Pony Canyon

Pony Canyon is a Japanese entertainment company whose activities span recorded music, film and television content, home video, anime licensing and distribution, live-concert video releases, and historically, video-game production and publishing. The business was established on October 1, 1966, when Nippon Broadcasting System created a record-label division known as Nippon Broadcasting System Service. It later adopted the Pony name, reflecting the company’s early physical-media brands, including PONYPak 8-track cartridges and PONY cassettes. A related Fujisankei group record company, Canyon Records, was founded in 1970, and the two operations combined in 1987 to create Pony Canyon Inc. The company developed during a period when Japan’s recorded-music market was expanding from vinyl into cassettes, 8-track cartridges, compact discs, and later home-video formats. Its catalog and artist roster made it a significant domestic music publisher and label, while licensing arrangements with international entertainment companies broadened its role beyond Japanese recordings. During the 1980s, Pony Canyon handled Japanese releases connected with companies including MGM/UA Home Video, Walt Disney Home Video, A&M Records, and Virgin Records. It also built distribution and licensing capabilities for films, television programs, concerts, and animation. Pony Canyon entered interactive entertainment in 1982 under the Ponyca name. Its game-related activities included Japanese releases of overseas properties such as Ultima and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, as well as remakes of early Ultima titles for MSX2 and Nintendo’s Family Computer/NES. Its historical game catalog was distributed in North America primarily through FCI. The company’s last video-game release identified in the reference material was Virtual View: Nemoto Harumi for PlayStation 2 in 2003, indicating that games are principally a historical rather than a current core of the business. The company also expanded internationally. It opened overseas operations in East and Southeast Asia during the 1990s, including Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Several operations were closed or reorganized following the Asian financial crisis, while the Hong Kong and South Korean businesses were later reestablished. The Hong Kong and Taiwan operations were subsequently acquired by Forward Music in 2003, and Pony Canyon reestablished a Taiwan branch in 2018. The company has also maintained offices in Taiwan and South Korea and, in 2014, created Ponycan USA to license and distribute anime in the United States and Canada. Corporate control shifted within the Fujisankei family. After Nippon Broadcasting System merged with Fuji Television in 2006, Fuji Television became Pony Canyon’s major shareholder. In 2007, Fuji Television made Pony Canyon wholly owned, and Fuji Television’s corporate holding company was renamed Fuji Media Holdings in 2008. Pony Canyon remains associated with the broader Fujisankei media group while operating its own entertainment catalog and label activities. It also owns the Flight Master recording label. Its overall positioning is that of a diversified Japanese content company combining music rights, physical and digital distribution, audiovisual production, licensing, and international exploitation of Japanese entertainment properties.

