Broccoli (company)

Broccoli Co., Ltd. (株式会社ブロッコリー, Kabushiki-gaisha Burokkorī) is a Japanese media company that publishes manga, anime, video games and trading card games. It operates a chain of retailers in Japan called Gamers which carries similar products and accessories. Broccoli is best known for their Di Gi Charat, Galaxy Angel and Aquarian Age franchises.

BROCCOLI Co., Ltd.
TypePublic
JASDAQ: 2706
IndustryRetail (Gamers)
Anime
Manga
Video games
FoundedMarch 25, 1994
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
ParentHappinet (25.15%)
Animate (7.77%)
Bushiroad (3.89%)
SubsidiariesBroccoli Books
Websitewww.broccoli.co.jp

History

Satsuki Yamashita, the editor of Broccoli Books, explained that the company derived its president's desire to create a memorable name similar to that of Apple Inc. While trying to imagine of another fruit or vegetable, he arrived at broccoli. This coincidentally has the same name in nearly every language.[1]

On January 23, 2008, Broccoli announced it would be collaborating with leading industry retailer Animate to form a new company called "AniBro". Broccoli holds a minority 30% ownership of the company, which is managed by the CEO of Animate.[2]

On April 14, 2023, Happinet has announced that the company is aiming to make Broccoli a fully owned subsidiary through a friendly takeover bid.[3][4]

Subsidiaries

Gamers

Broccoli owns a chain of retail stores, Gamers, which distributes anime, manga, audio dramas, anime music CDs, figurines, snacks, stationery, apparel, posters, calendars, trading cards and accessories such as cell phone straps and keychains. Headquartered at the Akihabara location in Tokyo, the store has locations throughout Japan. The first Gamers opened in Ikebukuro, a district of Tokyo, Japan in July 1996, and which closed its doors on January 15, 2006. Broccoli opened a store in Los Angeles, California, Anime Gamers USA, that also acted as the main distributor of Broccoli Book's releases in the United States. On November 20, 2008, Broccoli announced that they would be withdrawing from the US market and closed down shop, shortly afterward.

Broccoli Books

Broccoli Books was a subsidiary that published manga in North America. It had a boys love imprint, Boysenberry Books, that launched in 2007.[5] It ceased operations in December 2008 and all the titles reverted to the Japanese holders.[6]

Synch-Point

The Synch-Point division produced English-language versions of anime and manga for North American distribution. Originally started as the anime division for Digital Manga in 2001, they were split off and acquired by Broccoli in 2002.[7][8] They went on a hiatus in March 2005, before shutting down in 2008. The company was known for incomplete English dubs, with the exception of "FLCL" which has since been subsequently re-licensed to Funimation, while the second and third seasons were licensed by Warner Bros.

References
  1. O'Connell, Margaret. "San Diego Comic Con". sequential tart. Retrieved April 29, 2009.
  2. 株式会社アニメイトとの資本・業務提携及び合弁会社設立に関するお知らせ (PDF) (in Japanese). Broccoli. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 16, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
  3. "株式会社ブロッコリー株式（証券コード：2706）に対する公開買付けの開始に関するお知らせ" (PDF). April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  4. "Happinet Bids for Friendly Takeover of Broccoli as Subsidiary". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  5. http://www.boysenberrybooks.com/about/ Boysenberry Official Website
  6. "Broccoli Books USA Shutdown". Broccoli Books. Archived from the original on June 4, 2009.
  7. "FLCL and I'm Gonna Be An Angel Acquisition Announcement". Anime News Network. March 30, 2001. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  8. "Digital Manga to be Split". Anime News Network. January 30, 2002. Retrieved April 22, 2015.


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