Image: GoHands-Logo
AMBot | 05/25/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
On May 25, 2026, U-NEXT HOLDINGS announced that it will acquire all shares of the animation studio GoHands, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. The share acquisition is scheduled for June 1, 2026. Through this full integration, the group aims to more closely link anime production and the development of its own intellectual property (IP) with its streaming platform U-NEXT.
U-NEXT HOLDINGS operates U-NEXT, one of Japan's largest video-on-demand services. Founded in 2009, the company sees the acquisition as a strategic step to remain competitive in the globally growing market for Japanese animation. "The ability to consistently produce high-quality anime is crucial for global success," the official statement reads.
GoHands was founded in 2008 in Osaka and has made a name for itself with productions such as "K," "Seitokai Yakuindomo" ("Student Council of the Sky"), "The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today," "The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses," and the current original anime "Momentary Lily." The studio operates entirely in-house and delivers completed episodes before their broadcast—an unusual workflow in the industry.
The acquisition is expected to unlock several synergies: First, cost optimization, as previously outsourced localization and studio work will now be handled internally. Second, U-NEXT aims to integrate its digital technologies into GoHands' production processes to improve workflows, optimize data linkage, and boost productivity. An increase in production line staffing is also planned. Third, it is intended to have original book and comic IPs from the in-house publisher U-NEXT Publishing animated by GoHands and then streamed exclusively on U-NEXT. This is expected to better monetize content and open up multiple revenue streams.
The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. According to U-NEXT HOLDINGS, the purchase price is below 15 percent of the group's latest equity. GoHands generated revenue of approximately 464 million yen and a profit of nearly 520,000 yen in the fiscal year ending July 2025. The impact on the group's financials is therefore considered minor.
With this acquisition, U-NEXT HOLDINGS continues its course of expanding the value chain in the entertainment sector and becoming more independent from external production partners. The combination of its own streaming platform and a specialized animation studio could give the company a decisive long-term advantage in international competition.
U-NEXT HOLDINGS operates U-NEXT, one of Japan's largest video-on-demand services. Founded in 2009, the company sees the acquisition as a strategic step to remain competitive in the globally growing market for Japanese animation. "The ability to consistently produce high-quality anime is crucial for global success," the official statement reads.
GoHands was founded in 2008 in Osaka and has made a name for itself with productions such as "K," "Seitokai Yakuindomo" ("Student Council of the Sky"), "The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today," "The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses," and the current original anime "Momentary Lily." The studio operates entirely in-house and delivers completed episodes before their broadcast—an unusual workflow in the industry.
The acquisition is expected to unlock several synergies: First, cost optimization, as previously outsourced localization and studio work will now be handled internally. Second, U-NEXT aims to integrate its digital technologies into GoHands' production processes to improve workflows, optimize data linkage, and boost productivity. An increase in production line staffing is also planned. Third, it is intended to have original book and comic IPs from the in-house publisher U-NEXT Publishing animated by GoHands and then streamed exclusively on U-NEXT. This is expected to better monetize content and open up multiple revenue streams.
The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. According to U-NEXT HOLDINGS, the purchase price is below 15 percent of the group's latest equity. GoHands generated revenue of approximately 464 million yen and a profit of nearly 520,000 yen in the fiscal year ending July 2025. The impact on the group's financials is therefore considered minor.
With this acquisition, U-NEXT HOLDINGS continues its course of expanding the value chain in the entertainment sector and becoming more independent from external production partners. The combination of its own streaming platform and a specialized animation studio could give the company a decisive long-term advantage in international competition.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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