Japanese distribution giant Media Do has acquired US-based publisher Seven Seas Entertainment for approximately 12.4 billion yen, or roughly $80 million USD.
The deal marks Media Do’s first acquisition of an overseas publishing house. The company is a major player in Japan’s digital publishing distribution market and has increasingly looked abroad.
Through the acquisition, Media Do is expected to strengthen its US presence by leveraging Seven Seas’ existing retail and distribution, while expanding the reach of Japanese titles in the North American market. According to Nikkei, the company will use its own artificial intelligence (AI) to help translators produce English versions of manga, cutting translation time from the current five to six months per volume to about two months. It also aims to expand its catalog to about 2,000 titles, including digital editions.
According to Seven Seas Entertainment’s own press release, it will “continue to operate under its existing leadership team and editorial direction. There are no changes to distribution, publishing schedules, or core operations as a result of this transaction. All Seven Seas print imprints will continue to be distributed worldwide by Penguin Random House Publisher Services.”
Seven Seas CEO and founder Jason DeAngelis:
“For more than twenty years, our focus has been simple: publishing exceptional stories and treating them with care, respect, and the passion of fans who never forget what drew us to these stories in the first place. This partnership strengthens our long-term position while preserving the creative independence and publishing mission that define Seven Seas. We remain deeply committed to our creators, partners, and readers.”
Daihei Shiohama, President and CEO of Media Do International:
“Seven Seas has built a distinctive and highly respected publishing program, with a strong track record and deep connections across the industry. “We look forward to supporting their continued success and providing resources that allow the Seven Seas team to do what they do best—champion great stories for readers around the world.”
Seven Seas Entertainment is known for licensing and publishing a wide range of manga and light novels in English. Some of its notable titles include:
- The Ancient Magus’ Bride
- Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest
- Bloom Into You
- Classroom of the Elite
The acquisition is expected to close within March. Further details regarding operational changes or leadership structure have not been publicly disclosed yet.
In 2025, the company approved the transfer of all shares in MyAnimeList to Tokyo-based Web3 startup Gaudiy Inc.. That transaction was expected to generate a one-time gain of approximately 531 million yen, recorded in the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026, and resulted in MyAnimeList no longer being classified as an affiliated company. Media Do at the time cited Gaudiy’s blockchain and generative AI expertise as part of its reasoning and indicated it would explore a potential business alliance.
Source: Press Release, Nikkei
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