Isekai-Focused Publisher Records Record Profit Thanks to Anime Adaptations
A Japanese Isekai-focused publisher achieved record revenue in 2026, driven by the success of anime adaptations of its books. To Books, known for its wide catalogue of isekai and fantasy novels and light novels, recently announced a revision of its full-year earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending April 2026.
According to the report, the publisher now expects sales to reach 11.3 billion yen, up from the initial forecast of 11 billion, representing a 6% growth year-on-year. Operating profit increased from 1.7 billion to 1.9 billion yen, ordinary profit from 1.67 billion to 1.87 billion yen, and net profit from 1.15 billion to 1.3 billion yen, showing over 34% growth across all indicators.
This remarkable growth is strongly linked to the publisher’s e-book sales. To Books has run free-reading campaigns and special promotions that helped retain and expand its readership.
Furthermore, multiple anime adaptations of its isekai works have contributed to the revenue surge, including The Water Magician, Reincarnated as a Neglected Noble: Raising My Baby Brother With Memories From My Past Life, aired in Summer 2025, and A Gentle Noble’s Vacation Recommendation, released in January 2026.
The isekai genre continues to dominate the Japanese fiction market, being among the most read and watched genres in recent years. According to the owner of Comic C’moA, one of Japan’s largest e-book stores, isekai is the most popular genre among both male and female readers.
In 2024, the streaming service ABEMA launched a dedicated “isekai fantasy” channel, later expanding to four channels for the genre. A platform representative stated that isekai has moved beyond being a passing trend, becoming an established genre with steadily increasing viewership thanks to its moralistic and accessible narratives.