About the studio
Kadokawa Shoten was founded November 10, 1945 by Genyoshi Kadokawa, making it a sibling entity to, and honestly the historical root of, the broader Kadokawa Corporation. It's the publishing arm behind franchises like Sword Art Online and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, along with influential magazines like Newtype and Monthly Shōnen Ace. *Newtype alone has shaped how a generation of fans talked about anime,* which is a pretty significant cultural footprint for what's technically just a magazine. Based in Tokyo, Kadokawa Shoten launched its Kadokawa Bunko imprint in 1949 and expanded across games and film over the following decades. Since October 2013, it's operated as an internal division of Kadokawa Corporation rather than a standalone company, following the broader restructuring that also merged Kadokawa with internet company Dwango in 2014. The name still carries weight though, especially for anyone who grew up reading its magazines or the light novels it published.