Pony Canyon’s origins lie in Japan’s postwar expansion of recorded music and mass-media distribution. On October 1, 1966, Nippon Broadcasting System established Nippon Broadcasting System Service as a division for producing and marketing recordings by Japanese artists. The operation used Pony-branded product names before formally becoming Pony Inc. in 1970. PONYPak was used for 8-track cartridges from 1967, while PONY was used for cassette products from 1968. These formats helped the company build a recognizable consumer brand at a time when recorded music was moving beyond vinyl. A related company, Canyon Records, was founded on August 1, 1970. It was part of the same Fujisankei corporate sphere and was funded by Pony and Nippon Broadcasting System. Pony and Canyon developed complementary music operations before merging on October 21, 1987, to form Pony Canyon Inc. The merger created a broader company able to manage recording, physical distribution, licensing, and audiovisual content under one organization. During the 1980s, Pony Canyon broadened its scope considerably. In 1982, it entered computer and console entertainment under the Ponyca name. It licensed and published Japanese versions of overseas game properties, including Ultima from Origin Systems and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons titles from Strategic Simulations. From 1986 to 1990, it also produced substantially revised versions of the first four Ultima games for MSX2 and NES/Family Computer platforms. These versions used rewritten software and new graphics rather than simply reproducing the original releases. FCI generally handled North American distribution for Pony Canyon’s game catalog. The company’s game activity later diminished; the reference material identifies Virtual View: Nemoto Harumi, released for PlayStation 2 in July 2003, as its last video game release. Pony Canyon simultaneously expanded its international licensing and home-video capabilities. In 1984, it entered agreements involving MGM/UA Home Video, Aya Pro, Walt Disney Home Video, and BC Video, followed by an agreement with RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video in 1986. The company opened offices in New York and London in 1985 and signed arrangements with A&M Records in 1986 and Virgin Records in 1989 to manage Japanese CD releases. These activities positioned Pony Canyon as both a domestic label and an intermediary for international entertainment properties entering Japan. Overseas growth accelerated in the 1990s. Pony Canyon established operations in several East and Southeast Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, and Taiwan. The Hong Kong operation, known as Golden Pony, was created through a relationship with Golden Harvest. A South Korean operation, Sam Pony, was formed with Samhwa Video Production, while the Singapore subsidiary Skin worked with local English-language performers. The Asian financial crisis led to the closure of several subsidiaries in 1997. Hong Kong and South Korea were later reestablished, although the Korean operation retained a minority local-partner stake. In 2003, Forward Music acquired Pony Canyon’s Hong Kong and Taiwan branches. Pony Canyon later returned to Taiwan with a branch established in 2018. The company has also participated in filmed entertainment, including occasional film co-production, and has released concert recordings and anime-related productions. Its catalog is not limited to programming associated with Fuji Television; the reference material specifically notes that some non-Fuji Television properties, including Doraemon films, are part of its wider library. Pony Canyon’s ownership changed as the Fujisankei corporate structure evolved. Following the 2006 merger involving Nippon Broadcasting System and Fuji Television, Fuji Television became Pony Canyon’s major shareholder. Fuji Television made Pony Canyon a wholly owned subsidiary in 2007. When Fuji Television’s holding company adopted the name Fuji Media Holdings in 2008, Pony Canyon became part of that larger media group. The company later used its Ponycan USA label, launched in 2014, to pursue North American anime licensing and home-video distribution. Its modern identity is therefore built on a combination of Japanese music, audiovisual rights, home entertainment, anime distribution, and selective international content partnerships.

• 2018

  Taiwan operations are reestablished

  [1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Pony Canyon returns to the Taiwan market with a new branch.

• 2014

  Ponycan USA is launched

  [1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Pony Canyon establishes a North American anime distribution label focused on streaming and home-video licensing in the United States and Canada.

• 2008

  Parent holding company adopts the Fuji Media Holdings name

  [1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Fuji Television’s holding-company structure is renamed Fuji Media Holdings, which becomes Pony Canyon’s corporate parent.

• 2007

  Pony Canyon becomes wholly owned by Fuji Television

  [1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Fuji Television makes Pony Canyon its wholly owned subsidiary.

• 2006

  Fuji Television becomes the major shareholder

  [1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Following a merger involving Nippon Broadcasting System, Fuji Television becomes Pony Canyon’s major shareholder.

• 2003

  Forward Music acquires the Hong Kong and Taiwan branches

  [1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Pony Canyon’s Hong Kong and Taiwan operations are acquired by Forward Music.

• 1997

  Asian subsidiaries are reorganized after the financial crisis

  [1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Several overseas subsidiaries close amid the Asian financial crisis, while selected Hong Kong and Korean operations are later reestablished.

• 1990

  Overseas subsidiary expansion

  [1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Pony Canyon opens multiple subsidiaries outside Japan, particularly in East and Southeast Asia.

• 1989

  Virgin Records Japanese CD licensing agreement

  [1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Pony Canyon enters an agreement to handle Japanese CD releases associated with Virgin Records.

• 1987

  Pony and Canyon merge

  [1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Pony Inc. and Canyon Records combine on October 21 to form Pony Canyon Inc.

Showing the 10 most recent.

Diversified Japanese entertainment and content-rights company with strong domestic music roots and activities across audiovisual distribution, anime, home video, and international licensing.

• Music · 1966

  Recorded music

  Recorded music has been Pony Canyon’s foundational business since its creation in 1966. The company has released music by Japanese artists, managed physical formats including cassettes and CDs, and participated in international licensing arrangements for Japanese-market releases. Its wider music activities include artist recordings, catalog exploitation, and releases connected with its Flight Master label.

• Home video

  Concert and performance videos

  Pony Canyon has released taped concerts and other filmed performances by artists associated with its music operations. These products extend the company’s role from audio recordings into audiovisual exploitation and home entertainment.

