The anime licensing market has gained a new tool aimed at companies interested in working with Japanese intellectual properties. Kun Gao, co-founder and former CEO of Crunchyroll, announced the launch of AniBiz, a platform created to connect anime rights holders with potential business partners.
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According to information released by Nakama, a company founded by Gao, AniBiz debuts as a B2B marketplace focused exclusively on the global anime industry. Therefore, the aim is to facilitate contact between studios, production committees, distributors, and companies interested in licensing characters, series, and brands.
How does AniBiz work?
AniBiz's anime platform brings together a database of thousands of anime series and aims to simplify processes that normally depend on direct contacts and networking. Companies already present include Toei Animation, Aniplex, TV Tokyo, TOHO Global, Pony Canyon , and Avex Pictures.
In addition, AniBiz offers different levels of access. The basic plan is free and allows companies to create profiles to be found by licensors. However, the professional version costs US$49 per month and includes access to detailed information on titles, production committees, and other industry data.
Expansion of the anime market
According to Kun Gao, the goal is to reduce barriers for new partners to enter the anime market. The executive believes there are far more companies interested in working with Japanese properties than the industry can currently accommodate.
The initiative also includes Brady McCollum, CEO of Nakama, and Sae Whan Song, a professional who has worked at companies such as Crunchyroll, Toei Animation , and Viz Media. As the platform launches, new rights holders are expected to be added in the coming months.
Source: Variety
