Tohan Partners with Educational Institutions to Support Creator Development

Tohan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President & Representative Director: Hiroaki Kawakami) is undertaking efforts to support the development of manga artists and creators as part of its entertainment content business. On June 1, 2026, the company conducted a lecture at Yokohama Design College (Ishikawa Gakuen, located in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture) to convey the appeal of the publishing industry and content business to its students. On Monday, June 1, Tohan employees visited Yokohama Design College and gave a lecture titled 'Tohan's Content Business: Turning Your Passion into a Career' to 75 students studying manga, illustration, and design. The lecture used the 'Freedia' business as an example to explain the process of planning, producing, and distributing digital comics. It also introduced the work of employees serving as designers for bookstore fair promotional materials. The participating students listened attentively and actively asked questions during the Q&A session. Through its work on the 'Freedia' digital comics business and entertainment content ventures like pop-up shops, Tohan recognized the importance of supporting the development of young manga artists and creators who will shoulder the future of the publishing and content industries. During its information gathering, Tohan learned that Yokohama Design College is actively engaged in 'industry-academia-government collaboration projects' linking local governments, companies, and students. After discussions with the school, it was decided to collaborate on supporting the development of students at the college who aspire to become manga artists or creators. Yokohama Design College was founded as a dressmaking school in Nishi-ku, Yokohama in 1948, adopted its current name in 2001, and currently has approximately 450 students enrolled. Its Comprehensive Design Department offers studies in three fields: Visual Design, Manga/Illustration, and Fashion. Tohan plans to continue exchanging information with Yokohama Design College and other educational institutions, and to engage in activities such as classes and job experience programs for students.