Gaudiy Group conducts additional funding from Shochiku, Toei Animation, and Toho
Gaudiy Group, aiming to create a 'Fan Nation,' raised additional funds from major entertainment companies Shochiku, Toei Animation, and Toho. This follows a 10 billion yen funding round and will be used to accelerate global expansion and Web3/AI R&D.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 18:02 (127h 31m after Collected)
Gaudiy Group Inc. (hereinafter "Gaudiy Group"), which aims to create a "Fan Nation," has conducted a third-party allotment of shares underwritten by Shochiku Co., Ltd., Toei Animation Co., Ltd., and Toho Co., Ltd., following the pre-series C round 1st close conducted in April 2025. Alongside leading companies in the entertainment industry, Gaudiy Group will advance further challenges toward realizing its vision and innovating the industry.
■ Purpose of Funding
This funding was conducted at Gaudiy Group, established on February 6, 2026. In the 1st close in April 2025, we raised a total of 10 billion yen from Sony Group and Bandai Namco Holdings*1. Together with the additional funding in this 2nd close, we plan to utilize it for the following purposes:
- Business expansion: Large-scale investment in existing businesses, creation of new businesses
- Strengthening global expansion: Expanding overseas bases, strengthening overseas businesses
- Promoting talent acquisition and R&D: Domestic and international talent acquisition, Web3/AI R&D, industry-academia collaboration
- Others: Creation of social businesses, education businesses
■ Background of Transition to a Group Management Structure
Gaudiy Inc., founded in May 2018, has developed various businesses in the entertainment, technology, and finance sectors with the vision of creating a "Fan Nation."
To further accelerate multifaceted business promotion, management efficiency, and synergy creation across the group, we have transitioned to a group management structure with Gaudiy Group as a pure holding company.
Under the new management structure, we will continue to aim to create a "Fan Nation" by providing an ecosystem where people's creativity can blossom more and their passion is converted into economic value.
■ Comments from Investors
Toshihiro Takahashi, President and CEO, Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Our company has set "strong content creation and multifaceted development" as a company-wide theme, and as its core, we are promoting "anime" and "global" strategies. Through this alliance, we will be able to more precisely capture the insights of fans around the world by utilizing the knowledge of forming highly passionate communities, massive data, and advanced technology held by Gaudiy Group's platform business "MyAnimeList" and other community services. Together with Gaudiy Group, we hope to further expand the possibilities of entertainment by co-creating IP formats that stay close to each and every fan.
Katsuhiro Takagi, President and CEO, Toei Animation Co., Ltd.
In our "Medium-Term Management Plan VISION2030," our company has set our ideal form as a leading company in the anime industry to "continue to evolve as a top runner in animation that fascinates people all over the world." Through this investment in Gaudiy Group, a startup aiming to create a "Fan Nation," we will work to strengthen our marketing capabilities and improve fan engagement, aiming to expand more global customer touchpoints and maximize IP value.
Hiroyasu Matsuoka, President and CEO, Toho Co., Ltd.
In March of this year, our company launched "TOHO-ONE," a new membership platform that allows cross-sectional use of various services within the Toho Group. To further accelerate this progress, we will introduce Gaudiy Group's expertise in building highly passionate communities through this investment to create a space where fans can connect more deeply. At the same time, through collaboration with platform businesses such as "MyAnimeList," we will promote global planning and development that directly captures the passion of fans worldwide. Together with Gaudiy Group, we hope to deliver next-generation entertainment experiences to even more people.
■ Comment from Yuya Ishikawa, Representative Director and CEO
We are truly honored and deeply grateful that Shochiku, Toei Animation, and Toho, three of Japan's representative entertainment companies, have sympathized with the "Fan Nation" vision upheld by Gaudiy Group and invested in us. We are extremely encouraged to be able to take on global challenges by crossing over with technology alongside everyone who has driven Japanese entertainment for many years.
■ Purpose of Funding
This funding was conducted at Gaudiy Group, established on February 6, 2026. In the 1st close in April 2025, we raised a total of 10 billion yen from Sony Group and Bandai Namco Holdings*1. Together with the additional funding in this 2nd close, we plan to utilize it for the following purposes:
- Business expansion: Large-scale investment in existing businesses, creation of new businesses
- Strengthening global expansion: Expanding overseas bases, strengthening overseas businesses
- Promoting talent acquisition and R&D: Domestic and international talent acquisition, Web3/AI R&D, industry-academia collaboration
- Others: Creation of social businesses, education businesses
■ Background of Transition to a Group Management Structure
Gaudiy Inc., founded in May 2018, has developed various businesses in the entertainment, technology, and finance sectors with the vision of creating a "Fan Nation."
To further accelerate multifaceted business promotion, management efficiency, and synergy creation across the group, we have transitioned to a group management structure with Gaudiy Group as a pure holding company.
Under the new management structure, we will continue to aim to create a "Fan Nation" by providing an ecosystem where people's creativity can blossom more and their passion is converted into economic value.
■ Comments from Investors
Toshihiro Takahashi, President and CEO, Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Our company has set "strong content creation and multifaceted development" as a company-wide theme, and as its core, we are promoting "anime" and "global" strategies. Through this alliance, we will be able to more precisely capture the insights of fans around the world by utilizing the knowledge of forming highly passionate communities, massive data, and advanced technology held by Gaudiy Group's platform business "MyAnimeList" and other community services. Together with Gaudiy Group, we hope to further expand the possibilities of entertainment by co-creating IP formats that stay close to each and every fan.
Katsuhiro Takagi, President and CEO, Toei Animation Co., Ltd.
In our "Medium-Term Management Plan VISION2030," our company has set our ideal form as a leading company in the anime industry to "continue to evolve as a top runner in animation that fascinates people all over the world." Through this investment in Gaudiy Group, a startup aiming to create a "Fan Nation," we will work to strengthen our marketing capabilities and improve fan engagement, aiming to expand more global customer touchpoints and maximize IP value.
Hiroyasu Matsuoka, President and CEO, Toho Co., Ltd.
In March of this year, our company launched "TOHO-ONE," a new membership platform that allows cross-sectional use of various services within the Toho Group. To further accelerate this progress, we will introduce Gaudiy Group's expertise in building highly passionate communities through this investment to create a space where fans can connect more deeply. At the same time, through collaboration with platform businesses such as "MyAnimeList," we will promote global planning and development that directly captures the passion of fans worldwide. Together with Gaudiy Group, we hope to deliver next-generation entertainment experiences to even more people.
■ Comment from Yuya Ishikawa, Representative Director and CEO
We are truly honored and deeply grateful that Shochiku, Toei Animation, and Toho, three of Japan's representative entertainment companies, have sympathized with the "Fan Nation" vision upheld by Gaudiy Group and invested in us. We are extremely encouraged to be able to take on global challenges by crossing over with technology alongside everyone who has driven Japanese entertainment for many years.