【Kids Station】Famous as Japan’s leading children’s program production company! What kind of company is Kids Station, which even ventured into game development in the 2000s?

When people hear the name *Kids Station*, many might immediately think of a “children’s anime channel.” And that’s exactly right—it has long been loved as a dedicated anime channel that kids and adults alike could enjoy among the multichannel lineups. But in fact, it didn’t stop at broadcasting. Kids Station also took part in anime production, mail-order sales, and even released video games for home consoles and PCs. What makes it so interesting is how it leapt beyond the boundaries of being just a TV broadcaster to continually pursue new possibilities in entertainment.

It may surprise some, but Kids Station actually began in 1991. At first, it was called *Lemon Channel*, operated as an in-house division of Okura Shoji, distributing content via cable TV. And back then, instead of satellite communication, they literally sent out tapes—an analog method! In 1993, however, they switched to satellite broadcasting through the *JC-SAT2* satellite, and at that point the channel was renamed *Kids Station* and operations were transferred to an independent company, *Neo Satellite Vision*. From there, it truly started its journey as a full-fledged anime channel.

There’s also a little anecdote from the analog CS broadcasting era. Originally, it was meant to be watched via CATV, but in reality it wasn’t scrambled—so if you had a compatible tuner, you could enjoy it for free! For fans, that “feeling of getting a lucky bonus” remains a nostalgic memory. At the time, broadcasting ran from 10 AM to 10 PM, and outside those hours another channel, *Bandai Chara Net TV* (now AT-X), was aired instead. For those who lived through this era alongside the changing anime culture, it must hold very special memories.

From the early to mid-2000s, Kids Station also actively engaged in game development. For example, they produced games based on popular works like *Zettai Zetsumei Dangerous Jiisan* and *Gakuen Alice*, which appealed to both children and adults. Looking back now, their willingness to connect with fans not just through anime broadcasting, but also through home consoles and PCs, was a bold and exciting challenge—and many people probably still remember that thrill.

Unfortunately, they have since withdrawn from the game business. Even so, the fact that we can look back and say, “There was such a time,” is proof of Kids Station’s wide-ranging activities, firmly etched into its history.

Kids Station was never just an anime channel—it continuously pursued the possibilities of entertainment, reshaping itself with each era. From behind-the-scenes broadcasting stories, free viewing episodes, to ventures into the gaming industry, its history shows it meant much more than a single channel. Though it has stepped away from game production today, its spirit of challenge and flexibility surely remain vivid in fans’ memories. When reminiscing about old times while enjoying today’s anime culture, many people probably smile when the name *Kids Station* comes to mind.