Expanding global commerce and talent hubs across Taiwan, Korea, and the U.S., delivering one-stop overseas execution for Japanese IPs.
Fukuoka, Japan – Capsule Japan Inc. (“CAPSULE”; CEO: Shusei Hanibuchi), a cross-border commerce and marketing company supporting Japanese Anime and VTuber IPs, today announced the closing of its Series B round led by DBJ Capital, bringing its total funding to over JPY 1 billion.
The Series B financing was completed through a combination of third-party allotment and bank funding. DBJ Capital Co., Ltd. (DBJ Group) led the round, joined by existing investors FFG Venture Business Partners and GxPartners LLP, as well as new investors Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd., YMFG Capital Co., Ltd., Armabianca Inc., and Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank Co., Ltd.
■ Market Background: Global streaming platforms such as Netflix and YouTube have significantly expanded the international reach of Japanese anime, accelerating the growth of overseas fanbases. However, many Japanese content holders lack the localized execution capabilities needed to capture this demand in foreign markets fully. This challenge was also highlighted in the “Entertainment and Creative Industry Strategy” announced by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in June 2025, which emphasizes strengthening support for local deployment toward a target of JPY 20 trillion in overseas content sales.
■ CAPSULE's Strength: Local Execution Capability with a Global Team of 100+ Members With dual headquarters in Fukuoka and Taipei, CAPSULE delivers end-to-end overseas deployment for Japanese Anime, VTuber, and Game IPs, including collaboration cafés, pop-up events, merchandising, and local marketing across Taiwan, South Korea, and the United States.
- Foreign-national employee ratio: 90%+
- Overseas sales ratio: 90%+
- One-stop model: IP planning → local creative → event execution → sales → fandom development
Backed by a globally diverse team with deep cultural understanding, CAPSULE enables Japanese content owners to execute effectively in overseas markets.
■ Use of Funds: Strengthening Overseas Commerce Capabilities The Series B funding will be allocated to:
- Global Recruitment: Hiring specialized talent to support business expansion in Taiwan, South Korea, and he United States.
- Global supply-chain development: Establishing manufacturing, logistics, and sales systems for overseas markets.
- Financial reinforcement: Using the new equity as a credit foundation to secure additional debt financing aligned with commerce cash cycles, accelerating growth.
■ Comments
Shusei Hanibuchi, CEO, Capsule Japan Inc. This Series B funding allows us to accelerate our mission to strengthen downstream execution in the global content value chain. Overseas demand for Japanese content, especially anime, has never been higher, yet local deployment remains a significant hurdle for many rights holders. With a globally diverse team and an end-to-end overseas deployment model, CAPSULE is committed to building the operational foundation that enables Japanese content companies to succeed abroad. We will continue investing in talent and overseas commerce to make global expansion more accessible for our partners▶ Read more about CEO Hanibuchi's thoughts on this funding (Link to note)
Takahiro Ishii, Senior Investment Manager, DBJ Capital Co., Ltd. (Lead Investor)In overseas expansion, it is not enough for content to simply be known. It must be delivered in a way that creates real value for fans. CAPSULE has built strong on-the-ground execution capabilities and a deep understanding of local fandoms, enabling Japanese content rights holders to reach international audiences more effectively. We are proud to support CAPSULE in the next stage of its global growth.
■ CAPSULE's Business Overview
Overseas Commerce Business
(Image: 'Kaiju No. 8' Pop-up Store held in Hongdae, Seoul, Korea in Oct 2025 / Planned by ANIQUE, Operated by CAPSULE)
- Operating community-based real-world events such as collaboration cafes and pop-up stores.
- Planning, producing, and selling limited-edition goods for fans worldwide.
- Operating “OU-EN CAFE,” the company-owned IP collaboration cafés in Taipei and Seoul.
Key Case Studies:
- "Kaiju No. 8" Pop-up (Joint planning with ANIQUE) (Korea)
- NIJISANJI EN "Luxiem" × OU-EN CAFE (Taiwan)
- BLUE LOCK × OU-EN CAFE (Taiwan)
- "Detective Conan" Real Escape Game (Taiwan)
- hololive production x Collab Drink Project (US West Coast)
- Pekora Usada × Nin Jiom Herbal Candy (Simultaneous holding in Japan & Taiwan)
- "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End" Run Event (Taiwan)
What is "OU-EN CAFE / OU-EN EVENT"? A series of experiential events operated by CAPSULE that brings Japanese Anime and VTuber IPs to overseas fans through collaboration cafés and pop-up stores. These spaces provide local fans with opportunities to gather, interact, and celebrate their favorite content together.
Overseas Marketing Business
- Managing over 45 overseas influencer partners, with a core presence in Taiwan
- Executing localized promotional campaigns through networks in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, and Thailand, both online and offline
Key Case Studies:
- SEGA "Sonic Superstars" × Taiwan Market Promotion
- Ten-ei Village × Inbound PR by Japanese-Taiwanese Half YouTuber
- Promotion of Ibaraki Prefecture's charm by Korean Influencers
- Pizza Hut Taiwan, Influencer Halloween Campaign
- Operation of Sugi Pharmacy's Traditional Chinese Official Instagram
- Promotion with "Mihara JAPAN," the most famous Japanese YouTuber in Taiwan
■ Future Business Outlook CAPSULE aims to build a comprehensive platform that enables Japanese Anime and VTuber IP owners to expand overseas more efficiently. Leveraging this funding, the company will further integrate its commerce, events, and marketing capabilities to strengthen its overseas deployment infrastructure. By reinforcing its global operating base, CAPSULE will continue to deliver Japanese content directly to international fans and drive new value creation in global markets.
■ For Anime and VTuber IP Owners Considering Overseas Expansion CAPSULE supports overseas expansion across Taiwan, Korea, and the United States at every stage, from awareness-building and fandom development to monetization through merchandising, events, and local activation.
Specific Services Provided:
- Market assessment for overseas expansion potential (audience size, engagement, and market fit)
- Localized promotional campaigns across online and offline channels
- Fan engagement events, including meet-ups and community activations
- Limited-time collaboration cafés and pop-up stores operated by CAPSULE
For inquiries regarding overseas expansion, please contact us below.
Capsule Japan Inc. IP Overseas Expansion Contact: Mikashima / Koga Email: ml_jp@capsulecorporation.cc
■ We Are Hiring CAPSULE is hiring global talent for roles in its overseas content business. Positions are based in Fukuoka, Taipei, and Seoul. For details, please visit our recruitment page on Wantedly.
CAPSULE Recruitment Page https://www.wantedly.com/companies/Capsule/projects