A Company

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	A Company (A社)
Full Name	ACG Culture Company; later identified as ACG Anime Culture Company 4 437
Type	Privately owned anime production company and online platform operator 24 72 204
Founder / Owner	Fang Zheng 4 72
Leadership	Fang Zheng — chairman; Zhang Siyu — appointed CEO and later described as general manager 11 437
Headquarters	Shanghai; initially Qinghui Building, later a standalone headquarters in Zhuyuan District 16 69 140 159
Occupation / Role	Anime production and distribution, merchandise, music, games, and development of 2D cultural attractions 42 160 198 204
Brand Ambassador	Luo Tianyi, a virtual singer and spokesperson 158 159
Status	Operating, wholly owned by Fang Zheng, and not publicly listed; later IPO rumors are denied 140 546
First Appearance	Established alongside the ACG Community website 4

History

Foundation

Fang Zheng established ACG Community as the foundation of his envisioned “2D Empire.” Using the Strongest Anime Production System, he obtained the website’s infrastructure, registered trademarks, and completed ACG Culture Company’s establishment paperwork without leaving home 4.

He hired Zhang Siyu as CEO after she impressed him with her understanding of anime’s commercial potential. She subsequently discovered that the company consisted only of herself and Fang Zheng, with building its organizational structure as her first assignment 11 12.

The company opened quietly in Shanghai’s Qinghui Building. Its opening ceremony had only three attendees: Fang Zheng, Zhang Siyu, and Yang Li. Zhang Siyu recruited staff for the core departments, while Yang Li formally joined as manager of the Voice Acting Department 16 17.

TT Group Conflict

Less than two months after ACG’s establishment, TT Group approached the company with a pan-entertainment proposal. Fang Zheng rejected vice president Sun Qian’s attempt to impose an unfavorable arrangement, preserving ACG’s independence 30 31 32.

TT retaliated with a smear campaign against Fang Zheng, ACG, and Akame ga Kill!. Fans organized a defense across the company forum and other online spaces. Rather than destroying the company, the controversy brought a surge of viewers and paying users; Zhang Siyu also filed a lawsuit after the Shanghai Entertainment Quarterly’s report 33 38.

Shanghai Daily subsequently endorsed Akame ga Kill! and praised the fans’ spontaneous defense. A Company rewarded participating users with the limited-edition “Till Death Do Us Part” title, free membership, and a poster 39 40.

Expansion

Akame ga Kill! established ACG’s initial reputation, while When Prison Food Arrives Next to Me expanded its audience and helped it become profitable. Girls und Panzer supported a large-scale tank-figurine business that also created work for artisans 114.

With official support secured, A Company prepared to leave its cramped Qinghui Building office. Departments moved into a standalone headquarters on a rotating basis, turning the new building into both an operational center and a public showcase 114 140.

Its three-day Anime Festival in Zhuyuan District introduced Luo Tianyi as the company spokesperson and attracted nearly a million tourists. The festival’s success drew media coverage, official recognition, and collaboration requests from music and other industries 158 159 160.

Diversification and Independence

A Company expanded into mobile games with Kantai Collection, then pursued larger themed construction projects, commercial shops, talent training, and automotive licensing 198 204 245 295 356.

Fang Zheng later outlined a creative model based on original employee-made comics and anime adaptations of the most successful works. This was intended to reduce dependence on the finite stock of anime he remembered and cultivate supporting studios and production teams 437.

Despite growing investor interest, the company remained Fang Zheng’s wholly owned enterprise. A casual stock-trading post sparked IPO rumors, but he clarified that A Company had no intention of financing a public offering 140 545 546.

