Fanfan Comics

What Fanfan Comics does

Fanfan Comics (翻翻动漫), founded in 2009 and headquartered in Hangzhou, China, is a privately-held anime culture enterprise operating four integrated business pillars anchored on Japanese and Chinese IP. Its March Monster (三月兽) sub-brand is a leading IP derivative product retailer and first-tier Chinese agent for Bandai Namco, Sega, FuRyu, MegaHouse, BANPRESTO, and Bushiroad Creative — operating approximately 50 physical stores nationwide, March Beast CAFE themed locations, vending machines, and omnipresent e-commerce on Tmall, Taobao, JD, Douyin, and WeChat Mini Program. The March Beast Tmall flagship store generated over 50 million yuan in a single day at its 2023 Double 11 debut (the first Singles Day participation), and the company is targeting expansion to 300+ stores within three years.

As Shueisha's exclusive general agent in China (and exclusive agent for Shogakukan, Hakusensha, and Square Enix), Fanfan operates the largest and most-resourced overseas manga copyright licensing business in the country, having imported 500+ titles including One Piece and Naruto and distributed them via Tencent Comics, Bilibili Comics, and domestic publishers. The company's original manga creation division fields a roster of professional artists whose works have been adapted into animation and film (快把我哥带走, 拾又之国, 识夜描银, 隐世华族) and exported to world-class platforms including Shueisha's JUMP+, Piccoma, and comico — described as the only Chinese company mass-producing manga for international top-tier platforms.

Its monetization mixes licensing royalties (IP authorization for merchandise, animation, and publishing), direct merchandise sales (physical and online), original manga publishing, and event/pop-up services. The company serves three customer segments: Chinese anime/manga fans purchasing IP merchandise and original products, B2B wholesale customers (thousands of online and offline retailers), and original manga creators — supported by the annual New Star Cup (新星杯) competition, which has run for 18 consecutive editions (20th in 2025) with cumulative 10,000+ entries and Shueisha's special overseas support. The company reports 1–10 employees in registry data while operating at a national retail scale, with disclosed contact channels spanning general operations, wholesale, ODM, franchise, import, and Chinese-IP business functions.

Strategic distribution includes deep partnerships with Chinese gaming IP leaders miHoYo and Hypergryph for merchandise co-development, and the company organizes the IAGF (International Anime Goods Fair) exhibition. No external venture capital or private equity backing is disclosed beyond three historical rounds (2014 Sinovation Ventures, 2015 SIG China, 2016 iQiyi) totaling approximately US$14M; the business appears to have been self-funded through operations in recent years while pursuing active expansion.

Name

Fanfan Comics

Legal name

杭州翻翻文化传媒有限公司 (Hangzhou Fanfan Culture Media Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://fanfannet.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fanfan Comics (翻翻动漫) is a Hangzhou-based anime culture enterprise founded in 2009 operating four pillars: the March Monster IP merchandise retail chain (~50 stores), exclusive Chinese agency for Shueisha and other Japanese manga publishers (500+ titles), original Chinese manga creation/export, and the annual New Star Cup competition. It serves Chinese anime fans, B2B wholesale customers, and manga creators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Anime/Manga IP & Merchandise Retail

NAICS

Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912), Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423920), Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers (424920)

SIC

Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)

akta.pro primary industry

Comic Books, Graphic Novels & Manga Retail (CRALAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Manga Publishing (Japanese & Global) (MPAJAGAA), Comic Books & Graphic Novel Collectibles Retail (CRALAGAH), Collectibles, Trading Cards & Blind Box Toys Retail (CRALAFAI), Digital Comics, Manga & Serialized Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAJ)

Keywords

• Anime merchandise retail
• Manga publishing
• IP licensing
• Comic distribution
• Anime retail chain

