Singapore – Kasagi Labo, a local-based anime venture studio, has recently raised US$12m in funding for its pre-series A funding round in a bid to bring authentic Japanese anime to a global audience.
The funding round was led by Burda Principal Investments alongside Sfermion, Gold House, CMT Digital, and Superscrypt.
Kasagi Labo’s multifaceted approach unites fans and creators to develop and shape global anime IPs, uniquely positioning them to change the anime landscape worldwide. Moreover, through this funding, the company aims to leverage this industry momentum, investing strategically in anime productions and partnerships and leveraging their IP value chain in licensing, distribution, and merchandising.
Kendrick Wong, founder and CEO at Kasagi Labo, said, “With a strong coalition of strategic investors, industry advisors, and an experienced management team, the company is well-positioned to spearhead innovation and set new benchmarks in the global anime landscape.”
Meanwhile, Edwin Mak, principal at Burda Principal Investments, commented, “Partnering with Kasagi Labo reflects our commitment to supporting innovative and transformative businesses. Anime is a fast-growing market globally that is ripe for change. Kendrick and his team have demonstrated an ability to execute effectively against a business model which we believe has the potential to transform the industry. We are incredibly excited to lead the company’s Pre-Series A round and support their long-term growth across Asia and beyond.”
Kasagi Labo recently debuted its own VTuber project called Project: Verses, comprising of three talents. The anime venture studio also recently teamed up with Netflix and anime studio Genco to release mobile accessories based on the Pluto anime series.
