LOCUS

Name

LOCUS

Legal name

Locus Corporation

Website

https://locus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animation and Visual Effects Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Character & Creature Animation (MPADACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG), VFX Review, QC & Delivery (Client Review, Conform, Final Outputs) (MPAHABAL)

Keywords

• Animation production services
• Visual effects services
• Virtual influencer management
• 3D CGI animation
• XR training systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Suncheon

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Animation Production: Production of theatrical animated feature films and TV series for studios, streaming platforms, and IP holders. Revenue from production fees and licensing.
2. VFX Services: Visual effects production for advertisements, game cinematics, films and television, and multimedia shows.
3. Virtual Human Production & Management: Production and management of virtual influencers including ROZY, HOGONHEIL, and RYU-ID. Revenue from advertising contracts and brand partnerships.
4. Game Cinematics: Production of cinematic videos for game companies including Mabinogi Mobile (Nexon) and Cookie Run: Kingdom (Devsisters).
5. XR Training Systems: Development and supply of XR-based training systems for government/public sector clients including police training and counter-terrorism education.
6. IP Merchandise & Licensing: Official goods funding and sales through Tumblbug crowdfunding platform for animation IPs. Character merchandise and goods licensing.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

LOCUS is a South Korean comprehensive cultural content producer that develops and produces theatrical animated feature films, TV series animation, and visual effects for advertisements, game cinematics, films, and television. The company also operates a virtual influencer management business producing digital humans such as ROZY, and develops XR-based training systems for government clients. Its operations span Sidus Animation Studios, Locus VFX, and Sidus Studio X (LocusX), supported by a proprietary real-time animation platform called LORA built on Unreal Engine.

Product overview

LOCUS Corporation is a comprehensive cultural content production company operating multiple business areas through its studio groups. The company operates three core divisions: Locus Animation Studios (theatrical and TV series animation production), Locus VFX (visual effects for advertising, game cinematics, films and television), and Virtual Influencer Management (digital human/avatar services including Korea's first virtual influencer ROZY). The company leverages proprietary technology including its real-time animation platform LORA built on Unreal Engine. Notable productions include 'Red Shoes' (2019), 'Yumi's Cells The Movie', and 'Toemarok' (2025), with upcoming projects such as 'Electronic Guardian Corps' (2026).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Locus Animation Studios: Animation production division producing theatrical feature films and TV series such as 'Red Shoes', 'Yumi's Cells', and 'Exit Chronicles'
• Locus VFX / LocusVFX
• LocusX (Sidus Studio X)
• Locus
• LORA

