Shodensha (株式会社祥伝社, Shōdensha Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese publishing company headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. Established on November 2, 1970, it was founded by former employees of the Japanese publishing giant Kodansha.
Initially focusing on general non-fiction and literary fiction, Shodensha later expanded its portfolio to include a wide range of genres, including popular fiction, light novels, and manga, particularly in the josei (women's) and shōjo (girls') demographics. The company also publishes various magazines.
In 2002, Shodensha became a subsidiary of Kodansha, the company from which its founders had originally departed. Despite this, Shodensha maintains a distinct editorial identity and continues to publish under its own imprints.
Notable publications and imprints include:
- Novels: A wide array of literary and popular fiction, including detective stories, historical fiction, and romance.
- Light Novels: A significant presence in the light novel market.
- Manga: Known for its josei manga titles, often serialized in dedicated manga magazines.
- Magazines: Including general interest magazines and literary journals.