Attack on Titan’s Hollywood dream just became real. Kodansha Studios launched on November 4, 2025 with Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao leading the charge. This new production company brings together Japanese manga and Hollywood filmmakers to create epic live-action films and series.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Kodansha Studios officially launched on Nov. 4, 2025 with Chloé Zhao as Chief Creative Officer
- Oscar winner Zhao (Nomadland) and Nicolas Gonda co-lead the new Hollywood-based studio
- Attack on Titan, Akira, Blue Lock, and Sailor Moon are among planned adaptations
- The studio will produce premium live-action films spanning romance, drama, horror, and action
- Kodansha’s library includes over 4,000 manga titles with more than 500 million copies sold globally
What Happened: A Game-Changing Partnership Takes Shape
Kodansha, founded in 1909 and headquartered in Tokyo, just made its biggest Hollywood move. The legendary Japanese publisher officially announced Kodansha Studios as its dedicated production arm. Two-time Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao joins as Chief Creative Officer, while Nicolas Gonda serves as President and Chief Operations Officer.
“I grew up reading and drawing Manga. Kodansha has an unparalleled library waiting to be brought to life. By connecting brilliant authors with filmmakers internationally, we can drive exceptional storytelling.”
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This partnership represents a seismic shift in how Japanese manga reaches global audiences. Kodansha will leverage its massive intellectual property library to develop premium live-action adaptations for film and television. The studio connects international filmmakers directly with Japanese manga authors, ensuring authentic storytelling that respects source material.
Why This Matters: Attack on Titan Gets Its Shot at Hollywood
Attack on Titan fans have waited years for a proper Hollywood adaptation. Now the path is clearer than ever. With Kodansha Studios in place and Chloé Zhao overseeing creative direction, the beloved manga finally has serious backing. Zhao’s track record speaks volumes—she won Best Picture, Best Director, and earned Golden Lion recognition.
The studio’s creation signals that anime and manga are no longer niche entertainment in Hollywood. 2025 proved anime’s dominance at the box office. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle became the highest-grossing Japanese film ever, while Chainsaw Man dominated weekends. American audiences now crave these stories on the biggest screens.
Kodansha publishes across 40+ countries with offices in China, Europe, and the United States. This infrastructure means global reach from day one. Attack on Titan, Akira, Blue Lock, Sailor Moon, and Tokyo Revengers are all potential projects. The studio spans every genre—from intimate romance to bombastic fantasy action.
The Details: Star Power Meets Manga Mastery
Chloé Zhao’s credentials are extraordinary. She directed Nomadland, which swept major awards including Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. She also helmed Marvel’s Eternals and the upcoming Hamnet starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. Nicolas Gonda brings equal firepower—he’s an executive producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s reboot. He previously worked with Terrence Malick on The Tree of Life.
| Studio Element | Details |
| Leadership | Chloé Zhao (Chief Creative Officer), Nicolas Gonda (President/COO) |
| Headquarters | Hollywood, USA |
| Launch Date | November 4, 2025 |
| Available IP | 4,000+ manga titles with 500+ million copies sold |
| Primary Titles | Attack on Titan, Akira, Blue Lock, Sailor Moon |
| Content Types | Feature films, TV series across all genres |
Kodansha Studios represents a fundamental shift in manga adaptation strategy. Previous attempts often felt disconnected from source material. Zhao’s studio directly connects Japanese authors with Hollywood creatives, ensuring authentic storytelling. Kodansha controls the entire process—development, packaging, and production oversight.
What To Watch For: The Road Ahead for Attack on Titan
- First official Attack on Titan casting announcements—filming could begin in 2026 or 2027
- Director selection for the flagship adaptation; Zhao may direct personally
- Kodansha Studios’ first announcement of specific projects beyond Attack on Titan
- Box office performance of 2025 anime hits influencing budget decisions
- International co-financing deals with Netflix, Prime Video, or theatrical studios
The anime industry watches closely. Sony Pictures, Netflix, and other studios are investing heavily in anime-to-live-action projects. Kodansha Studios arrives at the perfect moment. Global audiences now recognize anime as mainstream entertainment worth premium budgets.
Can Hollywood Finally Deliver a Great Attack on Titan Movie?
The question haunting fans for years: Can Hollywood truly capture Attack on Titan’s epic scale and emotional depth? Chloé Zhao‘s involvement dramatically shifts expectations upward. She’s proven she masters intimate character moments and sweeping visual storytelling. Eternals showed she handles massive ensemble casts and cosmic action.
Attack on Titan’s core strength lies in its human drama—the moral ambiguity, sacrifice, and freedom themes. It’s not just giant monsters fighting. Zhao specializes in finding profound humanity in unconventional stories. Nomadland’s intimate character study won Best Picture, proving Zhao’s emotional range.
The manga’s 16-year journey concluded with world-changing revelations. Hollywood now has complete source material and knows exactly what fans love. With Kodansha Studios’ backing, direct author involvement, and Chloé Zhao steering creative decisions, Attack on Titan finally has everything needed to succeed. Will this be Hollywood’s first truly transcendent anime adaptation?
Sources
- Deadline – Exclusive report on Chloé Zhao and Nicolas Gonda launching Kodansha Studios
- Screen Rant – Attack on Titan receives major step forward with Kodansha Studios announcement
- Japan Today – Kodansha opens Hollywood studio for manga live-action adaptations
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.