Character Business

Character licensors and licensees, retailers

This report provides the latest trends, market size, and future outlook on the character business market. It encompasses descriptions of market participants, such as IP holders, licensors, agents, licensees, and retailers, character content, including movies, films, TV anime, and games, and product development featuring characters, including toys, toys sold through vending machines, stationery, and confectionery. The report also covers the use of characters for synergy in theme parks, hotels, and regional revitalization efforts.

The size of the character business market reached 2.8767 trillion yen in FY2025, marking a 3.2% growth from the previous fiscal year. This growth was partly driven by the increased exposure of certain characters in their anniversary yea

I    Status and Future Perspectives of Licensed Character Business

1. Character Business Market Size
2. Trends in Licensed Character Businesses
   1) Character Business Overview
   2) Trends Among IP Holders, Licensors, and Agents
   3) Trends Among Licensees
   4) Retailer Trends
3. Character Trends
   1) Character Types
   2) Popular Character Tendencies
   3) Character Adaptations across Manga, Anime, Plays, Commercials, and Other Media
4. Character Business Outlook

II. Use of Characters in Media

1. Books and Magazines (e.g., comic books, manga magazines, light novels, and children's books)
2. Movies/Films
3. TV Programs
4. Games
5. Pachinko and Pachislot
6. Music
7. Plays and Musicals

III. Trends of Characters in Product Development

1. Toys and Character Toys
2. Toys Sold via Vending Machines
3. Stationery
4. Confectionery
5. Food and Beverages
6. Apparel
7. Accessories
8. Toiletries
9. Homeware
10. Other Items

IV. Use of Characters for Synergy

1. Theme Park, Amusement Park
2. Hotel
3. Food Services (Restaurants/Diners)
4. Amusement Arcade
5. Karaoke Box
6. Mass Transit/Transportation Hubs
7. Regional Revitalization, City Marketing

V. Trends by Company

1. IP Holders, Licensors, and Agents
   1) Company Outline
   2) IP Business
   3) Future Outlook

• KING RECORD CO., LTD
• CREATIVE YOKO CO., LTD
• San-X Co., Ltd
• TSUBURAYA FIELDS HOLDINGS INC.
• TOEI ANIMATION CO., LTD.
• IP4 Inc.
• StylingLife Holdings Inc. BCL COMPANY

2. Licensees and Retailers
   1) Company Outline
   2) Character-Related Businesses
   3) Future Outlook

• A3 Co., Ltd.
• KOTOBUKIYA CO., LTD.
• NISHIKAWA Co.,Ltd．