Dentsu Strengthens Its Anime Business with the Establishment of Dentsu Anime Solutions Inc. In Japan

Dentsu Group (brand: “dentsu”; Headquarters: Dentsu Group Inc., representative: Hiroshi Igarashi, president & CEO; base: Tokyo) announced today that it will strengthen its anime business, with the establishment of Dentsu Anime Solutions Inc., a new company that will provide solutions centred on anime licensing. The new company’s main businesses will be sales of anime and licensing (copyright business) such as merchandising to broadcasters and streaming platforms both in Japan and overseas. Dentsu Anime Solutions Inc. will be established on July 3rd, 2023 as a 100% consolidated subsidiary of Dentsu Group Inc. under dentsu Japan.

In the last 10 years, along with the diversification and expansion of video streaming networks due to the spread of devices and video streaming services, anime has become an established genre in global entertainment. It is expected to grow significantly in the future as a global industry originating in Japan, including peripheral businesses such as games, merchandising, and events. In fact, the global anime market is expected to expand from USD 28.6 billion (approximately JPY 3.9 trillion) in 2022 to USD 60 billion (approximately JPY 8.3 trillion) in 2030. The average annual growth rate for the period is expected to be 9.8%.

Moreover, opportunities to provide solutions utilising anime through the anime division of Dentsu Inc.’s Content Business Design Center to clients not only in Japan, but also in international markets are increasing year by year. The division’s net revenue has nearly doubled over the last two years.

In light of this market expansion and increased demand from clients, by establishing a new company that will primarily handle the licensing of anime, we plan to recruit and train specialists and accumulate know-how, further accelerating the growth of dentsu’s anime business.

Sei Matsumoto, representative director and president, Dentsu Anime Solutions Inc. said: “Our content business is one of dentsu’s true differentiators. In particular, “anime” continues to generate enthusiasm around the world, especially among gen z audiences. It is a fast-growing opportunity for us as well, and we are pleased to announce the establishment of this new specialist company. With this launch, we will continue to enhance our expertise in various areas, such as producing new anime IP, supporting sales, and of course licence management. By leveraging the creativity and networking of dentsu, we will be able to provide the best possible solutions around anime, support the business growth of clients and partner companies both in Japan and overseas, and contribute to the development of the anime industry as a whole.”

The future roles of dentsu’s anime business organisations located in Japan are expected to be as follows:

·         Dentsu Inc. Content Business Design Center, Anime Division:

Producing anime and provision of solutions utilising anime to clients of dentsu both in Japan and overseas

·         Dentsu Anime Solutions Inc. (New company):

Sales of anime and licensing (copyright business) such as merchandising to broadcasters and streaming platforms both in Japan and overseas.