Chloé Zhao and Nicolas Gonda Launch Kodansha Studios for Manga Adaptations
Chloé Zhao, a two-time Academy Award winner, alongside Nicolas Gonda, has established a new global studio named Kodansha Studios. This studio will focus on creating live-action movies and television series based on popular manga properties.
Kodansha Studios: A New Era in Manga Adaptations
Kodansha Studios aims to utilize the extensive Kodansha library, the leading Japanese publisher known for iconic titles such as Akira and Attack on Titan. The studio will explore genres including romance, drama, horror, action, and fantasy.
Leadership and Vision
Chloé Zhao will take on the role of Chief Creative Officer, while Nicolas Gonda assumes the position of President and Chief Operations Officer. Their existing company, Book of Shadows, founded in 2022, will continue to function independently.
Yoshinobu Noma, CEO of Kodansha, expressed the studio’s mission: “Inspire Impossible Stories.” Noma believes the studio will enhance collaboration between Japanese publishers and Hollywood, facilitating direct partnerships with international artists and studios.
Bringing Manga to Life
In her statement, Zhao shared her passion for manga, stating, “Kodansha has an unparalleled library of manga and novels cultivated by master storytellers.” She emphasized the importance of connecting talented authors with filmmakers worldwide to foster remarkable storytelling.
Kodansha’s Rich Heritage
Founded in 1909, Kodansha boasts a library of over 4,000 titles published across 40+ countries. Some notable manga titles include:
- Tokyo Revengers
- Blue Lock
- The Kindaichi Case Files
- Initial D
- The Seven Deadly Sins
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
The total sales among these titles exceed 500 million copies. Kodansha is headquartered in Tokyo, with additional offices in China, Europe, and the United States.
Background on Chloé Zhao and Nicolas Gonda
Chloé Zhao gained widespread acclaim for her film Nomadland, which won three Oscars, including Best Picture. Her other notable works include Eternals and The Rider, as well as the upcoming film Hamnet, which recently received the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival.
Nicolas Gonda has a rich background in immersive and interactive arts. As the co-founder and COO of Book of Shadows, Gonda has collaborated with major companies, producing over 20 films, including Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life.
Kodansha Studios is set to revolutionize the adaptation of manga into live-action formats, promising a new journey for fans of these beloved stories.
