Tokyo Otaku Mode Raises 1.5 Billion JPY in Series B Funding Round Led by Cool Japan Fund
TOKYO, Sept. 25, 2014 - Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc. (incorporated in Delaware, U.S. by President and CEO Tomo Kamei), the managing body of Tokyo Otaku Mode (TOM), a worldwide distributor of otaku content including anime, manga, games, music, and fashion, has completed its Series B Round of financing and secured a maximum funding of 1.5 Billion JPY over the next three years, through the third-party allocation of shares led by Cool Japan Fund Inc.
Receiving funds from Cool Japan Fund Inc. will enable TOM to accelerate the growth of its global service, focusing particularly on expanding its e-commerce enterprise, recruiting new engineering talent, improving mobile support and other services, establishing additional overseas distribution centers, and implementing strategic marketing and promotions to increase customer acquisition.
TOM will also collaborate with Cool Japan Fund Inc. to make it possible for a broad network of Japanese companies to advance into overseas markets. This will allow copyright holders to more smoothly handle licensing matters, leading to the vast expansion of product lines and a greatly heightened ability to produce products that meet users' needs in a timely manner.
About Cool Japan Fund Inc.:
Company Name: Cool Japan Fund Inc.
Chairman: Kazunobu Iijima
CEO: Nobuyuki Ota
Date of Establishment: November 2013
Website: http://www.cj-fund.co.jp/en/
Cool Japan Fund Inc. (Cool Japan Fund) was established in November 2013 with the goal of supporting and promoting the cultivation of overseas demand for great Japanese products and services. To commercialize the “Cool Japan” concept and increase demand overseas, Cool Japan Fund provides risk capital in a variety of fields, including Media & Content, Food & Services, and Fashion & Lifestyle.
About Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc.:
Tokyo Otaku Mode (TOM) is a worldwide distributor of Japan's unique pop culture, including
anime, manga, games, entertainment news, and artwork--collectively known as "otaku"
content. TOM, which is owned and managed by Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc., originally launched
on Facebook as a page designed to introduce Japanese otaku content to the rest of the
world (http://www.Facebook.com/tokyootakumode). TOM surpassed 10 million likes a mere
22 months after its Facebook page was established in March 2011, becoming the first
Facebook page managed by a Japanese company to clear this milestone*1. Currently, the
page has more than 16 million likes*2 and has become one of the world's largest Facebook
pages related to Japanese anime and manga.
In the fall of 2012, TOM launched its web service (http://otakumode.com), which includes a gallery of user-generated otaku creations––such as costume photographs, illustrations, figurine photos, and latte art––as well as a news page for delivering the latest otaku and pop culture news straight from Japan. In the summer of 2013, TOM launched a worldwide e-commerce site called the Tokyo Otaku Mode Premium Shop (http://otakumode.com/shop), which sells anime-related merchandise as well as original goods developed through collaborations with its Special Creators. TOM thus contributes to broadening the worldwide otaku market by providing a platform on which creators rightfully profit from their art. To date, the TOM Premium Shop has already shipped products to over 85 countries. Through its services, TOM hopes to enrich the otaku lifestyle of all Japanese pop culture fans, as well as add new value to the worldwide entertainment marketplace.
*1 According to research conducted by Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc.
*2 Data retrieved on Sept. 25, 2014.
Any company or product names referred to herein are registered trademarks of their respective organizations.
