Nakama Launches AniBiz.com to Centralize Global Anime Licensing

Nakama, the media company founded by Kun Gao, officially launched AniBiz.com on Thursday. The platform serves as a dedicated business-to-business (B2B) marketplace designed to streamline the complex anime licensing process for global buyers and Japanese rights holders. By providing a centralized, secure digital environment, the platform aims to replace traditional, fragmented networking methods with an official, verified path for acquiring anime intellectual property (IP).

How AniBiz.com Changes Anime IP Acquisition

The global anime market is projected to exceed $35 billion this year, yet the industry has historically relied on informal, relationship-based licensing. According to Nakama, the current system is often inaccessible to emerging brands, startups, and international distributors who lack existing connections in Japan. AniBiz.com addresses these friction points by offering a digital-first solution that maps the unique ecosystem of rights holders, distributors, and merchandisers.

The platform provides data-driven insights into market trends and territory-specific demand, allowing users to make informed decisions regarding their global IP strategies. For licensors, the site offers increased visibility and control over their assets. For buyers, it acts as a verified gateway to engage directly with the Japanese anime industry.

Which Companies Are Supporting the Platform?

At launch, AniBiz.com secured partnerships with a significant roster of major Japanese licensors and production entities. These companies will use the platform to manage and distribute their IP to a global audience. The initial launch partners include:

• ADK Emotions Inc.
• Aniplex of America Inc.
• Avex Pictures Inc.
• CyberAgent Inc.
• Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
• Dentsu Anime Solutions Inc.
• Fuji Creative Corporation
• FURYU Pictures Corporation
• Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures Inc.
• Imagica Infos Co., Ltd.
• Mainichi Broadcasting System
• Pony Canyon Inc.
• TAKARATOMY
• Toei Animation Inc.
• TOHO Global Inc.
• Tokyo Broadcasting System
• TV Asahi Corporation
• TV TOKYO Corporation
• Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation and YTE

Leadership and Industry Vision

AniBiz.com is led by the Nakama co-founding team, which includes Kun Gao, president; Brady McCollum, CEO; and Sae Whan Song, head of business development.

“Anime licensing is uniquely complex. Rights are fragmented across territories, formats, products, and time windows,” McCollum said in a statement. “AniBiz was built specifically for those realities.”

The leadership team emphasizes that the platform is intended to democratize access to the industry. Gao noted that for decades, participation in the anime economy often depended on personal professional networks. By creating an official, centralized marketplace, the founders aim to lower the barrier to entry for international partners, ranging from manufacturers and event organizers to creators looking to incorporate anime IP into their projects.

Market Context and Future Outlook

The launch of AniBiz.com occurs as demand for anime continues to rise in both established and developing international markets. By professionalizing the licensing pipeline, Nakama intends to foster new collaborations that were previously difficult to facilitate due to the opaque nature of traditional rights management.

The platform is currently live and open to all global buyers and licensees. As the industry continues its rapid expansion, AniBiz.com positions itself as the primary infrastructure for the next phase of global anime commercialization, aiming to bridge the gap between Japanese content creators and the worldwide market.