Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 30, 2026

Happinet

Happinet Corporation is a Japanese entertainment company.

Last revised
May 30, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
518 w
Citations
10
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Wikipedia ↗
Happinet Corporation
Native name
株式会社ハピネット
Kabushiki-gaisha Hapinetto
FormerlyTōshō Co., Ltd. (1969–1972)
Tōshō Corporation (1972–1991)
Company type
Public
TYO: 7552
IndustryEntertainment
FoundedJune 7, 1969 (1969-06-07)
FounderHiroshi Kawai
Headquarters
Taitō, Tokyo
,
Japan
Area served
Japan
Products
OwnerBandai Namco Holdings (26.71%)
Websitewww.happinet.co.jp

Happinet Corporation (株式会社ハピネット, Kabushiki-gaisha Hapinetto) is a Japanese entertainment company.

History

In February 1968, Hiroshi Kawai left Bandai to establish his own toy business. Kawai founded Tōshō Co., Ltd. (有限会社トウショウ, Yūgen-gaisha Tōshō) on June 7, 1969. In September 1972, it changed its name to Tōshō Corporation (株式会社トウショウ, Kabushiki-gaisha Tōshō).

Tōshō merged with two other companies, Dairin Inc. (株式会社ダイリン, Kabushiki-gaisha Dairin) and Seikō Inc. (株式会社セイコー, Kabushiki-gaisha Seikō), to form Happinet in October 1991. In November 1994, Bandai acquired shares of Happinet. Happinet first appeared on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 1998.

Happinet acquired Beam Entertainment and its adult label, Green Bunny, in December 1999. It renamed the division Happinet Pictures Corporation (株式会社ハピネット・ピクチャーズ, Kabushikigaisha Hapinetto Pikuchāzu) in July 2002.1

In October 2023, Happinet became the Japanese film distributor for A24.2 Happinet has also been the exclusive manufacturer and seller of home video releases in Japan for Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan since May 1, 20243 and Walt Disney Japan since the following October 1.45 Since July 1, 2025, similar deals with NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan, Warner Bros. Japan and Paramount Pictures International went into effect.678

Products

Happinet had an exclusive anime licensing agreement with NuTech Digital in 2003.9 In addition to producing and distributing anime and films, Happinet acquired the rights to foreign films for Japanese distribution.10

TV anime
Anime films
OVAs
Live action films
Video games
References

References

  1. "Happinet Pictures Company Info". Happinet Pictures. Archived from the original on 2002-08-06. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  2. Moran, Edward (2023-11-01). "A24 and Happinet Agree to Jointly Distribute Films in Japan". Cinema Daily US. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  3. "株式会社ソニー・ピクチャーズ エンタテインメントとのビデオグラム包括ライセンス契約締結に関するお知らせ" (PDF). Happinet. 2024-03-22.
  4. "ウォルト・ディズニー・ジャパン株式会社とのディズニーのブルーレイ／DVD を対象としたホームエンターテイメントライセンス契約を締結" (PDF). Happinet. 2024-05-13.
  5. "Disney Japan Outsources Home Video Production Business to Happinet". Anime News Network. 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  6. "NBC ユニバーサル・エンターテイメントジャパン合同会社とのビデオグラム包括ライセンス契約締結に関するお知らせ" (PDF). Happinet. 2025-01-20.
  7. "ワーナー ブラザース ジャパン合同会社とのビデオグラム包括ライセンス契約締結に関するお知らせ" (PDF). Happinet. 2025-03-03.
  8. "パラマウントとのビデオグラム包括ライセンス契約締結に関するお知らせ" (PDF). Happinet. 2025-03-03.
  9. "NuTech Digital Inc. Signs Exclusive License Agreement with Happinet Pictures Corporation". Business Wire. 2003-08-22. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  10. "Studiocanal Near Sells Out 'Love at Second Sight,' Rolls Out 'Someone, Somewhere,' 'Samsam' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
External links