Echoes Japan
Echoes Japan is a Tokyo-based digital IP production company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Filmworks that produces WEBTOON content, IP marketing, and creator platform services for Japanese entertainment companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Echoes Japan does
Echoes Japan (エコーズ株式会社) is a Tokyo-headquartered digital IP production company founded in April 2012 that produces vertical scroll manga (WEBTOON), IP marketing services, and creator platform infrastructure for Japanese entertainment companies. Since August 31, 2023, the company has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Filmworks and operates within the Bandai Namco Group, giving it embedded access to high-profile IP such as Gundam, Code Geass, and Sunrise animation properties. The company divides its activity into two segments: IP Creation, run through its in-house echoes studio and the Bandana Comic vertical scroll manga label established jointly with Bandai and Bandai Namco Filmworks; and IP Solution, comprising IP Agent (strategic proposals for IP holders), IP Marketing, and UX/site production for entertainment clients.
The company's product surface centers on WEBTOON production and distribution. Titles produced under Bandana Comic — including Code Geass Lost Stories, BLOOD HAND, and Ashita, Drive Iko!! — are distributed across LINE Manga, Piccoma, Jump TOON (Shueisha), and other Japanese ebook stores. Echoes also operates, or co-operates, the Yomikikase Canvas picture book platform with Bandai; the Sunrise World to Biz B2B IP-licensing service; and, until August 2025, the MangaHack and MangaHack Perry creator services, which were consolidated into BookLive's Xfolio platform and Crossfolio Publishing. Original and adapted IP flows into the Bandai Namco Group's distribution channels, with manga adaptations of Sunrise titles designed to feed broader media-mix strategies spanning anime, figures, and global licensing.
Echoes generates revenue primarily through B2B professional services fees for IP creation, IP marketing, and site development under multi-year contracts with entertainment enterprises, supplemented by marketplace commissions on creator platforms and licensing/royalty income from published content. The company is registered with ¥90 million in capital and operates with a 1-10 employee headcount in the Ogikubo area of Suginami Ward, Tokyo. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales (Bandai Namco Group and external entertainment clients), community-led creator engagement through contests and editor scout programs, and distribution partnerships with major Japanese manga storefronts.
Echoes Japan firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Echoes Japan
- Legal name
- エコーズ株式会社
- Website
- https://echoes.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Echoes Japan is a Tokyo-based digital IP production company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Filmworks that produces WEBTOON content, IP marketing, and creator platform services for Japanese entertainment companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Echoes Japan industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Content Production Services
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Manga Publishing (Japanese & Global) (MPAJAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital Comics, Manga & Serialized Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAJ), Comics, Graphic Novels & Manga Print-on-Demand (MPAJANAD)
Keywords
Where Echoes Japan is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Echoes Japan business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- IP Creation Services: Manga and WEBTOON content production including planning, editing, and production through echoes studio. Revenue generated through project-based production fees from entertainment companies.
- IP Solution Services: Marketing solutions, IP agent services, and site development for entertainment IP holders. Provides problem-solving proposals and promotional services for anime, manga, and game companies.
- Creator Platform Services: Operation of manga posting platform MangaHack and integration with Xfolio platform, providing creator matching and publishing services.
- Publishing and Licensing: Electronic and print publishing through various labels including Bandana Comic (vertical scroll manga label), with licensing to domestic and international distribution channels.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B Professional Services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Echoes Japan product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Echoes Japan is a digital IP production company within the Bandai Namco Group that operates two interconnected business lines: IP Creation (manga and WEBTOON production through echoes studio, vertical scroll manga labels such as Bandana Comic, and creator self-publishing platforms) and IP Solution (IP Agent strategy services, IP Marketing planning, and site/UX design and development). It produces original vertical scroll color manga, adapts existing entertainment IP (e.g., Code Geass, Gundam) for digital formats, and provides end-to-end IP commercialization support for anime studios, manga publishers, and entertainment companies.