Headquarters

HQ city

Hangzhou

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. IP Licensing and Authorization: Licensing IP rights to third parties for merchandise development, animation, film adaptation, and publishing. Core business model centered on IP authorization, R&D, production, and sales.
2. Merchandise Sales (Physical and Online): Sales of IP derivative products including figures, plush toys, apparel, and 'light peripherals' (谷子) through offline stores and e-commerce platforms. Notable 2023 Double 11 sales exceeding 50 million yuan.
3. Manga Publishing: Original Chinese manga creation and publication, both domestic and international. Overseas output to Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe and Americas through platforms like JUMP+, Piccoma, comico, and ebookRenta.
4. Event Management and Pop-up Operations: Organizing pop-up events, exhibitions, and brand collaborations for IP promotion and merchandise sales. Generates revenue through event-based merchandise sales and brand partnership fees.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fanfan Comics operates an end-to-end anime/IP business: original Chinese manga creation and publication, import agency services for Japanese manga (general agent for Shueisha in China), IP licensing for animation/film/merchandise adaptations, and retail of IP derivative merchandise through its March Monster (三月兽) sub-brand — including ~50 physical stores, themed CAFEs, vending machines, and online storefronts on Tmall, Taobao, JD, Douyin, and WeChat. It also runs the New Star Cup annual manga competition and the IAGF International Anime Goods Fair.

Product overview

Fanfan Comics (翻翻动漫) is a leading Chinese anime culture enterprise founded in 2009, operating a multi-dimensional business centered on IP. Its portfolio includes four core business pillars: (1) March Monster (三月兽), the flagship IP derivative sub-brand offering original and agent merchandise, operating nearly 50 physical stores, March Beast CAFE themed locations, and online stores on Tmall/Taobao/JD/Douyin/WeChat; (2) Original Manga Creation (漫画创作), producing and operating Chinese webcomics through teams of top artists, with works exported to global platforms including Shueisha's JUMP+; (3) Manga Import (漫画引进), as Shueisha's general agent in China, importing hundreds of manga titles from Japan; and (4) the New Star Cup (新星杯), an annual original manga competition with 18+ editions and Shueisha's special support. The company also organizes the IAGF international anime goods exhibition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 三月兽 (March Monster): 潮流衍生品品牌 (trendy derivative products brand) under Fanfan Comics, specializing in IP merchandise retail. Acts as first-tier agent for Bandai, Sega, Furyu and other international brands. Operates dozens of physical chain stores and an online mall across major Chinese e-commerce platforms. In 2023, became a top domestic IP derivative brand with nearly 50 stores nationwide and plans to expand to 300+ stores in 3 years.
• 三月兽Goods
• 三月兽CAFE
• 新星杯
• IAGF
• 三月兽周边贩售机

Products and services

• March Monster (三月兽) sub-brand Fashionable IP merchandise retail sub-brand under Fanfan Comics, offering original and licensed IP derivative products ('谷子' light goods) across physical stores, themed CAFEs, online stores, and pop-up events.
• March Beast Offline Stores (三月兽线下门店) Chain of nearly 50 physical retail stores across major Chinese cities selling authentic licensed IP merchandise and hobby products to anime/manga fans.
• March Beast Online Mall (三月兽线上商城) Cross-platform e-commerce storefronts on Tmall, Taobao, JD, Douyin, and WeChat Mini Program selling IP merchandise to Chinese consumers nationwide.
• March Beast CAFE (三月兽CAFE)

