【Japan Anime News】「SHIBUYA TSUTAYA and BS Nippon to Launch New Apparel Brand」「Nitroplus 's global strategy」「J-POP Meets Manga in "MUSIC COMIC LABELZ"」

Here is the recent news regarding to Anime ,Manga and game.

SHIBUYA TSUTAYA and BS Nippon to Launch New Apparel Brand "TEIKAIZOUDO"

Apparel is the next blue ocean that anime industry would cultivate.
SHIBUYA TSUTAYA IP SHOTEN and BS Nippon Corporation have officially announced their collaboration to establish a new apparel brand named "TEIKAIZOUDO - JAPANESE DOT TO WORLD -". This innovative brand aims to recontextualize popular Japanese intellectual properties (IPs) such as manga, anime, and games through the universally beloved art form of pixelation.The brand will make its official debut in Japan in August 2025, with sales commencing at SHIBUYA TSUTAYA IP SHOTEN in Tokyo.

Following the launch with "NARUTO," "TEIKAIZOUDO" plans to continuously feature a diverse range of Japanese IPs, delivering  brand's unique appeal to enthusiasts of Japanese pop culture both domestically and internationally.

Behind the story of  the acquisition of ADK Group by Korean Gaming Giant KRAFTON

The Japanese advertising and media industry has been rocked by the recent acquisition of major advertising agency ADK Group (formerly Asatsu DK) by South Korean company KRAFTON Inc., known for operating the popular game PUBG. Atushi Matsumoto, journalist, analyzed the story.

ADK has historically held a strong presence in the television anime business, having been involved in iconic series such as "Doraemon" and "Crayon Shin-chan," and even owning Eiken, the studio behind "Sazae-san."The article highlights the historical role of advertising agencies in facilitating the funding and production of anime.

However ,the power has fade away as  industrial structure changed. ADK Group need to find its strategy.

Manga Scholars Criticize Amazon over book ban of BL Manga History

The Japan Society for Manga Studies has issued a strong rebuke against Amazon.co.jp, expressing "deep concern and apprehension" over book ban of  the history of Boys' Love (BL) manga. The book, titled "The History of BL Manga Expression: From Shonen-ai to the Boys' Love Genre," is a research publication by Mari Nishihara, an associate professor at Atomi Gakuen Women's University.

Released by Seikyusha on February 28, the paper version of the book has reportedly been unavailable on Amazon.co.jp since March 18, with the Kindle edition vanishing from the platform since March 14.

The book in question presents a quantitative analysis of 2,873 commercially published BL manga works spanning from 1970 to 2000. It delves into the genre's characteristics and evolution over three decades, examining elements such as story, characters, couples, and sexual scenes, and connecting these to societal norms that may oppress women.

Sanrio VS Bandai Namco HD What are their IP business strategies?

Manda Taisaku, the president of komici, analyzed the contrasting yet equally successful intellectual property (IP) business strategies of two Japanese entertainment powerhouses: Sanrio and Bandai Namco Holdings. The comparison sheds light on their distinct philosophies, portfolio management, and monetization approaches, offering valuable insights into the dynamic world of IP commercialization.

While their methods differ significantly – Sanrio fostering long-term relationships through emotional connection and Bandai Namco optimizing direct value from established assets – both companies demonstrate the importance of a consistent core philosophy and adaptability to market changes in the competitive IP landscape.

Nitroplus President reveals  "Touken Ranbu's" Global Appeal and IP Philosophy

The popular Japanese IP "Touken Ranbu" continues to captivate audiences both domestically and internationally.Nitroplus President Kosaka, the creative force behind the franchise, shared insights into the company's unique IP philosophy.

Kosaka revealed that Nitroplus prioritized creating genuinely "interesting" content for the domestic market, believing that a strong local reception would naturally pave the way for international success.

A key element in "Touken Ranbu's" enduring popularity is the concept of "each  Honmaru", which encourages players to imagine and interpret the characters and their relationships, fostering a deep sense of personal connection and creative engagement.

J-POP Meets Manga in "MUSIC COMIC LABELZ"

A groundbreaking new entertainment venture, "MUSIC COMIC LABELZ," has officially launched, aiming to fuse the vibrant worlds of J-POP music and manga. This innovative label will transform popular songs into original comic series, with the first wave of releases featuring hit tracks from the renowned group SUPER EIGHT.The project kicks off with five of SUPER EIGHT's songs being adapted into manga.

This project is similar to Webtoon ×BTS and Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle.