EXCLUSIVE: Two-time Oscar winner Chloé Zhao and Nicolas Gonda have just opened the doors to Kodansha Studios, a new global studio dedicated to creating premium, live-action movies and television series based on hit manga properties.
Kodansha Studios will leverage the Kodansha library, which is the leading Japanese publisher behind such beloved manga as Akira and Attack on Titan, to create films and series spanning romance, drama, horror and event-level action and fantasy. Kodansha will connect international filmmakers with renowned Japanese manga authors, developing and packaging premium adaptations.
Nomadland filmmaker Zhao will serve as Chief Creative Officer, while Gonda is President and Chief Operations Officer. Zhao and Gonda’s existing production company Book of Shadows, founded in 2022, will continue to operate as a separate entity.
“Guided by our corporate mission, ‘Inspire Impossible Stories,’ we are constantly seeking new avenues to deliver the rich, diverse narratives originating from Japan to a global audience,” said Yoshinobu Noma, CEO of Kodansha. “The establishment of Kodansha Studios represents a pivotal moment – and a new chapter – in the relationship between Japanese publishers and Hollywood. This studio is our commitment to accelerating direct partnerships with premier global artists, producers, and partner studios.”
Said Zhao: “I grew up reading and drawing Manga. I love being a part of the fandoms and I feel a deep sense of belonging with people around the world who share their love for these characters and stories. Kodansha has an unparalleled library of manga and novels cultivated by master storytellers just waiting to be brought to life onscreen. By connecting these brilliant authors with their filmmaker counterparts internationally, we can empower both parties while driving a wave of exceptional storytelling for audiences all over the world.”
Founded in 1909, Kodansha publishes across 40+ countries, counting more than 4,000 titles with a dynamic roster of renowned authors. In addition to Akira and Attack on Titan, Kodansha’s popular manga titles include Tokyo Revengers, Blue Lock, The Kindaichi Case Files, Initial D, The Seven Deadly Sins and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, selling over half a billion copies among them. Kodansha is headquartered in Tokyo, with additional offices in China, Europe and the United States.
Beijing-born Zhao’s third feature, Nomadland, earned three Academy Awards — for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress — as well as the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and Golden Globe, BAFTA, DGA, and PGA Awards. She also co-wrote and directed Marvel Studios’ Eternals, before which she wrote and directed Cannes award winner The Rider and her acclaimed debut Songs My Brothers Taught Me. Most recently, she wrote, directed, edited and executive produced the upcoming Focus Features period drama Hamnet, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling Women’s Prize for Fiction winner. The film recently won the People’s Choice Award for Best Film at the Toronto Film Festival, making Zhao the only director to have twice received the top audience prize at TIFF. The filmmaker is repped by CAA, Ilene Feldman Management and Lichter Grossman Nichols.
RELATED: ‘Hamnet’ Review: Jessie Buckley & Paul Mescal Magnificent In Chloé Zhao’s Stunning Emotional Story Of Love, Death, Shakespeare And Art – Telluride Film Festival
Gonda is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Book of Shadows. Previously, he was the founding Chief Content Officer at Meow Wolf, one of the world’s leading immersive and interactive arts organizations. He frequently collaborates with The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., Epic Games, Roblox and MGM Resorts on state-of-the-art experiential projects. Gonda most recently produced Hamnet and has produced more than 20 films including Terrence Malick’s Oscar-nominated The Tree of Life. He also serves as an EP on the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer series.
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