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• 集英社 (Shueisha)coreTechnology or IntegrationJapan's largest manga publisher; Fanfan is the general agent in China for Shueisha content, importing over 500 manga titles. Special overseas support for New Star Cup competition. Strategic partnership for long-term co-development.
• 万代南梦宫 (Bandai Namco)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst-tier agent for Bandai Namco products in China. Products sold through March Beast stores and e-commerce channels.
• 世嘉 (Sega)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst-tier agent for Sega products. Sega merchandise distributed through March Beast retail network.
• FuRyucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst-tier agent for FuRyu products including F:NEX brand figures. Exhibited at Wonder Festival and other events.
• 小学馆 (Shogakukan)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive agent for Shogakukan manga in China including Detective Conan and other major titles.
• 白泉社 (Hakusensha)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive agent for Hakusensha manga including March Comes in Like a Lion.
• 史克威尔艾尼克斯 (Square Enix)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive agent for Square Enix manga and达成长期影视化合作战略协议 for content adaptation.
• 讲谈社 (Kodansha)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner publisher for manga imports and the Diamond Ace (钻石王牌) pop-up event授权.
• MegaHousemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst-tier agent for MegaHouse figures. Multiple pop-up events and exclusive product releases at CICF.
• Bushiroad CreativemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive agent for BanG Dream!, Love Live!, Detective Conan and other Bushiroad IPs. Multiple pop-up events hosted.
• 万代 (Bandai)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst-tier agent for Bandai products including GASHAPON gashapon machines and TAMASHII figures.
• TAITOmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for TAITO brand figures and prizes. Exhibited at Wonder Festival and other conventions.
• BroccolimajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgent for Broccoli's Blue Lock merchandise and other anime products.
• 新创华 (Shinwa)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensing partner for Evangelion and other anime IP merchandise in China.
• 乐元素 (Happy Elements)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed for Ensemble Stars!! (偶像梦幻祭2) pop-up events and exclusive merchandise.
• 寿屋 (Kotobukiya)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Kotobukiya figures and products. Artist signing events hosted at BiliBili World.
• CRUXmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Hatsune Miku and other CRUX IP merchandise. Multiple pop-up and check-in events.
• BANPRESTOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst-tier agent for BANPRESTO prizes and figures. Multiple pop-up stores in Hangzhou and Shanghai.
• TAMASHII NATIONScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive TAMASHII NATIONS.STORE operations. Multiple pop-up stores in Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Chongqing generating significant revenue.
• 南派三叔 (Xu Lei/盗墓笔记)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Grave Robbers Chronicles (盗墓笔记) 817 Rice Festival events and limited merchandise.
• KAMIOmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for anime merchandise. Exhibited at COMICUP 30 together.
• PROOFmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Cardcaptor Sakura merchandise at CICF exhibition.
• Rowtashii NoiseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew collection toy brand under TAMASHII NATIONS featuring Adokenette and tekupiku products at CICF.
• 米哈游 (miHoYo)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal top-tier gaming company with deep collaboration in IP and merchandise development.
• 鹰角 (Hypergryph/ArkNights)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal top-tier gaming company with collaboration in IP merchandise and events.
• JUMP+ (集英社)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatform for publishing original Chinese manga internationally. Multiple Fanfan works published on JUMP+.
• PiccomacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational manga platform for Chinese manga export.
• 腾讯动漫 (Tencent Comics)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Chinese digital manga platform for distributing imported manga titles.
• 哔哩哔哩漫画 (Bilibili Comics)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Chinese digital manga platform for manga distribution and digital reading.
• 浙江人民美术出版社majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDomestic publishing partner for manga and art books.
• 中信出版社majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Chinese publishing house for manga and book licensing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• POP MART: China's leading collectible toy and blind-box retailer with a large offline store chain and IP licensing relationships. Directly comparable to March Monster as a Chinese specialty collectibles retailer leveraging international IP rights and pop-up culture to drive scale.
• Animate: Japan's largest anime merchandise specialty retail chain operating stores across Japan and Asia. Closely comparable to March Monster's offline model of selling licensed manga, figures, and anime goods, including its chain-store expansion strategy.
• TOPTOY: Chinese collectible toy retail chain under MINISO with strong mall footprint. Comparable to March Monster as a Chinese collectibles retailer scaling offline stores around trending IP and designer toys.

Broad incumbents

• Bilibili: Major Chinese video and digital comics platform with growing presence in licensed merchandise and IP retail. Comparable as both a distribution partner (Bilibili Comics) and a competitive threat in the Chinese anime/manga ecosystem.
• Tencent Comics: China's largest digital manga distribution platform and a Fanfan distribution partner. Comparable as a Chinese manga publishing/distribution incumbent with broader corporate backing and digital scale.
• Bandai Namco: Global anime IP holder and toy/merchandise manufacturer that Fanfan represents in China. Comparable as an anime merchandise and collectibles business; also a key licensor on which Fanfan's retail model depends.
• Shueisha: Japan's largest manga publisher and Fanfan's core strategic partner. Directly comparable to Fanfan's publishing business; also a critical licensor whose titles anchor Fanfan's retail assortment.
• Kodansha: Major Japanese manga publisher and Fanfan partner (Diamond Ace pop-up collaboration). Comparable as a manga publisher and licensor whose catalog Fanfan monetizes in China.

Emerging players

• Kakao Entertainment (Piccoma): Korean digital comics platform that distributes Fanfan's original Chinese manga internationally via Piccoma. Comparable as a manga platform partner and an emerging competitor in serialized digital comics distribution.
• Moeyu / Manjuu: Chinese anime collectibles and manga retail chain focusing on licensed Japanese merchandise and pop-up culture. Comparable to March Monster as a domestic specialty retailer competing in the same Chinese 'guzi' category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 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 Fanfan Comics