TBS, Toei Animation, TV Tokyo invest in anime platform AniBiz.com

Toei Animation’s anime IP includes such titles as One Piece

Japanese trio TBS Group, Toei Animation and TV Tokyo have invested in California-based Nakama’s anime licensing platform AniBiz.com.

According to Nakama, AniBiz has grown to more than 30 anime licensors since launching in July. These include ABC Animation, docomo Anime Store, Genco and TV Asahi.

Any company interested in anime IP can sign up for free and connect directly with official rights holders. Interested companies include brands and manufacturers, retailers, game and app developers, restaurants, food and beverage firms, event organisers, agencies and creators.

Brady McCollum, co-founder and CEO at Nakama, said: “When the companies that create and license anime’s biggest IP invest in a platform, it says this is where the industry does business. This investment further solidifies AniBiz.com as the official gateway for global anime licensing and collaboration.”

Toei Animation is the company behind anime IP including One Piece and Dragon Ball Z.

Masayuki Endo, senior executive officer and deputy head of sales and planning headquarters at Toei Animation, said: “Toei Animation has spent nearly 70 years building characters that are loved around the world. Protecting that IP while opening it to new partners requires the right infrastructure. We believe AniBiz is that infrastructure, and we are investing to help it become the industry standard.”