Japan’s Kadokawa Corporation is responsible for some of the biggest titles in isekai anime including Re:Zero. Going as far back as the 1970s, the family-owned company became a pioneer of the “media-mix” strategy—publishing books, including manga, that could be adapted into films and TV shows. Unlike other studios that typically have to share profits with various publishers, Kadokawa handles everything in-house, allowing it to fully capitalize on its intellectual property. This strategic advantage is one reason Sony recently became an investor in Kadokawa—the company has a proven track record of turning manga and light novels into hit anime.

New data has emerged, offering a clearer picture of just how successful Kadokawa’s anime titles really are, and how the mighty isekai genre is now taking second place to an idol singer. Richardson Handjaja of the Oshi no Ko is a blockbuster hit in the Japanese entertainment industry.

Oshi no Ko: a Blockbuster Hit That Tops Even Isekai

The Dark Idol Drama Generates Massive Earnings

A bittersweet, often dark story about life in the idol music industry, Oshi no Ko debuted as a manga in Weekly Young Jump in 2020, illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari and written by Aka Akasaka. Kadokawa played a key role in the production and distribution of the Oshi no Ko TV anime and recently acquired Doga Kobo, the animation studio behind the series. Now, it appears those investments have paid off.

According to Kadokawa’s third-quarter earnings, sales attributed to Oshi no Ko reached ¥5.4 billion (approximately $36 million) in 2024 alone. Since April 2023, the series has generated over ¥9 billion (approximately $60 million), making it a massive success by any metric. That’s great news as Oshi no Ko gears up for its third season, set to debut in 2026

Kadokawa’s Isekai Powerhouses

A Bright Future for Anime

While Oshi no Ko stands as Kadokawa’s top earner, some familiar titles are also prominent in the fiscal report. Fantasy-themed isekai series have long been a specialty for Kadokawa, so it’s no surprise that Delicious in Dungeon, Overlord, Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, and KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! still rank among the company's top revenue-generating anime.

With Oshi no Ko leading the charge and fan-favorite isekai titles like KonoSuba and Delicious in Dungeon bringing in solid numbers, Kadokawa is showing no signs of slowing down. The company’s unique ability to juggle publishing, anime production, and distribution all under one roof gives it a serious edge in the industry. As old favorites and new adaptations roll out, it’s clear that Kadokawa’s formula for turning stories into hits is still going strong.

Source: Richardson Handjaja (X)