Mondadori vs SHUEISHA

Spotify Expands Audiobooks to Over 180 Markets

Spotify announced a global expansion of its audiobook catalog to over 180 markets, starting October 7, 2026. The rollout will proceed over the coming months, bringing audiobook access to more than 750 million users. Previously, audiobooks were primarily available in English-speaking countries and Germany. The platform now offers over 350,000 titles in more than 120 languages, working with over 300 publishers including Planeta and Mondadori. Spotify Premium subscribers in eligible countries get 12 hours of audiobook listening, while a standalone Audiobook+ subscription offers 15 hours. Since its launch last year, Audiobook+ has gained over 1 million subscribers and generated over $100 million in annual recurring revenue. Audiobook listenership grew 40% and listening hours increased 30% over the past year. Spotify also introduced features like Page Match, Audiobook Charts, and an AI-powered audiobook creation tool with ElevenLabs.

• Spotify expands audiobooks to over 180 markets globally.
• Over 350,000 audiobook titles available in more than 120 languages.
• Audiobook+ subscription has over 1 million subscribers and $100M annual recurring revenue.

Mondadori News: New Press Releases and Product Launches

Mondadori Digital held the fifth edition of MypersonalTrainer Days on September 19-20, 2026, at the Arco della Pace in Milan, drawing over 20,000 attendees and generating more than 20 million social media reach within 48 hours. The event featured 24 brand partners, free health screenings with LILT Milano, over 50 talks, and training activities across 2,400 square meters. It sold out within hours and had 2,300 people on a waiting list, supported by a team of 460 staff.

• The fifth edition of MypersonalTrainer Days took place on September 19-20, 2026, at the Arco della Pace in Milan with over 20,000 attendees.
• The event generated more than 20 million social media reach in just 48 hours and sold out within hours, with 2,300 people on the waiting list.
• A team of 460 people managed the event, which covered 2,400 square meters of activity space.

Pronti per il Back to school con le nostre case editrici di scolastica

Mondadori announced a back-to-school initiative on September 2, 2026, supporting students and teachers through its education publishing houses. The ecosystem includes Mondadori Education, Rizzoli Education, Deascuola, and the HUB Scuola YouTube channel offering review materials, entrance test simulations, and webinars.

• Mondadori announced the back-to-school initiative on September 2, 2026.
• Involved publishers: Mondadori Education, Rizzoli Education, and Deascuola.
• HUB Scuola provides a YouTube channel with videos for studying and reviewing.

Kagurabachi Anime World Tour Part 2 Announced for 2026

The anime adaptation of Kagurabachi, based on the manga by Takeru Hokazono, will continue its global promotional tour with Part 2 of the Anime World Tour. Starting in September 2026, the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 will be screened at Comic Con Africa in Johannesburg and PAX Aus in Melbourne, with panel sessions featuring producer Kenta Suzuki. The tour follows the success of Part 1, which began at Anime Expo in July 2026 and included stops in Paris, Mannheim, Washington D.C., and New York. The anime is produced by Cypic, a CyberAgent group company, with broadcast and streaming scheduled for April 2027 on platforms including Crunchyroll, MUSE, and SMG HOLDINGS.

• Anime World Tour Part 2 includes screenings at Comic Con Africa (Sept 27, 2026) and PAX Aus (Oct 11, 2026).
• Part 1 of the tour had screenings at Anime Expo, Japan Expo, AnimagiC, Otakon, and Anime NYC in 2026.
• Production is led by animation studio Cypic, part of the CyberAgent group.

Shueisha authors receive Honda Yasuharu Nonfiction Award and Shimase Ren'ai Literature Award

Two Shueisha-published books have won major literary awards: '炎と水 中村哲と名もなき人たちの旅' by Junichiro Yamaoka won the 48th Kodansha Honda Yasuharu Nonfiction Award, and '女王様の電話番' by Yu Watanabe won the 32nd Shimase Ren'ai Literature Award.