The global anime industry just received a major boost with the launch of AniBiz.com, an innovative Business-to-Business (B2B) marketplace spearheaded by Kun Gao's Nakama. Launched on July 2, AniBiz is making waves by providing a dedicated platform designed to streamline anime IP licensing worldwide. This exciting development comes with significant backing, as the platform recently secured a US$6 million investment from major anime licensors TBS Group, Toei Animation, and TV Tokyo Holdings, underscoring the industry's belief in its potential.
Unlocking Anime Licensing Potential
AniBiz is poised to be a game-changer, described as the first dedicated B2B marketplace built specifically for the global anime industry. Its core mission is to connect anime IP rights holders and decision-makers—including studios, production committees, and rights management companies—with qualified licensees. These licensees range from consumer brands, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to startups, creators, game studios, and entertainment companies, all seeking to license anime content and characters. The platform aims to bridge the gap between those who own valuable anime IP and those eager to utilize it.
A New Era of Discovery and Collaboration
One of the biggest hurdles in anime licensing has traditionally been access and discovery. As Kun Gao, co-founder and president of Nakama, highlighted, access to anime IP has largely depended on personal connections. AniBiz directly addresses this by offering a transparent and efficient system. The platform boasts a database covering thousands of anime series and employs a sophisticated system for discovery, matchmaking, and warm introductions. This approach promises to be significantly faster and more transparent than traditional cold outreach or fragmented industry networks, fostering new collaborations by lowering the barrier to entry for businesses globally interested in working with anime IP.
Industry Giants Join the Platform
AniBiz has quickly attracted an impressive roster of licensors, now hosting over 30 companies. Its website features a comprehensive list of studios, broadcasters, committee members, and IP owners. This extensive list includes prominent names such as ABC Animation, ADK, Aniplex, Avex Pictures, CyberAgent, Dai Nippon Printing, dentsu, DMM.com, Docomo Anime Store, Fuji Creative Corporation, FuRyu Pictures, GENCO, Gree, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, IMAGICA Infos, MBS, Pony Canyon, Sho-Pro, Takara Tomy, TBS, Toei Animation, TOHO Global, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo, Warner Bros. Japan, YTV, and YTE. This strong lineup demonstrates the industry's confidence in AniBiz's ability to facilitate licensing opportunities.
Flexible Access for Licensees
AniBiz offers various tiers to accommodate different types of licensees. The basic tier is free, allowing licensees to create a profile that licensors can search. For those seeking deeper engagement, a pro tier is available at US$49 per month. This subscription provides access to a rich data feed of titles, production committees, and other vital information. Additionally, a more bespoke tier caters to companies with special requests, ensuring that AniBiz can meet diverse needs within the licensing ecosystem. Gao anticipates even more licensors joining the platform in the coming months, further expanding its offerings.
Empowering a Global Anime Economy
Kun Gao emphasized that the complicated nature of anime licensing often makes it difficult for new licensees to break into the business. Similarly, licensors face challenges in finding new partners and guiding them through the intricate process. AniBiz is built precisely with these challenges in mind. By streamlining the process and providing an educational framework, the platform aims to empower new licensees and facilitate their entry into the anime economy. Gao believes there's a vast untapped world of potential licensees, estimating a tenfold or even hundredfold increase beyond the existing industry participants. This strategic expansion is set to unlock unprecedented growth and innovation within the global anime sector, driving forward new partnerships and expanding the reach of beloved anime content to new markets and products.
Visionary Leadership
Behind AniBiz's ambitious vision is a strong leadership team. Alongside Kun Gao, Nakama's co-founder and CEO Brady McCollum plays a pivotal role. Sae Whan Song, another co-founder, brings valuable industry experience from previous tenures at Toei Animation, Crunchyroll, and Viz Media. Their combined expertise is instrumental in navigating the complexities of the anime industry and ensuring AniBiz's success in fostering a more accessible and collaborative licensing environment.
