Anime Licensing Platform AniBiz Secures $6 Million in Funding From Major Japanese Licensors

Nakama, the startup behind the business-to-business anime licensing platform AniBiz.com, has raised an initial $6 million in funding. The investment comes from three major Japanese anime licensors: TBS Group, Toei Animation, and TV Tokyo Holdings.

AniBiz was launched in July by Crunchyroll founder Kun Gao alongside former Crunchyroll executives Brady McCollum and Sae Whan Song. The platform is designed as a centralized B2B marketplace to connect global buyers with anime intellectual property rights holders.

Platform Growth and Participating Rights Holders

• Initial Growth: The site hosts more than 30 anime licensors, growing from 20 participants at its launch.
• New Participants: Newly added rights holders include ABC Animation, DMM.com, docomo Anime Store, Genco, GREE Entertainment, Shochiku, ShoPro, and Sola Entertainment.
• Existing Partners: They join previous launch partners such as ADK Emotions, Avex Pictures, CyberAgent, Dentsu Anime Solutions, DNP, FCC, Furyu Pictures, Hakuhodo DY MAP, Imagica, MBS, Pony Canyon, TAKARATOMY, TOHO Global, TV Asahi, and YTE.

Leadership Statements and Industry Impact

Nakama co-founder and CEO Brady McCollum stated that the investment reinforces AniBiz as a gateway for global anime licensing and collaboration. Masayuki Endo, senior executive officer at Toei Animation, noted that the platform provides necessary infrastructure for protecting intellectual property while opening it to new partners. Toshiyuki Hiraoka, senior managing director at TV Tokyo Holdings, added that the partnership aims to maximize the global value of anime IP and expand the licensee network.

According to Nakama, AniBiz is open to any company interested in licensing anime without requiring prior industry relationships. Co-founder and head of business development Sae Whan Song stated that the platform aims to provide an official entry point for companies worldwide to access anime intellectual property.

Practical Implications and Verification

For companies seeking to license anime intellectual property, the platform provides a centralized directory of participating rights holders. Interested parties can review official announcements and platform details directly on AniBiz.com or through official corporate statements released by Nakama, TBS Group, Toei Animation, and TV Tokyo Holdings.