[Edaily Marketin Soyoung Park Reporter] Global animation content company ANIPLUS INC.(310200)announced on the 30th that it will complete a merger-by-absorption with its subsidiary, Animax Broadcasting Korea (Animax), on July 1. This comes approximately three years after ANIPLUS INC. announced its acquisition of Animax in April 2023. Animax, which has led the domestic animation market since its establishment in 2006, will cease to exist as a separate entity.

The merger was carried out at a ratio of 1:0, as ANIPLUS INC. already held 100% of AniMax’s shares. The purpose of the merger is to enhance management efficiency and integrate core businesses.

The two companies signed an acquisition agreement in 2023. Since then, they have focused on maximizing synergies in areas such as △intellectual property (IP) sourcing △broadcast, film, and VOD distribution △merchandise (MD). Prominent examples of their collaboration include last year’s box office hits *Attack on Titan: The Movie* and *Demon Slayer: Mugen Castle*. ANIPLUS INC. and Animax hold the exclusive domestic distribution rights for these two titles, respectively.

With this merger as a starting point, ANIPLUS INC. plans to further solidify an organic collaboration system with its major affiliates, including “Raftel,” the largest animation OTT platform in Korea. Based on this, the company will complete a value chain encompassing IP rights acquisition, broadcast channel operation, and OTT streaming. The strategy is to further strengthen its market dominance both domestically and internationally.

ANIPLUS INC. has previously undertaken efforts to fully integrate its core businesses. With this merger, the company will move beyond IP distribution to fully launch its in-house production business. It will also pursue new ventures, such as expanding its online store and launching a portal service.

Jeon Seung-taek, CEO of ANIPLUS INC., stated, “I am grateful for the outstanding achievements AniMax has demonstrated over the past 20 years and its efforts toward the development of the domestic animation market.” He added, “Now that the two companies—which hold the rights to *Attack on Titan* and *Demon Slayer*—have become one, we will demonstrate even greater growth through the merged entity.”

Meanwhile, the existing broadcast channels “ANIPLUS INC.” and “Animex” will remain unchanged.