© TVTokyo
A young French startup obtaining the operating rights to one of the most popular franchises in the world doesn't happen every day. Yet this is what Sekai, a start-up founded only two years ago, achieved.
Naruto available in other entertainment formats
« Today, There are 600 million anime fans worldwide. And it's an industry that is really controlled in Japan. The original manga is produced in Japan, the anime is produced in Japan, distributed in Japan and all derivative products are produced in Japan ,” explains Samy Therain, co-founder and CEO of Sekai, at TechCrunch.
Unlike other parts of pop culture, the world of manga and anime is rarely available in other entertainment formats. The start-up wants to change the situation, for example by offering mobile applications based on the characters and stories of Naruto.
His model has attracted many investors. The firm has already completed two financing rounds. The first amounted to 4.9 million euros, then the second reached 5.1 million euros. Very good people participated, notably Xavier Niel's Kima Ventures fund, the rapper Orelsan, and the athletes Rudy Gobert and Randal Kolo Muani. Mike Shinoda, member of the group Linkin Park, was also there.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000It was thanks to these funds that Sekai was able to travel to the Land of the Rising Sun to discuss with TV Tokyo, holder of the rights to the Naruto anime and merchandising. Fifteen long months of negotiations followed before reaching an agreement. The license covers almost all countries, except China and Japan. Digital collectible cards, events and conventions around Naruto are also in the start-up's books.
Sekai is targeting the rights to other major works from the anime
The CEO is clear, Sekai will take care to remain as faithful as possible to the universe of the original work. “ We are absolute fans. Our objective is therefore to control the way things are done and to validate them with Shueisha (Editor's note: Naruto's publishing house). We do not exclude collaborating with people who are experts in their field to do this or that thing ,” says Samy Therain.
Sekai is working on its first application, which should offer a social experience, but not on the same model as the very popular Pokémon Go. The young company is aiming for profitability within two years. Above all, it does not intend to stop with the rights to Naruto, and ambitions to obtain a new license each year. OnePiece, Bleach, Dragon Ball… There are many candidates.
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