Shogakukan and Sony Pictures to Explore Light Novel Market

According to Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Shogakukan and Sony Pictures Entertainment and others have announced plans to explore the light novel market aimed at people between 10 to 20 years old. While Shogakukan will be officially entering the light novel market this spring, Sony Pictures plans to tap into the large pool of new writers who write using their cell phone.

Themes for young adults such as SF, Fantasy and Romance saw rapid growth in the last few years, and the market is said to contain over 30 million volumes of such work. The companies believe there is still room for growth in this market, where the youth are already familiar with advanced online and cell phone technology.

This spring, Shogakukan will launch their two new light novel libraries, Gagaga Bunko for boys and Lululu Bunko for girls. Each novel will be sold for 500-600 yen. The shonen oriented bunko will focus on entertainment, while the shojo oriented bunko will focus on romance.

Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun