Seiyuu Management Companies File for Bankruptcy

by tsubasalover
Feb 25, 2014 10:22 PM | 24 Comments

According to a news report on Yahoo! Japan, two companies which manage seiyuus have closed on February 23, 2014. The parent company has filed for bankruptcy in the Tokyo District Court. All contracts with seiyuus had already expired in January and were not renewed.

The two companies which have been affected are Media Force (founded in 1981) and Dream Force (founded in 1999). Some high-profile voice actors have been associated with these companies including seiyuu Daisuke Hirakawa, who currently goes free. The companies had about 100 employees including contracted voice actors. The Yahoo! report cites difficulties in sales and revenues as reasons for the "advanced management rationalization and termination of unprofitable businesses." It also states that the management had plans to cancel the contracts with the seiyuus if they were unable to turn around the company by this January. Both companies together have around 100 million Yen in debt, according to the report.

Source: Yahoo! Japan, Daisuke Hirakawa's Tweet

Companies Seiyuu

20 of 24 Comments Recent Comments

Welp. Hopefully this doesnt happen to the other seiyuu management companies and hopefully Hirakawa-san will still land some roles.

Feb 26, 2014 6:34 PM by Vongole

xchee said:
The mid to high profile VAs probably won't have a problem finding a new agency. It's the newbies that will definitely feel the impact (and the office staff of course).

How does it work anyway? VA auditions for an agency. Agency accepts him/her. Agency finds job for VA. Like that?

Yup, I feel sorry for them :/

Yeah, something like that. I think the seiyuu will have to audition for the role too before considering him/her. Daisuke Hirakawa is a good voice actor.

Feb 26, 2014 11:24 AM by Tengai

Well another company who just can't keep up in the cut throat corporate world.

Feb 26, 2014 9:08 AM by RazorRamona200

Stark700 said:

mistress_kisara said:

phoenixalia said:
Daisuke Hirakawa?

He will find another company right? He won't stop working after this right? Right? I'm sorry if I sound paranoid but he's one of my favorite seiyuus.

He said in twitter that he's going freelance now

https://twitter.com/hiradume/status/438207275736375296

The voice of Rei from Free ;.;

#Pray4Rei

Feb 26, 2014 8:39 AM by VioLink

The mid to high profile VAs probably won't have a problem finding a new agency. It's the newbies that will definitely feel the impact (and the office staff of course).

How does it work anyway? VA auditions for an agency. Agency accepts him/her. Agency finds job for VA. Like that?

Feb 26, 2014 7:24 AM by xchee

I think Hirakawa Daisuke will not be having trouble getting work. He's a very high profile seiyuu. Plus, he's more active on drama cds and games (otome and BL) than animes.

Feb 26, 2014 7:23 AM by endless_nine_09

i don't need to worry about Hirakawa, Daisuke, he is a high profile seiyuu he will definitely find another company to work with.

Feb 26, 2014 6:58 AM by Mr_Gutts

OngPQ said:
Any millionaire otaku here wanna buy them over and form your own seiyuu harem? Or do I have to do it?

Are you a millionaire? Pls spare moni ;_;

Feb 26, 2014 6:56 AM by icantfeelmyarms

Right on my birthday XD....

Feb 26, 2014 6:30 AM by Aines445

Any millionaire otaku here wanna buy them over and form your own seiyuu harem? Or do I have to do it?

Feb 26, 2014 6:16 AM by OngPQ

mistress_kisara said:

He said in twitter that he's going freelance now

https://twitter.com/hiradume/status/438207275736375296

This won't affect him with getting more roles right?

Feb 26, 2014 2:11 AM by phoenixalia

Ruh-roh, that means every anime character will now be voiced by Microsoft Sam.

Feb 26, 2014 2:10 AM by icantfeelmyarms

Oh well, hopefully someone picks up some of these voice actors. Rei from Free was pretty good, even though I didn't like him that much.

Feb 26, 2014 1:24 AM by Tyrel

mistress_kisara said:

phoenixalia said:
Daisuke Hirakawa?

He will find another company right? He won't stop working after this right? Right? I'm sorry if I sound paranoid but he's one of my favorite seiyuus.

He said in twitter that he's going freelance now

https://twitter.com/hiradume/status/438207275736375296

The voice of Rei from Free ;.;

Feb 25, 2014 11:45 PM by Stark700

unemployment strikes again

Feb 25, 2014 11:43 PM by deg

phoenixalia said:
Daisuke Hirakawa?

He will find another company right? He won't stop working after this right? Right? I'm sorry if I sound paranoid but he's one of my favorite seiyuus.

He said in twitter that he's going freelance now

https://twitter.com/hiradume/status/438207275736375296

Feb 25, 2014 11:33 PM by mistress_kisara

xKiYoMiNaTiONx said:
Well...

Not seeing this on any other news sites yet, but I am guessing that they found new agencies for the seiyuus that they were contracted with.

Yeah the mid tier and top talent most likely are in other agencies.

Feb 25, 2014 11:32 PM by Hoppy

Well...

Not seeing this on any other news sites yet, but I am guessing that they found new agencies for the seiyuus that they were contracted with.

Feb 25, 2014 11:09 PM by xKiYoMiNaTiONx

alexpte said:
It says "All contracts with seiyuus had already expired in January and were not renewed" so none of the seiyuus lost their jobs

Yeah, they lost them in January instead.

Feb 25, 2014 10:56 PM by no-thanks

It says "All contracts with seiyuus had already expired in January and were not renewed" so none of the seiyuus lost their jobs

Feb 25, 2014 10:55 PM by -Karoshi-

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