K-Content Report

Interview with Kim Yoo, License Manager at Bandai Namco Korea

Japan’s character industry has developed into a self contained ecosystem where the purchasing power of

the otaku consumer base converges with a highly sophisticated licensing framework.

IP contracting, content review, localization, and merchandising are tightly interlinked, enabling character IPs

to establish stable and repeatable revenue structures. On this foundation, platforms and distributors expand

fan participation and long term engagement. In cross platform collaborations involving Japan, China, and Korea,

differences in review standards, cultural codes, and distribution policies emerge as critical variables,

while the degree of control exercised by IP holders becomes a defining factor in content operations.

Otaku audiences respond most strongly to works with distinctive character identities, sustained narrative continuity,

and strong links to merchandise consumption patterns that carry important strategic mplications for the

expansion of Korean IPs into the Japanese market. The deeper structure of Japan’s character industry has

evolved through the close interweaving of otaku culture and licensing driven business models. Kim Yoo,

who has overseen the contracting, distribution, content review, and merchandising of Japanese animation

IPs at Bandai Namco Korea, has observed these operational dynamics at close range.

Through multi party collaborations involving Japanese IP holders, Chinese OTT platforms, and Korean services,

he has gained first hand insight into the core mechanisms that translate otaku consumption into purchasing behavior,

sustained fandom, and monetization.

This interview reframes the Japanese character market not simply as a content sector, but as a fandom

based value chain, offering a practical examination of where competitive advantage may lie as K-content

expands its global character business. 

※ For further details, please refer to the attached PDF file.

※ The content of this post is provided solely for the purpose of enhancing public understanding of

     overseas information related to the content industry. It does not represent the official position of

     the Korea Creative Content Agency and carries no legal effect.