The origins of Kadokawa Gempak Starz date to 1994, when the entity that would become Art Square Group was established as an advertising agency serving major corporate clients before diversifying into publishing.1 The publishing division evolved into GEMPAK STARZ, which the company identifies as its graphic-novel publishing arm established in 2001. By 2013, the group had produced more than 250 publications across various genres, featuring creators from Malaysia, the region, and internationally.8

A distinction exists between the company’s corporate founding and the establishment of the Gempak Starz publishing brand:

1994 → Art Square Group begins
2001 → GEMPAK STARZ publishing arm established
2015 → Partnership/acquisition by KADOKAWA
2016 → Kadokawa Gempak Starz identity established

Consequently, some sources cite 1994 as the founding date, while others associate the beginning of the publishing history with the late 1990s or early 2000s.

The Gempak magazine

A pivotal development in the company’s history was the creation of Gempak, a Malaysian magazine centred on comics and ACG (Animation, Comics and Games) culture. Launched in 1998, it utilised an “info-comic” concept that combined fictional comics with informational articles and coverage of the ACG world, distinguishing it from conventional comic magazines of the period.8 This platform helped expose local creators to a wider audience and contributed to the publisher’s expansion. The magazine’s model integrated entertainment, education, pop culture, factual information, local creativity, and international ACG culture, characteristics that became central to the Gempak Starz publishing identity.

Expansion into Gempak Starz

Following the success of Gempak, Art Square expanded its publishing activities under the GEMPAK STARZ brand. The company diversified beyond magazines into graphic novels, comic-book series, children’s books, novels, educational publications, translated works, merchandise, digital publications, and licensed intellectual properties.8 This expansion established Gempak Starz as a significant force in Malaysian comics rather than solely a magazine publisher.

Acquisition by KADOKAWA

In 2015, Gempak Starz joined the Japanese entertainment and publishing group KADOKAWA Corporation. Contemporary references identify Kadokawa Holdings Asia as acquiring an 80% stake in Malaysian Art Square Group, although KADOKAWA’s corporate materials describe the transaction more generally as an acquisition of a stake.8 Following this deal, the company adopted the Kadokawa Gempak Starz name.

This partnership provided Gempak Starz with access to KADOKAWA’s international publishing network, Japanese manga and entertainment IP, international licensing opportunities, multimedia IP development expertise, and connections to the animation and games sectors. For KADOKAWA, the acquisition secured a foothold in the Malaysian and Southeast Asian creative-content market, particularly in children’s publishing and comics. KADOKAWA has subsequently described the Malaysian company as a key component of its Southeast Asian publishing network.9

Since joining KADOKAWA, Gempak Starz has transitioned from a conventional publisher to an IP and creative-content company. Its stated ambition involves developing content across multiple platforms, including comics, novels, magazines, animation, games, digital media, multimedia, and merchandise. The corporate vision is articulated through six themes under the acronym “CHANGE”:

• C — Creative: Create original content that is inspiring and entertaining.
• H — Happiness: Bring happiness to audiences and business partners.
• A — Advance: Push the boundaries of creative expression.
• N — Network: Build relationships and alliances.
• G — Global: Expand Malaysian-created content internationally.
• E — Empower: Inspire and empower future generations.11

Lawak Kampus

Lawak Kampus (Chinese: 秀逗高校) is one of Gempak Starz’s most recognisable Malaysian comic properties. Created by Malaysian cartoonist Keith, it is a four-panel school comedy depicting the everyday absurdities of student life. Originally serialised in Gempak magazine, it became a standalone book series and is described as one of the publisher’s best-selling titles.8 The franchise has expanded to include dozens of books, merchandise, exhibitions, collaborations, digital content, animation, and collectible products. In 2023, Gempak Starz celebrated the 20th anniversary of Lawak Kampus, which included the launch of the LK School Daze animated web series. Keith’s work received recognition from the Malaysia World Book of Records for the “Longest-running Yonkoma Comic Series.”8 The franchise remains active, with the official store listing volumes extending beyond the original series alongside related collectibles.5

X-VENTURE

X-VENTURE is a major educational-adventure IP combining adventure, comics, science, and education. Various series within the franchise use characters and narratives to introduce subjects such as animals, natural history, science, mythology, mysteries, geography, legendary creatures, and exploration.