Product overview
Echoes Japan is a digital IP production company within the Bandai Namco Group, operating two interconnected business segments: IP Creation and IP Solution. In IP Creation, the company runs echoes studio as its core manga/WEBTOON production unit, produces titles under the Bandana Comic vertical scroll manga label, and operates the MangaHack and MangaHack Perry platforms (now integrated into Xfolio) for creator self-publishing and distribution. IP Solution encompasses IP Agent (strategy proposals), IP Marketing (promotional planning), and site planning/development services. Key product portfolio includes original vertical scroll manga titles produced with Bandai Namco Filmworks (e.g., 'Ashita Drive Iko!!', 'Code Geass Lost Stories', 'BLOOD HAND'), the Yomikikase Canvas picture book platform (Bandai co-operated), MangaHack Works matching service, and Sunrise World to Biz licensing support. The company also produced manga content for Gundam/NTT Docomo campaigns and published print labels such as Tokuma Comics echoes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- echoes studio: Vertical scroll manga (WEBTOON) editing and production studio for manga and webtoon content creation.
- バンダナコミック (Bandana Comic)
- IPエージェント (IP Agent)
- IPマーケティング (IP Marketing)
Products and services
- echoes studio In-house manga and WEBTOON editing and production studio handling original vertical scroll color manga creation from planning through to production and media-mix promotion for entertainment companies and IP holders.
- Bandana Comic (バンダナコミック) Bandai Namco Group-official vertical scroll manga label co-established with Bandai and Bandai Namco Filmworks; Echoes operates the label and produces all content with the goal of creating IPs expandable into anime, figures, and global media mix.
- Yomikikase Canvas (よみきかせキャンバス) Picture book posting platform operated by Bandai with Echoes handling planning, marketing, site production, and operations; allows creators to post picture books for free reading and hosts periodic Ehon Application Contests.
- IP Agent Services (IPエージェント) IP problem-solving proposal service for entertainment companies, addressing both 'solving problems with IP' and 'solving IP problems' across two axes, including licensing strategy and IP commercialization.
- IP Marketing (IPマーケティング) Entertainment-focused marketing planning and proposal service for IP value enhancement, providing end-to-end support from marketing strategy to promotion execution for entertainment companies.
- Site Planning and Development UX design and site production services for entertainment companies to expand awareness of IP and content, leveraging understanding of IP appeal and creator vision.
- MangaHack Works Work matching service connecting manga and illustration creatives with companies such as anime studios and toy manufacturers, providing talent matching, portfolio-based recommendation, and creative outsourcing solutions.
- Sunrise World to Biz Business support service for Sunrise brand IPs, operating as a licensing agent and portal for corporate clients; helps businesses integrate Sunrise IP into marketing campaigns, tie-up projects, and regional collaborations, supported by Echoes' digital marketing expertise.
- BLOOD HAND ~光と闇~ Original vertical scroll manga produced by Echoes under the Bandana Comic label and serialized on LINE Manga from September 2025; a dark fantasy action story set in a desert kingdom featuring a legendary female assassin.
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Lost Stories (vertical scroll manga) Vertical scroll manga adaptation of the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Lost Stories mobile game, produced by Echoes under the Bandana Comic label and serialized on multiple e-book platforms including LINE Manga.
Quantifiable outcome
- Spanish translation of 'BIBLIOMANIA' achieved third printing, demonstrating international market traction
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Echoes Japan
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Echoes Japan technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Echoes Japan partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- BookLive (Xfolio)coreEchoes integrated MangaHack and MangaHack Perry services into BookLive's Xfolio creative platform, enabling broader creator services and manga distribution. This is a service integration partnership rather than capital relationship.
- NTT DocomominorEchoes participated in content production for Gundam series d-point club campaign with Docomo, creating customization designs for mobile d-point cards.
- BandaimajorBandai operates Yomikikase Canvas picture book posting platform; Echoes handles planning, marketing, site production and operation. Bandai provides the platform infrastructure while Echoes manages content operations.
- Bandai SpiritsmajorBandai Spirits partnered for the Soul Nations x vertical scroll manga collaboration 'Mech Plus Eye', combining Tamashii Nations figures with manga content creation.
- BandaicoreBandai partnered with Echoes and Bandai Namco Filmworks to establish the Bandana Comic vertical scroll manga label. Bandai co-organizes contests and provides IP for vertical scroll manga adaptation.
- ShogakukanmajorShogakukan co-organized the TOON GATE vertical scroll manga reality show program with Bandai and Bandai Spirits. Echoes participated as WEBTOON studio, producing works alongside contestants.
