KIRINZ Inc. Invests in and Forms Capital and Business Alliance with tribute Inc. - Towards Building a New Creator Ecosystem in the Cosplay x Live Streaming Domain -

KIRINZ Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Kota Uike, hereinafter 'KIRINZ') is pleased to announce that it has invested in and entered into a capital and business alliance agreement with tribute Inc. (Headquarters: Nagoya-shi, Aichi, Representative Director: Norimaru Oguri, hereinafter 'tribute'), which develops planning, casting, and event operation businesses originating from cosplayers.

■ Background of the Alliance: Creating 'New Era Stars' Across Online and Offline

In recent years, the live streaming market and the creator economy have been expanding rapidly. The scope of activities for individual creators has broadened beyond online distribution to diverse fields such as IP business, large-scale events, and regional collaboration.

KIRINZ has supported the monetization and career development of numerous creators, primarily through its live streamer management business, one of the largest in Japan. Meanwhile, tribute leverages the passion for 'cosplay,' Japan's proud pop culture, and possesses unique strengths in planning, casting, and event operations that serve as a bridge between companies with anime/game IPs and local governments.

By merging the strengths of both companies, we aim to build a new role model that seamlessly connects 'community building through live streaming (online)' with 'IP-linked events through cosplay (offline)', thereby maximizing creator value.

■ Main Contents of the Alliance

Through this alliance, both companies will vigorously promote the following initiatives:

1. Joint Nurturing and Management of Next-Generation Creators 
   Combining KIRINZ's live streaming know-how with tribute's cosplay and expressive capabilities, we will nurture next-generation creators with multifaceted communication power.

2. Development of IP-Linked Content Utilizing Live Streaming
   We will jointly develop official programs utilizing anime/game IPs and fan-participation online events, offering new fan experiences.

3. Integration of Real Events and Live Commerce
   We will jointly deploy live streaming booths at large-scale cosplay events and implement live commerce initiatives by creators.

4. Expansion of Solutions for Companies and Local Governments
   We will provide one-stop marketing support, from casting cosplayers to promotion via live streaming.

■ Comments from Representatives of Both Companies

Kota Uike, Representative Director, KIRINZ Inc.

"By combining tribute's planning capabilities in the cosplay domain with our strength in community building through live streaming, we are confident in providing creators with platforms to thrive more broadly and deeply. Together, we will build a new economic sphere supporting Japanese pop culture."

Norimaru Oguri, Representative Director, tribute Inc.
"We are delighted to partner with KIRINZ, a leader in the live streaming industry. Through this alliance, we aim to expand the possibilities for cosplayers as creators beyond mere hobbies, and to produce numerous 'next-generation role models' who can shine both online and offline."

■ Future Development

Through this alliance, we will establish an environment where cosplayers can actively engage across streaming, events, and IP business. KIRINZ will continue to promote business expansion in the creator economy domain, working towards building a sustainable creator support infrastructure.

■ Company Profile

KIRINZ Inc.