X-VENTURE: Primal Power

Primal Power focuses on animals and the natural world. Described as a 12-volume educational series examining the strengths and weaknesses of different animals, it is available in Chinese, English, and Malay.8 KADOKAWA specifically identifies Primal Power as an example of Gempak Starz’s original content published internationally.

X-VENTURE: The Golden Age of Adventures

This series follows characters Alex and Lulu as they travel globally, encountering mysteries and forgotten ruins. It is listed as one of the publisher’s best-selling series, with more than 50 volumes available in Chinese, English, and Malay.2

X-VENTURE: Ultimate Showdown

This branch explores mythical and legendary creatures, distinguishing mythology from scientific reality by combining fantasy concepts with factual information.3

The educational-entertainment formula demonstrates that Gempak Starz does not rely solely on humour comics but has developed “edutainment” as a core publishing strength.

Other publishing brands

Gempak Starz operates multiple publishing lines:

• Magic Bean: Associated with literature and youth-oriented fiction, including Malay-language editions and junior versions.8
• Candy: A notable property for which the company celebrated the franchise’s fifth anniversary in 2019.2
• Prince: A major IP with books and merchandise available through the official store.3
• Learn More: Educational comics and learning-oriented material published under educational lines.

A defining feature of Kadokawa Gempak Starz is its multilingual publishing model. Original content is commonly published in Malay, Chinese, and English. For instance, both Lawak Kampus and X-VENTURE: Primal Power are officially offered in these three languages.8 This approach allows major local IPs to reach diverse linguistic communities within Malaysia and the region. The company also licenses content internationally, with deals involving countries including China, Indonesia, and Thailand.8

Through its relationship with KADOKAWA and independent licensing activities, Kadokawa Gempak Starz handles foreign IP and licensed merchandise, particularly from Japan and other Asian markets. The official store carries products connected with Japanese and international properties alongside Malaysian creations.4 This facilitates a two-way flow: introducing Japanese and Asian comics, novels, and merchandise to Malaysian audiences, while licensing Malaysian-created properties for overseas distribution. KADOKAWA states that Gempak Starz publishes original material internationally and aims to maximise content value through media mix development.5

Gempak Starz has moved beyond treating comic IPs as exclusively printed books. Historical projects include digital comics, mobile applications, web content, YouTube channels, animation projects, short films, exhibitions, collaborations with animation studios, merchandise, collectible products, NFTs, and e-books. Specific initiatives include the Lawak Kampus: Dimension Drift app, webcomics on Webtoon, an NFT launched in 2021, and the LK School Daze animated web series.5

The company has collaborated with Malaysian animation companies, including Animonsta Studios (MONSTA). Notable collaborations include a Lawak Kampus × BoBoiBoy Galaxy special-edition comic in 2018 and Mechamato × X-VENTURE in 2023.6 These efforts exemplify the media-mix model employed by KADOKAWA across its international businesses.

Digital milestones

These milestones illustrate the company’s evolution from a magazine publisher to a multimedia IP company.8

Gempak Starz operates as a merchandise company alongside its publishing activities. Its official online store sells books, comics, graphic novels, stationery, figures, plush toys, apparel, accessories, character merchandise, licensed Japanese products, and imported IP merchandise. The store explicitly offers Malaysian-created comics and graphic novels as well as licensed merchandise from Japan, China, and Taiwan.5 Successful properties now function as franchises; for example, Lawak Kampus has generated collectibles, figures, accessories, and collaborations in addition to traditional comic volumes.7

The company utilises exhibitions and physical events to promote Malaysian comics and creators. Activities have included road tours, comic exhibitions, artist sharing sessions, writing competitions, short-film competitions, bookstore collaborations, National Art Gallery exhibitions, participation in international book fairs, and ACG-related events. In 2013, the company marked the 10th anniversary of Lawak Kampus with an exhibition at the National Visual Arts Gallery. A decade later, it held the KEEP GOING exhibition at the National Art Gallery to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Gempak Starz and the 20th anniversary of Lawak Kampus.7

Kadokawa Gempak Starz is distinct from a simple rebranding of Japanese KADOKAWA; it remains rooted in Malaysian creative production. Its role within the group is to develop and publish content from Malaysia and Southeast Asia while bringing international IP into the local market. KADOKAWA emphasises Gempak Starz’s ability to develop its own IP in-house and its strength in publishing content in Malay, Chinese, and English.10