Operations

Online Platform

• Streaming and access: ACG Community supports anime playback, an app, forums, and official livestreams 12 24 149 216.
• Membership: The documented subscription price is 15 yuan per month 24.
• Advertising policy: Zhang Siyu rejected almost all advertising proposals. The platform had no pop-ups, advertisements, unsolicited content pushes, or malicious software bundling 24.
• Infrastructure: System-provided servers resist lag, crashes, and intrusion. Experts hired to attack the servers failed to breach them 4 77 204.
• Audience scale: The Anime Festival’s official livestream exceeded 10 million viewers within five minutes 149.

Merchandise and Licensing

• Direct sales: The official website sells character-related clothing, bags, and figurines 70 89.
• Production network: Zhang Siyu located a factory near Shanghai for Fang Zheng’s merchandise plans 42.
• Figurines: The business includes character models and large tank figurines associated with Girls und Panzer 89 114.
• Publishing: A Company released an official Overlord novel and setting books, whose strong sales surprised Fang Zheng 223 225.
• Commercial strategy: Fang Zheng initially viewed the platform primarily as a way to popularize works and build demand for merchandise, rather than as his principal source of profit 42.
• Cross-industry licensing: Collaborations extend to game skins, musical instruments, outdoor supplies, and anime-themed vehicles 89 169 186 356.

Virtual Imaging and Music

• Luo Tianyi: The virtual spokesperson uses an advanced program that supports ordinary conversation and simple interaction with fans 115 158 159.
• Virtual performances: The Anime Festival showcased virtual imaging through its concerts and Luo Tianyi’s appearance 158 159 160.
• Cover policy: A Company makes its songs available for free cover versions. Other companies and singers reciprocated by allowing Luo Tianyi to cover their songs without fees 160.
• Concert planning: Zhang Siyu arranged a nationwide Luo Tianyi tour involving popular singers; official recognition accelerated discussions with local authorities 176 178.
• Automotive technology: A simplified virtual imaging system was integrated into collaborating manufacturers’ cars. Its non-dismantlable, one-time module could only be replaced through authorized channels to deter technology theft 535 536.

Game Development

• First mobile game: Kantai Collection launched shortly after its anime premiere, supported by official Weibo promotion and a prominent platform banner 204.
• Launch response: Registered users rapidly passed 3.07 million 204.
• Revenue: The game brought in nearly 100 million within a few days 206.
• Media promotion: Fang Zheng accepted a Modu TV Station interview partly to promote the game and the company’s larger projects 206.

Notable Productions

Work	Documented significance
Star Dream	A Company’s earliest work; chosen as the basis for an observatory attraction 198 224.
Akame ga Kill!	Established the company’s reputation and became the focus of its early confrontation with TT Group and online trolls 32 33 114.
When Prison Food Arrives Next to Me	Expanded the audience and helped bring the company into profitability 114.
Girls und Panzer	Supported tank-figurine sales, attracted military enthusiasts to the forum, and led to game-industry cooperation 86 89 114.
K-On!	Generated a music craze, inspired instrument partnerships, and received a second season 169 178.
Wataten!: An Angel Flew Down to Me	Received a second season during the period following the Anime Festival 178.
Laid-Back Camp	Inspired outdoor-experience stores and a planned camping attraction 186 198.
Plastic Memories	Included an in-story company name that viewers interpreted as A Company promotion; also received a planned theme park 190 198.
Kantai Collection	Connected anime production with the company’s first mobile game 201 204.
Overlord	Prompted a coordinated appearance by veteran supporters and supported novel and setting-book sales 216 223.
Saga of Tanya the Evil	Released with a title previously glimpsed in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, prompting fans to discuss the connection 261.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime	Used ACG’s name in its depiction of the protagonist’s former employer, which fans recognized as another advertisement 318 329.
New Game!	Used A Company’s headquarters as its game-company building and encouraged viewers to consider applying to the real company 427 431.
Initial D	Formed part of the company’s broader cooperation with domestic automotive manufacturers 535.

