Pony Canyon
Pony Canyon Inc. (株式会社ポニーキャニオン, Kabushiki gaisha Ponī Kyanion), also known by the shorthand form Ponycan (ぽにきゃん, Ponikyan), is a Japanese mass media publishing company founded on October 1, 1966.[2] The company publishes mainly physical home media on compact discs, including music, films and TV shows and video games. It is affiliated with the Japanese media group Fujisankei Communications Group. Pony Canyon is a major leader in the music industry in Japan, with its artists regularly at the top of the Japanese charts. Pony Canyon is also responsible for releasing taped concerts from its artists as well as many anime and feature film productions.
The company's logo since 2016 | |
The company's former headquarters in Minato, Tokyo | |
Native name | 株式会社ポニーキャニオン |
|---|---|
| Type | Private KK |
| Industry | Movies, TV shows, music, video games |
| Genre | Various |
| Founded | October 1, 1966 (as Nippon Broadcasting System Services, Inc.) |
| Headquarters | Minato, Tokyo, Japan |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | CDs, DVDs |
Number of employees | 450[1] |
| Parent | Fuji Media Holdings |
| Subsidiaries |
|
| Website | ponycanyon.co.jp |
Pony Canyon is headquartered in Tokyo with offices in Taiwan, Malaysia[3] and South Korea.[4] It employs approximately 360 people. Pony Canyon also owns the recording label Flight Master.[5]
History
On October 1, 1966, Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. opened a new record label division, called as Nippon Broadcasting System Service, Inc., in order to produce and market music from Japanese artists. The division formally changed its name in 1970 to Pony Inc. in order to match the brand names it had been using previously. These were "PONYPak" for 8-track cassettes from 1967, and "PONY" for cassettes from 1968.
On August 1, 1970, another Japanese record label, Canyon Records Inc. was founded.[6] Like Pony Inc., Canyon Records was part of the Fujisankei Communications Group.[6] Canyon Records was financially backed at 60% by Pony Inc. and at 40% by Pony's parent company Nippon Broadcasting System.[6]
In 1982, Pony ventured into interactive content by producing personal computer game software under the name "Ponyca". In 1984, the company entered license agreements with major overseas companies, MGM/UA Home Video, Vestron Video International, Walt Disney Home Video and BBC Video (the company also entered license agreements with major overseas companies, RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video in 1986), and in 1985, they established offices in New York and London. In 1986, Pony signed licensing agreements with A&M Records and in 1989 with Virgin Records to handle both companies' Japanese CD releases.
On October 21, 1987, Pony Inc. and Canyon Records merged their operations to form Pony Canyon Inc.[2]
In 1990, Pony Canyon branched out, and opened five subsidiaries outside Japan, one of them is a subsidiary in Singapore called Skin which was managed by Jimmy Wee and signed local English language performers such as Gwailo, Art Fazil, Chris Vadham, The Lizards' Convention, Humpback Oak and Radio Active. In addition to Singapore, Pony Canyon has also had a subsidiary in Taiwan, and a joint venture in Hong Kong and South Korea, named as Golden Pony and SAMPONY, respectively. Four of five subsidiaries were closed in 1997 due to Asian financial crisis, leaving the Malaysian subsidiary as the only subsidiary to remain in operation.[7] However, the Hong Kong and Korean operations were reestablished as a wholly owned subsidiary, although the Korean operation had a 16% stake of local partner. In 2003, the Hong Kong and Taiwan branch of Pony Canyon, both affected by the financial crisis, were acquired by Forward Music. In 2018, Pony Canyon reestablished its branch in Taiwan.
As a video game producer, Pony Canyon brought the Ultima series from Origin Systems and the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons series from Strategic Simulations to Nintendo's Family Computer. Between 1986 and 1990, they produced remakes of the first four Ultima titles for the MSX2 and NES platforms. These remakes differed from the original versions, with rewritten game code and all-new graphics.[8] Pony Canyon's video game library was generally released in North America by FCI. Pony Canyon has not released any video games since Virtual View: Nemoto Harumi for the PlayStation 2 in July 2003.
The company has occasionally been involved in film production. For example, they were a co-production company for the 1996 Indian erotic film Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love.[9]
Following a merger with Nippon Broadcasting System, Fuji Television Network, Inc. became the major shareholder of Pony Canyon in 2006. The following year, Fuji Television made Pony Canyon its wholly owned subsidiary.[10] Fuji Television was subsequently renamed Fuji Media Holdings in 2008.[11] Despite associations with Fuji Television, not all of Pony Canyon's TV show and movie library has been broadcast on Fuji Television. Some of Pony Canyon's non-Fuji TV catalog includes Doraemon movies.
