Unlocking Dormant Value: The Strategic Tokenization of Japanese Anime & Manga IP

Japan's cultural exports have long captivated global audiences, but the true economic potential of its anime and manga intellectual property (IP) has remained largely untapped—until now. In 2025, a seismic shift is underway as Web3 technologies, particularly tokenization and NFTs, are unlocking dormant value in Japan's vast IP library. This transformation is not just a trend but a calculated, multi-billion-dollar strategy to reposition Japanese entertainment as a cornerstone of the global blockchain economy.

The Dormant Asset Problem

Japan's anime and manga industry is a $24–26 billion juggernaut, yet 90–99% of its IP sits unused. These assets—ranging from obscure characters to unfinished story arcs—represent a treasure trove of untapped creativity. The challenge has always been monetization: traditional licensing models are slow, fragmented, and limited by geographic and legal barriers. Enter Web3. By tokenizing IP into NFTs and smart contracts, ownership, licensing, and revenue-sharing become programmable, transparent, and globally accessible.

Animoca Brands, in partnership with Antler's Ibex Japan, has spearheaded this movement. Their $1.2 billion Web3 entertainment fund targets underutilized IP, leveraging blockchain to create new revenue streams. The fund's focus extends beyond gaming into fintech, healthcare, and medtech, signaling a broader vision for IP as a flexible, cross-industry asset. This is not just about selling digital collectibles—it's about redefining IP as a dynamic, interoperable resource.

Market Momentum and Financial Validation

The numbers tell a compelling story. Japan's Web3 in Entertainment Media market was valued at $318 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 20.9% CAGR, reaching $2.57 billion by 2035. This growth is fueled by NFT adoption: over 60% of Japanese media companies now use blockchain to enhance trust and transparency in content distribution. Sony, Bandai Namco, and Nintendo are all experimenting with tokenized assets, with Nintendo reportedly planning to integrate NFTs into its game franchises.

Case studies like Azuki and 0N1 Force illustrate the financial potential. Azuki, a 10,000-piece NFT collection, generated $29 million in its initial mint and has since expanded into an anime anthology (Enter The Garden), blending NFTs with storytelling. 0N1 Force, acquired by crypto veterans in 2024, has a transaction volume of 54,000 ETH and plans to launch a metaverse-native IP with comic book and gaming extensions. These projects are not speculative—they're blueprints for monetizing IP through community-driven ecosystems.

Strategic Gaps and Future Opportunities

While entertainment and gaming lead the charge, Web3 adoption in non-entertainment sectors like healthcare and real estate remains nascent. For example, NOT A HOTEL's NFT-based real estate model and Klima DAO Japan's carbon credit tokenization hint at broader applications. However, regulatory clarity and infrastructure development are needed to scale these use cases. Investors should watch for partnerships between Web3 firms and traditional industries, as these will drive the next wave of growth.

The Anime Chain Initiative further underscores this potential. By using blockchain to verify AI-generated content, the project addresses copyright concerns while enabling creators to monetize AI tools. This could resolve labor shortages in the anime industry and create a sustainable, global content ecosystem.

Investment Thesis: Why This Matters

For investors, the tokenization of Japanese IP offers three key advantages:
1. Scalability: Blockchain eliminates geographic and legal barriers, enabling global fanbases to engage with IP.
2. Liquidity: Tokenized assets can be traded 24/7, creating secondary markets that traditional IP lacks.
3. Innovation: Smart contracts automate licensing and royalties, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

The risks? Regulatory shifts and market volatility. However, Japan's proactive stance—reclassifying crypto assets and legalizing DAOs—suggests a supportive environment. The recent 40% surge in NFT market cap (reaching $9.3 billion in August 2024) also validates investor appetite.

Conclusion: A New Era for Cultural Capital

The tokenization of Japanese anime and manga IP is more than a technological upgrade—it's a cultural renaissance. By transforming dormant assets into programmable, global commodities, Japan is positioning itself as a leader in the Web3 entertainment economy. For investors, this is a rare opportunity to capitalize on a market poised for exponential growth. The question isn't whether this will succeed—it's how quickly you can position yourself to benefit.

Final Note: As with any high-growth sector, due diligence is critical. Focus on projects with strong partnerships (e.g., Animoca Brands, Sony), clear use cases, and regulatory alignment. The future of entertainment is decentralized—and Japan's IP is leading the charge.