Facilities and Cultural Projects

Headquarters

• Original office: More than 300 square meters in Qinghui Building, shared with other businesses 69.
• Space constraints: The Voice Acting Department had to train elsewhere because the original headquarters could not accommodate its growing staff 115.
• Standalone headquarters: The replacement building was designed as the core of Fang Zheng’s future 2D empire. Visiting business representatives described it as luxurious 69 140 169.
• Zhuyuan grounds: The headquarters and surrounding land became the center of festivals, themed construction, and commercial development 144 159 206 295.

Themed Attractions

Fang Zheng announced seven large-scale projects tied to the company’s existing productions 198.

Associated Work	Planned Facility
Star Dream	Observatory 198
Akame ga Kill!	Memorial hall 198
When Prison Food Arrives Next to Me	Children’s playground 198
Girls und Panzer	Tank battle base 198
K-On!	Concert venue described as a “budokan” 198
Laid-Back Camp	Camping experience area 198
Plastic Memories	Theme park 198

• Military hardware: Fang Zheng acquired a decommissioned tank, and A Company later received customized modified battle tanks and Type 59 tanks from the military 200 266.
• Commercial street: Shops around the Planetarium attracted existing partners and new businesses seeking both visitor traffic and association with A Company’s brand 294 295.
• Tenant requirements: Shops must incorporate 2D elements, such as anime themes or cosplay staff. Fang Zheng prohibited price gouging, low-quality goods, and cheating customers 296.
• Anime Carnival: A later event was announced to begin on June 1 and last ten days 347.

Staff and Training

Key Personnel

Person	Position / Contribution
Fang Zheng	Founder, chairman, sole owner, and principal anime producer; delegates much of the company’s administration to Zhang Siyu 11 45 72.
Zhang Siyu	Appointed CEO; establishes departments, handles business negotiations, and develops the company’s operational structure 11 16 296.
Yang Li	Manager of the Voice Acting Department, responsible for the company’s voice actors 17.
Chen Xianting	Fang Zheng’s personal assistant; manages scheduling, supports negotiations, and reviews contracts 160 170 482.
Duan Shuiqing	Early voice actor recruited for Akame ga Kill!; receives Mine’s lines after joining 18.
Qin Miaomiao	Voice actor and singer promoted as the company’s leading voice-actor idol 93 250.
Liu Ying	Qin Miaomiao’s agent; joins alongside her and arranges outside appearances 93 250.
Ding Muyu and Shen Anping	Employees offered five-year contracts and entrusted with confidential comic plans 482.

Recruitment and Development

• Selection standards: Recruitment emphasizes professional skills and overall aptitude rather than a degree alone. Fan status does not guarantee preferential treatment 431 450.
• Voice-actor auditions: Applicants work from Akame ga Kill! scripts and sign confidentiality agreements; Fang Zheng evaluates whether voices fit specific characters 17.
• Artisan apprenticeships: The company pays tuition for apprentices and rewards veteran artisans who successfully train qualified successors 101.
• Academy partnership: A Company maintains a long-term partnership with Shuchiin Academy, offering free training in 2D-related skills and employment opportunities for outstanding graduates 450.
• Training breadth: Fang Zheng invests in instructors for dance, music, etiquette, and other fields 437.
• Original creators: His planned comics model gives trained employees a route to create their own stories, with successful works considered for anime adaptation 437.

Workplace Culture

• Benefits: A Company is known for unusually strong pay and benefits, making recruitment highly competitive 318 450.
• Exclusive merchandise: Employee perks include an internally exclusive Kanna body pillow unavailable through public retail 483.
• Conduct: Fang Zheng refuses to hire arrogant or condescending applicants, regardless of talent, and expects employees to treat ordinary people respectfully 329.
• Public reputation: Staff and performers must not use the company’s name to cause trouble or damage its reputation 250.
• Creative freedom: Qin Miaomiao receives considerable freedom outside assigned work and values the company’s protection, flexibility, and access to anime-related perks 250 260.
• Workload: Overtime becomes common during major expansion periods, despite the company’s attractive benefits 144.