In September 2014, Pony Canyon opened a North American anime distribution label, Ponycan USA, which aims to license their titles for streaming and home video in US and Canada.[12] Their home video releases will be distributed exclusively by Right Stuf Inc.[13]
Music artists
Below is a selected list of musical artists signed under the Pony Canyon label in the past and present.
- +Plus (2009–2011)
- A.B.C-Z
- Aaron Yan
- Agnes Chan (1988–2000)
- Ai Higuchi (2021–present)
- Ai Maeda
- aiko
- Aimi (2011–2013)
- Akari Kito
- Akiko Matsumoto
- The Alfee (1979–1997)
- Alyssa Milano (1988–1993)
- Ami Wajima
- Arashi (1999–2001)
- Asaka Seto (1995–1996, 2002)
- Asriel (2014–2015)
- Λucifer (1999–2000)
- Aya Ueto
- Ayana Taketatsu
- B1A4 (Korean idol group)
- Babyraids Japan (2012–2018)
- Bananarama
- Band-Maid (2020[14]–present)
- Beatcats (2020–present)
- Berryz Koubou
- Billie Hughes
- Blood Stain Child
- The Brow Beat (2021–present)
- Buono! (2007–2010)
- The Burning Deadwoods
- By-Sexual (1990–1995)
- CHAGE and ASKA (1985–1997)
- The Checkers (1981–1992)
- Cherryblossom (2007–2010)
- Chiharu Matsuyama (1977–1980)
- Chihiro Yonekawa (2013) (one release)
- Cinema Staff (2012–2019)
- COBRA (1990–1991)
- COMA-CHI
- Combattimento Consort Amsterdam
- Crayon Pop (Korean idol group)
- Cute (Korea only)
- D-51
- Daisy×Daisy (2010–2013)
- Dave Rodgers (1981–1990)
- David Lasley
- Defspiral
- DIALOGUE+ (2019–present)
- Dreamcatcher (Korean idol group)
- Ebisu Muscats
- eill (2021–present)
- Emi Fujita
- Emiri Kato
- Ensemble Planeta
- Eri Kitamura (2004)
- Eyedi (2018–present)
- Fahrenheit (Japan release)
- Flame
- fripSide (2008)
- Fuga Miura (2021–present)
- Fumiya Fujii
- Funkist (2008–2012)
- GARNiDELiA (2021–present)
- Glay
- GOING UNDER GROUND (2010–2011)
- HALO (Korean idol group)
- Hanako Oku
- harmoe (2021–present)
- Happatai (band)
- Hi-Fi CAMP (2011–2013)
- Hinano Yoshikawa (1997–1999)
- Hinano (2022–present)
- Hiro Shimono
- Hiro Takahashi (1993–1995)
- Hiroko Hayashi
- Hiromi Sato
- Idoling!!! (2007–2015)
- Jamil (2010–2011)
- Jang Keun-suk
- John Hoon
- Jun Fukuyama
- Kaori Ishihara
- Kana Hanazawa (2021–present)
- Kazuki Kato
- Kei Aran
- Keita Tachibana
- Kikuko Inoue
- Kim Samuel (Korean Soloist)
- Kitarō (1979–1981)
- Kokia (1998–1999)
- Kreva (2004–2016)
- Kroi (2021–present)
- Kuhaku Gokko (2021–present)
- Kym Campbell (Japan)
- Kyoko Fukada (1998–2003)
- Le Couple (1994–2005)
- Lead
- Leaf Squad
- Little Black Dress (2021–present)
- LM.C
- Maaya Uchida
- MAGIC PARTY (2010–2012)
- Maison Book Girl (2018–2021)
- Mamiko Takai (1986–2010)
- Mao Abe
- Marc van Roon (Japan/South Korea)
- MARiA (2021–present)
- Mariya Takeuchi
- Masako Mori (1979–2008)
- Masato Shimon (1987, 2003, 2010)
- Masayoshi Oishi
- Mayumi Kojima (1995–2009)
- MC Sniper
- Megumi Odaka (1988–2002)
- Miki Matsubara (1979–1986)
- Mikuni Shimokawa (1999–2009, 2017)
- Milky Bunny (2011–2013)
- Miyuki Imori (1985–2007)
- Miyuki Kanbe (2003–2004)
- Miyuki Nakajima (1975–1999)
- Nana Okada
- Naohito Fujiki
- Naoko Ken (1975–2014)
- Nature (Korean idol group)
- Non Stop Rabbit (2020–present)
- Official Hige Dandism
- onelifecrew (2010)
- Onyanko Club (1985–2002)
- Original Love (1995–2006)
- OxT
- Paradise Lost
- Park Yong-ha (2004–2010)
- .Paul Mauriat. (After Philips)
- PelleK (2022–present)
- The Pillows (1991–1994)
- Reiko Chiba (1994–1996)
- Ricki-Lee Coulter
- Roger Joseph Manning, Jr.
