Takaaki Kidani: Building an Entertainment Empire Across Card Games and Media

Takaaki Kidani built a career developing entertainment properties that bridge physical card games, digital applications, live events, and animated television series. After beginning his professional life in financial services, he shifted focus toward popular culture businesses in Japan. His work over several decades laid the groundwork for multi-format intellectual properties that combine retail, publishing, interactive software, and live performance.

Early Career and the Launch of Broccoli

Before creating Bushiroad, Kidani studied economics at Musashi University and worked at Yamaichi Securities, where he handled American duties. He departed the financial firm in 1994 to establish Broccoli on March 25 of that year. The startup initially concentrated on event management and organized Comic Castle for fan-made publications between 1994 and 1998. In 1996, Kidani expanded the company into retail by establishing the store chain Gamers. Broccoli grew its presence in the anime and video game sectors, achieving strong commercial performance through projects such as the animated series Di Gi Charat. This expansion enabled Broccoli to secure a public listing on the JASDAQ Securities Exchange.

Establishing Bushiroad and Franchise Innovation

In May 2007, Kidani established Bushiroad in Tokyo, taking on the role of president. The enterprise focused on producing trading card games, collectible card products, and publishing mobile applications. The company name originated from an uncompleted film project titled Neppu Kairiku Bushi Road from his time leading Broccoli. Kidani later restarted that project as executive producer, resulting in an animated television series broadcast on December 31, 2013, created in partnership with Bandai Visual, Nitroplus, and Kinema Citrus.

Under his guidance, Bushiroad launched several cross-media franchises. These included Tantei Opera Milky Holmes and the January 2015 creation of BanG Dream!, a property encompassing a musical group, printed manga series, and animated television productions. In 2017, Bushiroad introduced Shōjo Kageki Revue Starlight, combining a stage musical with an animated television series.

Strategic Expansion into Wrestling and Media

Beyond card games and animation, Kidani directed Bushiroad into diverse live entertainment sectors. In January 2012, the firm acquired full ownership of New Japan Pro-Wrestling for 500 million yen, with Kidani serving as chairman of the promotion. His executive work in promotion earned recognition from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter as Promoter of the Year in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Bushiroad further extended its presence in combat sports by acquiring the female wrestling promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom in October 2019.

Alongside live events, the organization broadened its digital and print footprints. At the 2012 Tokyo Game Show, Bushiroad announced Bushimo, a smartphone social gaming platform launched in the winter of 2012. The firm also introduced a monthly print publication, Monthly Bushiroad, in September 2013 to serialize manga based on its trading card games and media properties.

Financial Milestones and Strategic Investments

To consolidate its production pipeline, Bushiroad executed targeted corporate acquisitions and strategic equity investments. In December 2019, the company acquired a 31.8 percent stake in animation studio Kinema Citrus alongside Kadokawa, following a joint production partnership. That same month, Bushiroad secured an 8.2 percent stake in Sanzigen. In March 2021, Bushiroad acquired a controlling 50.625 percent stake in video game company Frontwing.

Under Kidani, the company achieved public status on July 24, 2019, listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. While Kidani stepped down as Representative Director in October 2017 to join the board of directors, he maintained leadership as president and chief executive officer until transferring those executive positions to BanG Dream! producer Yuki Nemoto on July 28, 2026.