Crunchyroll founder and former CEO Kun Gao’s anime-focused media company NAKAMA launched a new platform, AniBiz.com, on Thursday. The service is described as “the first dedicated B2B marketplace built specifically for the global anime industry.”
AniBiz.com, led by Nakama co-founder and president Gao, co-founder and CEO Brady McCollum, and co-founder and Se Hwang Song, is designed to streamline the anime licensing process in a “centralized and secure environment.”
At launch, AniBiz.com signed agreements to support the following anime licensors on its platform: ADK Emotions Inc., Aniplex of America Inc., and Avex Pictures. Inc., CyberAgent Co., Ltd., Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., Dentsu Anime Solutions Co., Ltd., Fuji Creative Co., Ltd., Frew Pictures Co., Ltd., Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures Co., Ltd., Imagika Foss Co., Ltd., Mainichi Broadcasting Corporation, Pony Canyon Co., Ltd., Takara Tomy, Toei Animation Co., Ltd., Toho Global Co., Ltd., Tokyo Broadcasting Co., Ltd., TV Asahi Co., Ltd., TV Tokyo Co., Ltd., Yomiuri Television Co., Ltd., YTE, etc.
The announcement comes as the global anime market is estimated to exceed $35 billion this year, and interest in anime IP has exceeded what the traditional, highly fragmented global licensing system can support. AniBiz.com says it “addresses these challenges by delivering a digital-first solution that respects the unique structure of Japanese anime licensing and the ecosystem of rights holders, distributors, merchandisers and retailers, while providing new global buyers with an officially verified path to acquire and collaborate on anime IP.”
AniBiz.com went live on Thursday, and the platform is now open to all buyers and licensees worldwide.
According to owner Nakama, AniBiz.com “aims to foster new collaborations by lowering the barrier to entry for people around the world interested in working on anime IP in both established and developing international markets.”
AniBiz.com promises “data-driven insights into market trends and region-specific demands” that will help buyers and sellers make “informed decisions about global IP strategy.”
“Anime licensing is unique and complex. Rights are fragmented by region, format, product, and time period,” said McCallum, co-founder and CEO of Nakama. “AniBiz was purpose-built for these realities. We are building a trusted system that gives licensors greater visibility and control while helping buyers act faster with confidence.”
“For decades, access to anime IP has been highly dependent on who you know,” said co-founder and president Gao. “By becoming the official marketplace for anime IP, AniBiz.com opens the door to a whole new category of partners, from emerging brands and manufacturers to creators, events, and startups looking to participate in the anime economy.”
Song, co-founder and head of business development, added, “The anime industry finally has a dedicated platform to call home for all things B2B. In true Nakama spirit, AniBiz.com brings the entire industry together and allows us to directly engage with a new world of global partners interested in working with anime IP. Through the AniBiz platform, the whole world can now access the anime industry in one official location.”
