Based in Singapore, SOZO has established itself as a key bridge between Japan and Asia through concerts, exhibitions, anime-related events, and merchandise distribution. Since launching Anime Festival Asia in 2008, the company has played a central role in popularising Japanese pop culture throughout the region. Likewise, KADOKAWA’s operations in Southeast Asia include translation and publication of comics and light novels, planning and distribution of merchandise, operation of direct retail stores, and film distribution.