Community

“Till Death Do Us Part”

• Origin: A non-repeatable honorary title awarded to users who defended A Company during the Akame ga Kill! controversy 35 40.
• Rewards: Recipients received a free month of membership and a poster 40.
• Exclusive privilege: Special colored bullet comments cannot be obtained simply by paying 215.
• Etiquette: Holders normally avoid displaying their effects excessively to preserve the community’s atmosphere 215.
• Later appearance: Veteran supporters coordinated a conspicuous defense during Overlord’s premiere, recalling their earlier clashes with trolls 216.

Forum Culture

• Scale: The forum becomes the internet’s largest gathering place for anime and 2D-culture fans 224 589 590.
• Specialist discussion: Girls und Panzer attracts military enthusiasts who post tank explanations and historical references 86.
• Fan relations: Fang Zheng deliberately maintains an approachable relationship with users to reduce the distance between the company and its audience 329.
• Roleplay trend: Users later adopt exaggerated chunibyo personas and grandiose dialogue, spreading the style beyond the forum while Fang Zheng remains unaware 575 589 590.
• Official-account joke: Fans repeatedly call the company’s official Weibo account a “marketing account,” frustrating its operator’s attempts to establish official authority 201 204.

Partnerships and Rivals

• TT Group / Sun Qian — Early corporate rival. Its failed attempt to secure a disadvantageous agreement leads to a smear campaign against ACG and Akame ga Kill! 31 32.
• Yang He — Participant in the online attacks; later faces fan backlash and a lawsuit filed by Zhang Siyu 33 38.
• Secretary Zou — Shanghai official who supports the company’s development and warns Fang Zheng against careless public offerings or financing from unknown capital. He offers to help arrange bank credit if funding becomes a problem 114 200 546.
• Elder Pang / Military — Contacts involved in discussions about military representation and the supply of tanks for company projects 101 200 266.
• Shanghai Daily — Publicly endorses Akame ga Kill! and strongly covers the Anime Festival 39 159 160.
• Modu TV Station — Provides early media support; Fang Zheng later accepts another interview partly in gratitude 206.
• WOT / Chris — Gaming partner whose Girls und Panzer collaboration uses a revenue-sharing model for in-game skins 88 89.
• Kumao Music / Kang Jiaming — Music partner that opens a Zhuyuan store selling 2D music albums 186 295.
• Mage Instrument / Su Youwei — Musical-instrument partner involved in K-On!-related negotiations and commercial-street development 169 170 295.
• Tian Hao Outdoor Supplies / Liu Jiayun — Outdoor-goods partner whose themed experience store replicates Laid-Back Camp 186 295.
• Yiqi Group / Yi Jinpeng — Automotive partner involved in compliant itasha customization, 2D interiors, and virtual imaging systems 535 536.

Finances and Ownership

Milestone	Details
Initial capital	Fang Zheng later recalls that the company began with five million in funds 144.
Early profitability	Rising paid membership brings the company into initial profitability 42.
Monthly report	A financial report records more than 73 million yuan in net income for the preceding month; Zhang Siyu suggests a valuation above 100 million yuan 69.
Allocated funds	Fang Zheng states that 50 billion in funds allocated “from above” had arrived before he committed to a major project 133.
Construction concerns	Zhang Siyu warns that the seven-attraction plan could overwhelm the company’s finances 198.
Bankruptcy claim	Fang Zheng tells a television interviewer that the construction project has brought A Company close to bankruptcy; the interviewer doubts the claim 208.
IPO clarification	Partners and venture-capital firms react to misunderstood stock-trading remarks, but Fang Zheng denies any intention to take the company public 545 546.

• Ownership principle: Fang Zheng treats sole ownership as essential to maintaining control over the company 140.
• Industry strategy: He favors licensing and cooperation over entering every profitable field himself, and explicitly rejects blocking other companies from the 2D industry 356.