TUBAn

What TUBAn does

TUBAn is a South Korean 3D digital animation studio founded in 2003 and headquartered in Jongno-gu, Seoul (operating under the DBA "TUBA Entertainment"). The company develops and owns a portfolio of original character intellectual property spanning slapstick comedy (Larva, Oscar's Oasis, Vicky & Johnny), preschool nursery rhymes (Larva Kids), action/robot anime for ages 4-7 (DinoCore, across four seasons and an Evolution iteration), stop-motion drama targeting adult women (Cafe Wingcle), and a 90-minute feature film (Rotary Park). Its technical capabilities include 3D CGI animation production, stop-motion animation, hologram technology integrated into live musicals, and mechanical engineering for DinoCore's dinosaur-to-robot transformable toys.

TUBAn monetizes its IP through a multi-pronged licensing and merchandise model: broadcasting rights licensed to Netflix (available in 190+ countries), Disney XD (Latin America), and Korean networks (SBS, Tooniverse, KBS Kids, Animax); exclusive territorial licensing deals (notably a 250 billion KRW exclusive China Larva contract with Shenzhen Xingde Hangzhou Fund covering merchandise and a planned theatrical film); toy and merchandise sales through national retailers (E-Mart, Homeplus, Toy Kingdom) and toy specialty chains; theme park IP licensing at Jeju Shinhwa World; character cosmetics through Hansol Lifescience; Larva-themed rooms at Lotte City Hotel; and touring hologram musicals. Customer segments span children ages 4-7, preschoolers, women ages 10-20 for Wingcle Bear, families for theme parks, and a global all-ages audience reached through language-barrier-free content.

The company operates with approximately 145 employees (per its About page "Dreamers") and pursued an IPO with NH Investment Securities targeting 2019, though listing status is not confirmed in available sources. TUBAn has won industry recognition including consecutive Korea Toy Awards for DinoCore, a 2017 Korea Content Award, Shanghai International TV Festival recognition, and International Emmy Kids Awards nominations for Larva in both 2014 and 2017.

Name

TUBAn

Legal name

(주)투바앤

Website

https://tubaani.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

TUBAn is a South Korean 3D animation studio founded in 2003 that creates and globally licenses original character IPs — notably Larva (Netflix in 190+ countries) and DinoCore — through broadcasting, transformable toys, theme parks, cosmetics, and live musicals, serving children and families worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animation Studios

NAICS

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Character & Creature Animation (MPADACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Short-Form Animation (Shorts, Web Series) (MPADACAI)

Keywords

• Animation production
• Character IP licensing
• Children's entertainment
• 3D CGI animation
• Toy manufacturing licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Mapo

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Animation Broadcasting Rights: TUBAn generates revenue by licensing their animated series to broadcasters (TV channels, streaming platforms) in domestic and international markets. Larva is broadcast in 150+ countries and on Netflix in 190+ countries.
2. Toy and Merchandise Sales: DinoCore transformable robot toys and Larva character merchandise are sold through major retailers, toy specialty stores, and online shopping malls. Toys include Tyranno Attacker (59,000 KRW), Ultra D-Buster series, and DinoCore Evolution toys.
3. Theme Park Licensing: TUBAn licenses their character IPs to theme parks, including the Shinhwa Theme Park in Jeju featuring Larva, Wingcle Bear, Rotary Park, and Oscar's Oasis themed zones.
4. Character Product Licensing: TUBAn licenses their characters to third parties for various products including cosmetics (with Hansol Lifescience), character rooms (with Lotte City Hotel), and various consumer goods.
5. Musical Productions: Hologram musical productions featuring Larva characters are performed nationwide in theaters, generating ticket revenue and merchandise sales.
6. Character Licensing - China: Exclusive Larva licensing rights in China valued at approximately 25 billion KRW through partnership with Shenzhen Xingde Hangzhou Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

TUBAn is a South Korean 3D digital animation studio that creates original animated character properties (Larva, DinoCore, Cafe Wingcle, Rotary Park, Vicky & Johnny, Oscar's Oasis) and monetizes them through IP licensing to broadcasters, toy manufacturers, theme parks, hotels, and consumer goods companies globally. The company produces animation using 3D CGI and stop-motion techniques, and also sells character merchandise and toys. Its flagship property Larva has been broadcast in 150+ countries and on Netflix in 190+ countries.

