Anime database website MyAnimeList has announced that Japanese publishing companies Kodansha, Shueisha, and Shogakukan will invest in MyAnimeList through a third-party allotment. MyAnimeList plans to issue new shares, increasing its capital by a total of 1,200 million yen (about US$11.33 million). The companies, together with MyAnimeList parent company Media Do, will implement a third-party allotment and underwrite half of this amount.
The site plans to invest the funds obtained from the third-party allotment to accelerate expansion of its platform, focusing on accessibility for new and returning users, promoting information exchange, increasing server robustness, and advancing interconnection between fans and businesses. The company’s immediate plans to achieve these goals include implementing infrastructure changes to increase speed and support advanced UI/UX features, multi-language support for databases and user lists, iOS and Android application improvements such as dark mode and social functions, and upgraded user communication tool enhancements for increased information sharing.
MyAnimeList launched in 2005, and DeNA purchased the site in 2015. Media Do Holdings later acquired the site from DeNA in January 2019.
Source: ANN
