Kodansha is entering the Indian manga publishing market with popular titles such as Attack on Titan and Blue Lock. This month, it will set up a joint venture in Delhi with Dai Nippon Printing and others, planning to publish around 200 English and Hindi editions per year starting this autumn, aiming for annual sales in the tens of billions of yen. In India, English editions imported via the United States currently cost around 1,800 yen per volume, are scarce, and piracy is rampant. By offering official editions at lower prices through a local subsidiary, Kodansha aims to boost distribution and eliminate pirated copies. In India's 1.4 billion-strong market, where economic growth continues, Japanese content has been gaining popularity since the pandemic, and the company hopes to expand its fan base amid a growing Generation Z and affluent class. The Japan External Trade Organization's New Delhi office notes that Kodansha's entry will not only boost content exports but also help broaden the base of local creative talent.
Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Dai Nippon Printing is a partner in the joint venture, benefiting from increased printing demand.
Kodansha is expanding into India's growing manga market, aiming to boost sales and combat piracy.