• Film and television

  Film and television content

  The company distributes home video and participates in selected film and television productions. Its catalog includes content associated with different Japanese media partners and is not limited to programs originally broadcast by Fuji Television.

• Anime · 2014

  Anime licensing and distribution

  Through Ponycan USA, Pony Canyon licensed selected anime titles for streaming and physical home-video release in the United States and Canada. The cited catalog includes titles such as Yuki Yuna Is a Hero, Sound! Euphonium, Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers, Welcome to the Ballroom, and Kuromukuro, although individual licensing terms and availability can expire.

• Video games · 1982

  Ponyca video games

  Pony Canyon’s historical interactive-media business operated under the Ponyca name. It published Japanese versions of overseas properties, including Ultima and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, and produced redesigned versions of early Ultima games for MSX2 and NES/Family Computer. The reference material identifies a PlayStation 2 release in 2003 as its last video game.

• Record label

  Flight Master

  Flight Master is a recording label owned by Pony Canyon. It forms part of the company’s label portfolio alongside the main Pony Canyon music identity.

• 2014Ponycan USA North American anime rollout

  United States · Canada

  Pony Canyon created Ponycan USA to expand licensing of its anime properties for North American streaming and home video. Right Stuf was appointed as the exclusive distributor for physical home-video releases.

  Outcome. Established a dedicated North American anime-distribution platform for selected Pony Canyon titles.

  Source

• 2025

  Establish the RED ON music label with TOBEStrategy

  Background

  Pony Canyon and TOBE announced a partnership intended to create additional opportunities for artistic expression in Japan and international music markets.

  Action taken

  The parties announced the RED ON label, with the name described as referring to Resonance, Expression, and Destiny. TOBE artist Hiromitsu Kitayama was identified as its first artist.

  Aftermath

  The reference material does not provide later performance or financial results for the label.

  Source

• 2014

  Create a North American anime distribution labelStrategy

  Background

  Pony Canyon sought a dedicated route for exploiting Japanese animation rights in the United States and Canada.

  Action taken

  It launched Ponycan USA for streaming and home-video licensing, with Right Stuf distributing physical releases.

  Aftermath

  The company established a distinct international label for selected anime properties, though title availability and licensing arrangements varied over time.

  Source

• 2007

  Become a wholly owned Fuji Television subsidiaryM&A

  Background

  Fuji Television became Pony Canyon’s major shareholder after the 2006 merger involving Nippon Broadcasting System.

  Action taken

  Fuji Television made Pony Canyon wholly owned.

  Aftermath

  Pony Canyon became more closely integrated into the Fuji media group, later operating under the Fuji Media Holdings corporate structure.

  Source

• 1987

  Merge Pony Inc. and Canyon RecordsM&A

  Background

  Two related Fujisankei group music operations had developed overlapping recording and distribution capabilities.

  Action taken

  Pony Inc. and Canyon Records merged their operations to create Pony Canyon Inc.

  Aftermath

  The merger formed the corporate identity that continues to operate across music and wider entertainment content.

  Source

• 1982

  Enter interactive entertainmentStrategy

  Background

  Pony Canyon sought to extend its entertainment activities beyond recorded music and video distribution as personal-computer and console software markets developed.

  Action taken

  The company began producing game software under the Ponyca name and later handled Japanese releases of several overseas game properties.

  Aftermath

  The initiative produced a historical game catalog, including revised Ultima titles, but the reference material identifies no Pony Canyon game releases after 2003.

  Source

• 2025

  TOBE and Pony Canyon announce the RED ON label[1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Product launch

  Pony Canyon and TOBE announced a new label called RED ON. The initiative was presented as a platform for domestic and international music activity, with TOBE artist Hiromitsu Kitayama identified as its first artist.

• 2018

  Pony Canyon reestablishes a Taiwan operation[1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  After earlier Taiwan and Hong Kong operations had been affected by the Asian financial crisis and later transferred to Forward Music, Pony Canyon reestablished a Taiwan branch.

• 2014

  Pony Canyon establishes Ponycan USA for North American anime distribution[1]Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Pony Canyon launched Ponycan USA to license selected anime titles for streaming and home-video distribution in the United States and Canada. Right Stuf handled exclusive distribution of its home-video releases.

1. 1Pony Canyonen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Pony Canyon official websiteponycanyon.co.jp