The corporate structure positions KADOKAWA Gempak Starz as a regional hub:

KADOKAWA Corporation 🇯🇵
↓
KADOKAWA GEMPAK STARZ 🇲🇾
↓
Local publishing / IP development / licensing / merchandise / digital content
↓
KADOKAWA GEMPAK STARZ (S) PTE. LTD. 🇸🇬 and other regional activities

KADOKAWA lists the Singapore company as a subsidiary involved in Japanese comic translation, publication, merchandise, and events.12

Kadokawa Gempak Starz occupies a unique position in the Malaysian comics industry by connecting local comic culture with international publishing. Historically, Malaysian comics were associated with magazines, newspaper strips, and locally circulated comic books. Gempak Starz helped popularise the graphic-novel format while creating a market for original Malaysian IP. Its operational model integrates creator development, multilingual publication, merchandising, digital adaptation, multimedia potential, and international licensing, functioning closer to a modern IP studio ecosystem than a conventional book publisher.

Key distinctive factors include:

1. Strong Malaysian identity: Major properties are created by Malaysian artists for local readers despite the Japanese parentage.
2. Multilingual publishing: Editions in Malay, Chinese, and English allow IPs to reach multiple language communities.8
3. Educational comics: Franchises like X-VENTURE combine entertainment with science and education.
4. Original IP development: The company owns and develops substantial original properties rather than relying entirely on licensed manga.10
5. International ambitions: Properties are licensed overseas, and KADOKAWA has expanded international distribution of original works.8
6. Media mix: Successful comics are adapted into web series, animations, apps, merchandise lines, and collaborations.

• 1994: Art Square Group begins as an advertising agency.1
• 1998: Gempak magazine launches, establishing the info-comic publishing model.8
• 2001: GEMPAK STARZ established as the group’s graphic-novel publishing arm.8
• 2003: Lawak Kampus begins publication.
• 2010: X-VENTURE Xplorers launches; digital and international activities expand.8
• 2013: Company reports more than 250 publications; Lawak Kampus reaches 10th anniversary.8
• 2014: Digital comic initiatives expand.
• 2015: Gempak Starz joins KADOKAWA.9
• 2016: Company operates as Kadokawa Gempak Starz; expands licensing, multilingual publishing, and digital projects.10
• 2017–2018: Expansion of e-books, online portals, YouTube content, and animation collaborations.11
• 2020: X-VENTURE celebrates 10th anniversary.
• 2021: Webcomics and NFT initiatives launched.
• 2022: Girypto open-source IP project launches.
• 2023: 25th anniversary of Gempak Starz and 20th anniversary of Lawak Kampus celebrated; LK School Daze launches.8
• 2025–2026: KADOKAWA continues positioning Gempak Starz as a Southeast Asian original-IP and media-mix hub, with original content such as Primal Power distributed internationally.12

1. Kadokawa Gempak Starz
2. 子どもの知能を限界まで伸ばす!?　脳をエクササイズする学習まんが「ナゾトキ・ハンター」シリーズ。ナゾトキ動画をはじめスペシャルコンテンツを続々配信開始！ | 商品・サービストピックス | KADOKAWAグループ ポータルサイト
3. フルカラー＆縦スクロールで楽しめる！ KADOKAWA「タテスクコミック」レーベルが始動！ | 商品・サービストピックス | KADOKAWAグループ ポータルサイト
4. Home – Gempak Starz | Malaysia Top Publisher | Top Malaysia Comic
5. KADOKAWA | Gempak Starz Store
6. Home – Gempak Starz | komik Malaysia | komik online Malaysia
7. Terms & Conditions | Gempak Starz Store
8. Gempak Starz
9. Kadokawa Gempak Starz Sdn Bhd – Malaysian Book Publishers Association
10. Kadokawa Gempak Starz Sdn Bhd – Malaysian Book Publishers Association
11. KADOKAWA GEMPAK STARZ | LinkedIn
12. KADOKAWA GEMPAK STARZ (KGS) Opens First Direct Store “K+”in Malaysia KGS is one of Malaysia’s leading entertainment companies and has been part of the KADOKAWA Group since 2015. KGS celebrated its… | KADOKAWA Corporation