Products and services

• Locus Animation Studios Animation studio specializing in theatrical feature films and TV series production, known for 3D CGI animation with high-quality visuals. Produces original IP-based and adapted animated content for studios, streaming platforms, and IP holders.
• Locus VFX Visual effects studio providing services for advertisements, game cinematics, films, television, and multimedia shows. Offers CGI/VFX technology and creative solutions to enterprise clients across industries.
• Virtual Influencer Management (LocusX / Sidus Studio X) Virtual human/digital influencer management service producing and managing virtual ambassadors such as ROZY, HOGONHEIL, and RYU-ID for brand advertising campaigns and digital marketing.
• XR-Based Training Systems XR-based composite terrorism response education and training system development for government/public sector clients including the Korean National Police Agency and related agencies.
• LORA (Real-time Animation Technology Platform) Proprietary real-time animation technology platform developed by LOCUS, enabling faster animation production through Unreal Engine-based workflows and automated production pipeline management.
• Exit Chronicles (퇴마록) Theatrical animated feature film produced by LOCUS, an occult blockbuster based on Lee Woo-hyuk's novel. Achieved 500,000 theater admissions and won the Minister of Culture Award.
• Yumi's Cells (유미의 세포들) TVING original animation/live-action hybrid drama series produced by LOCUS. The Movie version was released in 2024 and won the Special Jury Award at the Daejeon Special Film Festival.
• Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs (레드슈즈) Theatrical animated feature film produced by Sidus Animation Studios under LOCUS. Exported to 179 countries globally and won the Presidential Award at the 2019 Korea Content Awards.
• Electronic Guardian Corps (전자오락수호대) Upcoming theatrical animated feature film based on Naver Webtoon's mega-hit IP, scheduled for theatrical release in fall 2026.
• Game Cinematic Production Services Cinematic video production for game companies including Mabinogi Mobile class videos for Nexon and Cookie Run: Kingdom 5th anniversary cinematic trilogy for Devsisters, using self-developed animation production platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 전 세계 179개국 수출 달성 (레드슈즈)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• CJ ENM AI 콘텐츠 얼라이언스coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Locus joined CJ ENM's AI Content Alliance as a core partner to lead AI creative innovation. Collaboration to integrate cutting-edge AI technology with Locus's creative capabilities.
• Showbox (쇼박스)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2025Distribution partner for Toemarok animation film released February 21, 2025. Showbox handles theatrical distribution in Korea.
• TVING (티빙)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2021TVING original content partnership for Yumi's Cells animated/live-action hybrid drama series. Locus produced animation for TVING original productions.
• Lee Woo-hyuk (이우혁)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal author of Toemarok as creator/consultant for animation adaptation. Participated in scenario writing and advisory role to faithfully implement the original's world and story.
• Finecut (화인컷)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales agent for Locus animation content including Red Shoes. Handled global distribution to 123+ countries.
• Nexon (넥슨)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduced cinematic videos for Mabinogi Mobile game including Dark Sorcerer and Knight class videos using hybrid visual approach.
• Devsisters (데브시스터즈)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduced Cookie Run: Kingdom cinematic trilogy for 5th anniversary update using self-developed animation production platform.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Production I.G: Japanese animation studio producing theatrical films and TV series including Ghost in the Shell and Psycho-Pass. Closely comparable scale and hybrid theatrical/streaming production model to Locus Animation Studios.
• DNEG: UK-based VFX and animation services company operating across feature films, television and immersive content (including the DNEG Animation division). Most direct global peer to Locus's VFX + animation dual-engine service offering.
• Soul Machines: New Zealand-based AI digital human technology company creating virtual brand ambassadors and avatar experiences. Directly comparable to Locus's ROZY virtual influencer business at the intersection of animation, AI and brand marketing.
• Framestore: UK/global creative and VFX studio with film VFX, animation and immersive content capabilities. Closely comparable to Locus's Locus VFX division and growing XR/immersive content work for both entertainment and government clients.
• Madhouse: Japanese animation studio producing theatrical feature films (e.g., Perfect Blue, Paprika) and TV series. Comparable to Locus as a mid-sized animation studio balancing prestige feature work with series production.
• TMS Entertainment: Japanese animation production company behind Detective Conan/Case Closed and Lupin III. Compares to Locus as an established animation house with international distribution capability and a balanced theatrical/series slate.
• AKOM Production: South Korean animation studio founded in 1985 producing TV series and feature animation including international co-productions. Directly comparable to Locus Animation Studios for its theatrical + TV animation production model and Korean studio base.

Broad incumbents

• Toei Animation: One of the largest Japanese animation studios producing globally distributed franchises including Dragon Ball and One Piece. Overlaps with Locus's animation production business but at vastly larger incumbency and franchise scale.
• Studio Ghibli: Iconic Japanese animation studio producing theatrical feature films including Spirited Away. Comparable to Locus on theatrical animation ambition and cinematic visual identity, but a singular feature-focused incumbent at much larger scale.
• Industrial Light & Magic: Disney-owned premium VFX studio serving Hollywood feature films. Overlaps with Locus's VFX services business in feature-film visual effects but at vastly larger incumbency and global Hollywood scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@LocusAnimationStudios
• Facebookfacebook.com/locus.kor
• Instagraminstagram.com/locus.animation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors11 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LOCUS