AI-Powered Manga and Anime Studio 'MangaNow Studio' Officially Launches

IMAKAI Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo / CEO: Manuel Ohtake) announces the official launch of MangaNow Studio, an AI-powered manga and anime production studio.

Alongside this, the studio has begun production on its first original IP, 'Tokyo Layer Project (Tokyo Layer).'

MangaNow Studio operates under the concept of 'Taking manga and anime to the next stage with AI,' serving as a next-generation studio that expands creativity through AI and creates new value in storytelling.

Leveraging the production techniques and expertise developed through the AI manga platform 'MangaNow,' the studio will comprehensively handle manga, anime, and IP development through co-creation with professional manga artists, scriptwriters, directors, voice actors, and artists.

## About MangaNow

MangaNow is a Japan-born AI manga platform that uses text, video, URLs, and other materials as input, with AI supporting story composition, panel layout, and illustration.

Its key feature is enabling users without specialized drawing skills to express ideas and information in manga format. It is widely used for individual creators' works, corporate service introductions, educational content, and promotional comics.

In addition to traditional horizontal manga, it supports the Webtoon format optimized for smartphone viewing, expanding the possibilities of manga expression.

The newly launched MangaNow Studio builds upon the AI manga production technology and expertise from MangaNow, serving as a production studio that collaborates with professional creators to develop higher-quality manga, anime, and IPs.

## About MangaNow Studio

MangaNow Studio is a production studio that realizes high-quality manga and anime through co-creation between AI and professionals.

Manga and anime production involves numerous stages, including planning, original story development, character design, world-building, illustration, direction, translation/localization, and promotion.

At MangaNow Studio, AI is applied across these stages to quickly visualize ideas and greatly expand production possibilities. Furthermore, professional creators refine the creative direction, transforming outputs into compelling 'stories' that resonate emotionally with readers and viewers.

The studio's services span a wide range, including original manga production, anime production, brand storytelling, promotional comic creation, IP development and planning, and global distribution support.

It supports diverse expressions using manga and anime, from individual creators' projects to corporate PR, recruitment outreach, educational content, and product introductions.

## Key Features of MangaNow Studio

- Cutting-edge production experience through AI × Creativity

By leveraging AI, the studio can rapidly generate concept art, character concepts, world visuals, storyboards, and promotional materials.

This streamlines the creative process from initial ideation to final image sharing, providing an efficient environment to explore multiple possibilities.

- Co-creation with Professionals

To achieve depth in expression and high artistic quality that AI alone cannot reach, the studio collaborates with professional manga artists, scriptwriters, directors, voice actors, and artists.

By combining human sensibility with AI's generative power, the studio aims to achieve both speed and quality.

- Multilingual and Global Expansion Support

MangaNow Studio supports multilingual production and localization, helping deliver content to readers worldwide.

It develops IPs with the goal of expanding manga and anime beyond Japan into international markets.

- End-to-End Support from Publishing to Promotion

The studio provides comprehensive support beyond production, including publishing, promotion, social media campaigns, and brand utilization.

It helps transform ideas from companies and creators into content that reaches wider audiences.

- IP Development and Planning

Beyond single manga projects, MangaNow Studio supports full IP development, including characters, world-building, storylines, and visual tone.

It designs integrated plans targeting multiple media formats—manga, anime, games, merchandise, and social media—to create enduring, beloved franchises.

## First Original IP: 'Tokyo Layer Project (Tokyo Layer)' — 'We will rewrite the future of this city.'

'Tokyo Layer Project (Tokyo Layer)' is a cyberpunk sci-fi action series set in a near-future Tokyo.

The story unfolds in a Tokyo where a massive information system called 'Layer' overlays the real world. In this world, where cityscapes, memories, economies, and even people's lives are controlled by data, a group of young people rise up to reclaim their future.

Centered on themes of neon-lit cities, traditional Japanese motifs, digitized urban landscapes, and 'rewriting reality,' the project is being developed as a multi-platform IP with plans for manga, anime, games, and merchandise.

For this project, the studio is comprehensively designing key visuals, character designs, world bibles, and concept art. By combining AI-generated visual ideas with professional art direction, it is crafting a unique and immersive world.

Production is currently underway for both the manga and animated versions.

## Overview of 'Tokyo Layer Project (Tokyo Layer)'

- Title: Tokyo Layer Project (Tokyo Layer)
- Genre: Sci-Fi / Cyberpunk Action
- Setting: Near-future Tokyo
- Themes: Reality vs. Data, Urban Life, Youth Rebellion, Reconstructing the Future
- Scope: IP Planning, World Design, Character Design, Concept Art, Manga and Anime Production
- Production Status: In production since 2026
- Release Schedule and Platform: To be announced

## CEO Statement

'With the advancement of AI, manga and anime production is at a turning point. At MangaNow Studio, while leveraging AI, we believe that ultimately it is 'story' and 'emotion' that move people's hearts.

Our first project, 'Tokyo Layer Project,' is a story about youth rewriting the future in an AI-era Tokyo. With this as our starting point, we aim to deliver new, Japan-originated IPs to the world.'

## Future Plans

MangaNow Studio will continue advancing production on 'Tokyo Layer Project' while also developing additional original IPs using AI.

Additionally, the studio plans to offer a wide range of production services for corporations and brands, including PR and recruitment outreach, educational content, product introductions, short-form videos for social media, and global expansion support—all leveraging manga and anime.

Through co-creation between AI and professional creators, we will nurture ideas into 'stories that reach the world.'