Japan’s Anime Boom Is Attracting Wealthy Investors, Major Conglomerates

Japan's Anime Boom Is Attracting Wealthy Investors, Major Conglomerates

As a devoted anime fan with years of experience immersed in this captivating world, I can’t help but be thrilled by the latest developments within the industry. The news that Marubeni and Mizuho Securities have entered the anime scene as investors is nothing short of exhilarating!


Many hours of effort are put into creating the anime shows you enjoy, whether it’s “My Hero Academia” or “Kimi ni Todoke.” The production process for each anime is unique, and although the industry is large, its inner workings have become more predictable over the years. However, things are shifting as the anime industry sees a surge in post-COVID popularity, with two major corporations reportedly preparing to invest in its future.

According to Varity’s report, two major Japanese companies, Marubeni and Shogakukan, have entered the anime industry for investment. Marubeni, Japan’s 13th largest corporation and a significant trading entity, is collaborating with Shogakukan, a renowned manga publisher, to invest in both anime and manga sectors.

As an avid fan and follower of anime and manga, I’m thrilled to share that Marubeni acknowledged the immense potential of this industry in their investment statement last year. They estimated the overseas sales of Japanese content to reach an impressive JPY4.7 trillion ($2.9 billion) in 2022. The popularity of anime and manga has been rapidly growing, fueled by the increasing demand for stay-at-home entertainment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Major overseas distributors have also been aggressively expanding their distribution channels, broadening the market beyond just content to include merchandise such as games.

I’ve been deeply disappointed as a fan when when great content isn’t easily accessible to me and other fans around the world due to the absence of direct distribution networks and retail outlets. This missing link means we miss out on valuable opportunities to support creators and engage with their work. Sadly, this gap has given rise to an alarming increase in pirated products. It’s clear that a robust system is needed to guarantee the distribution of authentic merchandise, ensuring fans like me can enjoy and support the content we love.

Mizuho Securities, a division of Mizuho Keiretsu and one of our investors, intends to invest in anime through a film fund. They plan to raise $15 million for this purpose by the end of the year. Creators can apply for funding by presenting their project ideas. Additionally, Mizuho has further initiatives in store for the anime industry.

As someone who has been an avid fan of anime for decades, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the latest news coming out of the industry. It seems that our beloved conglomerate is joining forces with Questry and Royalty Bank to invest a significant amount of money in anime production. With up to $5 million on the table at a time, this infusion of cash is sure to make waves in the industry.

An institutional funding model was previously common in the anime industry, but it has been replaced by the production committee method. This change allows production costs to be shared among multiple companies, reducing the risk of financial loss for any one firm if a project fails. However, this system also means that profits are distributed proportionally, which can result in lower wages for some workers, such as animators.

Two newly established media companies have recently entered the anime industry, raising the possibility that institutional financing may make a comeback. In the past few years, studios such as MAPPA have moved away from the committee production system and reaped significant rewards. This shift was facilitated by the backing of major global players like Netflix, Crunchyroll, Disney+, and others. Similarly, Hollywood is taking notice of anime’s growing appeal and influence. From live-action adaptations to strategic licensing agreements, Hollywood sees value in anime’s resurgence. Therefore, if you believe that anime has reached its pinnacle, reconsider your perspective.

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2024-07-29 17:40