Nakama, Inc., led by former Crunchyroll CEO and founder Kun Gao, launches AniBiz.com, described as a dedicated B2B marketplace for the global anime industry. The platform is presented as an “industry-first” marketplace designed to connect anime IP holders with global buyers seeking licensing opportunities. According to the announcements, AniBiz.com is led by Gao, along with co-founder and CEO Brady McCollum and co-founder Sae Whan Song.
The launch materials state that major anime licensors participate, with offerings from companies including Aniplex and Toei and other top rights holders. The platform’s stated goal is to streamline anime rights and licensing transactions by giving licensor and buyer parties a centralized marketplace tailored to anime rather than using general-purpose trading or licensing channels.
Both sources characterize the initiative as a new commercial infrastructure for anime distribution licensing, emphasizing its B2B focus and its role in facilitating access for international buyers and licensors. The reports do not provide additional details on pricing, contracting terms, or how deals are operationally executed beyond the marketplace concept.
