Japanese broadcasting giant TBS Holdings is setting its sights on a major transformation in the world of anime and intellectual property. On May 14, 2025, TBS Holdings officially announced its plan to launch a new company, temporarily titled “株式会社 CIP（仮）” (CIP Inc. (provisional name)), which will be dedicated to the planning and production of anime, as well as the development and exploitation of associated IP.
TBS has made a ¥30 billion investment framework specifically for this initiative. To put it in perspective, while a typical anime production budget might run several hundred million yen per title, TBS’s financial commitment here signals that they’re not just thinking about individual projects. They’re eyeing a full-blown entertainment ecosystem.
The new company, with a starting capital of ¥100 million entirely funded by TBS Holdings, is designed to operate on multiple fronts:
- Anime Production: The company will kick off with original anime projects.
- Expanding IP: It will develop the properties that emerge from its productions into broader business ventures, from domestic and international broadcasts and streaming to merchandising, events, and even game adaptations.
- Strategic Partnerships: TBS is set to work closely not only within its corporate group but also with external players. Notably, TBS is partnering with MBS (Mainichi Broadcasting System), a veteran in the anime arena credited for hits like Jujutsu Kaisen, Dandadan, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Additionally, the streaming titan U-NEXT is in the mix to help amplify distribution.
Far from being a conventional production outfit, the vision for “CIP (Kari)” extends to creating a centre of entertainment innovation within the TBS group. Leveraging the group’s established platforms, such as PLAZA for merchandise and event tie-ins (with planned activities at major venues like Akasaka Sacas and the soon-to-be-developed Akasaka Entertainment City), the company will strive to drive synergy across multiple facets of the media business.
This ambitious project reflects a broader shift among Japan’s legacy broadcasters. With TV advertising revenues on a steady decline, companies are under increasing pressure to diversify their revenue streams. In an era where a smash-hit anime can trigger explosive gains through licensing, merchandise, and international rights, TBS’s integrated approach is both a survival tactic and a growth strategy. They’re not simply aiming to produce anime; they’re determined to control every aspect of its lifecycle, from creation to commercialisation.
Source: Animation Buisiness Info