- SunrisecoreSunrise strengthened capital and business partnership with Echoes in April 2021. Echoes supports Sunrise IP through creator matching, content production support, and web promotion for Sunrise anime projects.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Echoes Japan competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NHN comico: Japanese WEBTOON platform offering serialized vertical scroll manga. Directly comparable to Echoes as both produce and distribute WEBTOON content to Japanese audiences on owned and partner digital platforms.
- WEBTOON Entertainment: Global WEBTOON platform and content production company originating from Naver. Directly comparable to Echoes as both operate WEBTOON studios and distribute serialized vertical scroll manga via digital platforms, making them the most analogous business model in the global WEBTOON space.
- BookLive: Operates the Xfolio creative platform that has integrated Echoes' MangaHack services. Directly comparable as a digital content platform serving manga creators and distributing content, now both a partner and adjacent operator in the Japanese WEBTOON space.
- Tapas Media: Global digital comics and serialized storytelling platform supporting independent creators. Comparable business model as a digital comics platform that serves as a content publisher and distribution channel for serialized visual storytelling.
- LINE Digital Frontier (LY Corporation): Operates LINE Manga, one of the largest Japanese WEBTOON distribution platforms. Directly comparable to Echoes as a WEBTOON distribution outlet in Japan and a partner channel for Echoes-produced content.
- Kakao Piccoma: Major Japanese WEBTOON distribution platform operated by Kakao. Directly comparable to Echoes as both distribute vertical scroll manga to Japanese consumers and compete for creator talent and platform visibility.
Broad incumbents
- Shogakukan: Major Japanese publisher and partner in the TOON GATE WEBTOON reality show program. Comparable in manga/IP operations and a direct collaborator on WEBTOON initiatives, but operates at much larger scale across book and magazine publishing.
- Shueisha: Major Japanese manga publisher operating the Jump TOON platform that distributes Echoes' WEBTOON content. Operates on a much broader scale across print and digital publishing, but is a key distribution and content partner directly tied to Echoes' go-to-market.
- KADOKAWA Corporation: Major Japanese publisher with expanding WEBTOON production capabilities through subsidiaries. Comparable in digital content and IP creation, but operates across a much broader portfolio including books, anime, games, and video.
Emerging players
- pixiv Inc. Japanese illustration and creator platform with WEBTOON expansion through pixiv Comic. Relevant peer in the Japanese creator platform and WEBTOON space, though smaller and more creator-driven than Echoes' studio model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Echoes Japan social profiles
Digital presenceEchoes Japan compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Echoes Japan financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Echoes Japan leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Echoes Japan funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Echoes Japan M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Echoes Japan
What does Echoes Japan do?
Echoes Japan is a digital IP production company within the Bandai Namco Group that operates two interconnected business lines: IP Creation (manga and WEBTOON production through echoes studio, vertical scroll manga labels such as Bandana Comic, and creator self-publishing platforms) and IP Solution (IP Agent strategy services, IP Marketing planning, and site/UX design and development). It produces original vertical scroll color manga, adapts existing entertainment IP (e.g., Code Geass, Gundam) for digital formats, and provides end-to-end IP commercialization support for anime studios, manga publishers, and entertainment companies.
Is Echoes Japan a public or private company?
Echoes Japan is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Echoes Japan founded?
Echoes Japan was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Echoes Japan based?
Echoes Japan is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Echoes Japan make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. IP Creation Services are the primary driver. The others are IP Solution Services, creator Platform Services and publishing and Licensing.
Who are Echoes Japan's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NHN comico, WEBTOON Entertainment, BookLive, Tapas Media, LINE Digital Frontier (LY Corporation) and Kakao Piccoma. Broad incumbents are Shogakukan, Shueisha and KADOKAWA Corporation. pixiv Inc. is listed as an emerging player.
Does Echoes Japan have an API?
No public API is recorded for Echoes Japan.
What industry is Echoes Japan in?
Echoes Japan's product category is Digital Content Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAGAA, Manga Publishing (Japanese & Global), with a secondary code of BPAMAJAJ, Digital Comics, Manga & Serialized Reading Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5162 and its SIC code is 2741.