- Romeo (Korean idol group)
- Rumdarjun
- S/mileage
- Saki Fukuda
- Sam Roberts
- Sata Andagi (2010–2013)
- Sayuri Ishikawa
- Segawa Ayaka
- Sexy Zone
- she
- Shiho Nanba (2010–2012, 2018)
- Shinji Takeda (1995–1996)
- Shinji Tanimura (1995–1999)
- Shinsei Kamattechan (2017, 2020)
- Shizuka Kudo
- Show Lo
- Shunichi Toki
- SiM (2022–present)
- Shoose (2020–present)
- Smewthie (2021–present)
- Smiley*2G
- SOMETIME'S (2021–present)
- Sound Horizon
- SS501 (Korean idol group)
- SuG (2010–2017)
- Suzuko Mimori
- Taegoon (2009–2010)
- Takeshi Tsuruno
- Team H
- TiA (2011–)
- toku (2021–present)
- Toshihiko Tahara (1980–1998, 2004)
- Tsukiko Amano (2001–2006)
- Tunnels (1986–1999)
- Uchoten (1986–1988)
- Uzi
- Van Ness Wu (Japanese albums only)
- Watari Roka Hashiritai (2009–2013)
- Wataru Urata
- Weather Girls
- w-inds.
- The Wild Magnolias (2002) (one release)
- World Order (2012–2014) (three releases)
- Yoko Hikasa
- Yoko Minamino (2005) (one release)
- Yoshimi Iwasaki (1980–1987)
- Yoshino Kimura (1998–2001)
- Yu Yamada
- Yui Ichikawa (2003–2005)
- Yuki Saito (1985–1999)
- Yukiko Okada (1983–1986)
- Yuko Ando (2020–present)
- Yuko Takeuchi (1998) (one release)
- Yurika Endo
- Yurika Kubo
- Yuu Miyashita (2020–present)
- Zeebra (2003–2010)
Composers
Video games
Below is a selected list of video games either developed or published by the Pony Canyon label.
- Attack Animal Gakuen
- Back to the Future
- Bubble Ghost
- Dr. Chaos
- Final Justice
- Fruit Panic
- Hacker
- Hydlide
- Jungle Wars 2 – Kodai Mahou Ateimos no Nazo
- Kabuki-chou Reach Mahjong: Toupuusen
- Koi wa Kakehiki
- Lunar Pool
- Malaya's Treasure
- Onita Atsushi FMW
- Onyanko Town
- Out Run
- Penguin Land
- Phantom Fighter
- Pit Fall
- The Police Story
- Shiroi Ringu he
- Shogi
- Sokoban
- Super Pitfall
- Tasmania Story
- TanTan Tanuki
- Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness
- Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress
- Ultima III: Exodus
- Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
- Zanac
Anime
Below is a list of anime series licensed for streaming and home video release in North America by Pony Canyon's Ponycan USA label.
- Clean Freak! Aoyama kun
- Cute High Earth Defense Club Love! (Seasons 1 & 2)
- Days
- Denkigai no Honya-san
- Etotama
- Garakowa: Restore the World
- Kuromukuro (Netflix Original)
- Lance N' Masques
- The Lost Village
- Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers
- Sanrio Boys
- Sound! Euphonium (Seasons 1 & 2)
- Welcome to the Ballroom
- Yuki Yuna is a Hero
See also
References
- ^ "会社概要 | ポニーキャニオン公式企業サイト". from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ a b Company Profile December 5, 2019, at the Wayback Machine - Pony Canyon's official site
- ^ Homepage April 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine InterGlobal Music (MY) Sdn. Bhd. (formerly Pony Canyon Malaysia).
- ^ Pony Canyon Korea.
- ^ Flight Master (a Pony Canyon label).
- ^ a b c "Japan's Record Manufacturers". Billboard Magazine. July 22, 1970. p. J-13. from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ Pony Canyon cuts back in Asia. Billboard magazine. January 17, 1998. from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
- ^ "Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness (Pony Canyon Version) - PC - GameSpy". uk.pc.gamespy.com. from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
- ^ "Kama Sutra: a tale of love". Trove. National Library of Australia. from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ Schilling, Mark (March 30, 2007). "Fuji TV ponies up for Fusosha". from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
- ^ "Corporate Profile - FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK, INC". www.fujitv.co.jp. from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
- ^ "Pony Canyon Production Company Expands To US Market". Anime News Network. September 25, 2014. from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- ^ "Right Stuf Inc. Announces Exclusive Distribution Deal with Pony Canyon Inc" (Press release). Anime News Network. January 9, 2015. from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ^ "Band-Maid boots up with theme song "Different" for anime "Log Horizon 3rd Season"". JRock News. November 3, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
External links
- Official website
- Pony Canyon at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Ponycan USA at Anime News Network's encyclopedia