Product overview

TUBAn is a 3D digital animation studio that creates and distributes animated content globally. The company operates as a content creator and IP holder with multiple animated series (Larva, Larva Kids, DinoCore, Cafe Wingcle, Rotary Park, Vicky & Johnny, Oscar's Oasis) that span different animation styles including 3D CGI, stop-motion, and feature films. The portfolio includes slapstick comedy series targeting all ages, educational content for preschoolers, action robot series for children ages 4-7, and adult-targeted dramas. TUBAn's products are distributed internationally through platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney XD, and generate revenue through broadcast licensing, toy/merchandise sales, theme park licensing, and live entertainment productions (musicals, exhibitions).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Larva 3D CGI slapstick comedy animation featuring two larvae characters Red and Yellow in various urban settings. Distributed globally via Netflix, YouTube, and various TV channels.
• Larva Kids Nursery rhyme animation series for preschoolers featuring Larva characters in educational songs. 2-minute episodes including Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Old Macdonald had a farm, and The Alphabet Song. Available on YouTube and IPTV VOD services.
• DinoCore 3D CGI comedy-action robot animation featuring transformable Dino Cores (Tyranno, Saber, Stego) that combine into robots to defend Earth. Multiple seasons targeting children ages 4-7. Includes toy merchandise line.
• Cafe Wingcle Stop-motion animation series featuring Wingcle the bear who runs a cafe and his doll friends. 6 episodes x 2 min. Drama/Comedy targeting women ages 10-20. Character merchandise includes toys and themed products.
• Rotary Park 3D CGI feature film animation (90 min). Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Comedy genre featuring heroes who attack with music. Characters include Dr. Giselle, Michael, Drunken Bear, Yoyo Cat, Dis Duck, and Egg Man.
• Vicky & Johnny 3D CGI animation set in Spring Town featuring spring dolls at puberty. 104 episodes x 2 min. Slapstick comedy with characters including boxing-loving Johnny, Vicky, Rich, Mickey, Cory, Luka, Uba, Sugar, Poco, and Roly-poly.
• Oscar's Oasis 3D CGI slapstick comedy animation (78 episodes x 7 min). All ages. Features lizard Oscar and the troublemaking trio Harchi, Buck, and Popi in a desert survival story.
• DinoCore Toys Transformable robot toys based on DinoCore animation series. Includes Tyranno Attacker, Ultra D-Buster series, DinoCore Evolution toys. Prices range from 25,000 to 150,000 KRW.
• Larva Merchandise Character merchandise including phone cases (regular and 3D), cushions, bedding sets, aprons, water taps, school supplies, Slush drinks, masks, sunscreen, flip flops, and ClanSure products.
• Larva Hologram Musical Productions Hologram musical productions featuring Larva characters performed nationwide in theaters, combining virtual and real content with ticket revenue and merchandise sales.
• Jeju Shinhwa World Theme Park (IP Licensing) Theme park featuring TUBAn character IPs including Larva Adventure Village, Wingcle Bear cafe, Rotary Park & Larva store, and Oscar's Oasis store at Jeju Shinhwa World.

Quantifiable outcome

• DinoCore toys sold out initial stock within one month of launch in September 2016
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Walt Disney CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 November 2017TUBAn signed Larva global broadcasting rights contract with Walt Disney Company. Larva airs on Disney XD channel in all Latin American countries including Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, and Caribbean regions starting December 2017.
• NeoTrans (Shinbundang Line)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2017TUBAn partnered with NeoTrans for Larva and Wingcle Bear themed trains on Shinbundang line. Odd-numbered cars featured Larva theme zone, even-numbered cars featured Wingcle Bear theme zone.
• Hansol LifescienceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2017TUBAn signed strategic partnership with Hansol Lifescience for character cosmetics manufacturing and sales. Products featuring Larva, Wingcle Bear, and Rotary Park characters planned for June 2017 launch targeting skincare, hair/body, makeup, and special care products for women ages 10-20.
• NeoTrans (Shinbundang Line)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 April 2017TUBAn partnered with NeoTrans for DinoCore themed train on Shinbundang line connecting Gwanggyo New City to Gangnam Station. Train interior wrapped with DinoCore Season 2 characters running through September 2017.
• Lotte City HotelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 19 March 2017TUBAn partnered with Lotte City Hotel for Larva character rooms at Gimpo Airport and Mapo locations. Packages include Larva bathroom sets, character bedding, and breakfast options for family guests.
• Papaya Contents GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2017TUBAn partnered with Papaya Contents Group for Larva hologram musical production. Musical 'Oh! My Larva Season 2' toured Daegu, Daejeon, Gyeongnam, and Gyeonggi regions.
• Jeju Shinhwa WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 November 2016TUBAn partnered with Jeju Shinhwa World for theme park featuring TUBAn character IPs. Theme park includes Larva Adventure Village, Wingcle Bear cafe, Rotary Park & Larva store, Oscar's Oasis store with approximately 175,000 pyeong dedicated to TUBAn characters.
• Domino's Pizza KoreaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2016TUBAn collaborated with Domino's Pizza for DinoCore Kids Special Set promotion featuring Rex and dinosaur characters from the anime.
• Shenzhen Xingde Hangzhou Fund InvestmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2016TUBAn signed Larva China licensing exclusive usage rights contract worth approximately 250 billion KRW with Shenzhen Xingde Hangzhou Fund. Partnership includes mutual cooperation for Larva character merchandise business promotion, marketing support, and joint investment in Larva theatrical film scheduled for 2018 worldwide release.
• Las Vegas Licensing ExpominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 June 2016TUBAn participated in world's largest licensing expo (Las Vegas Licensing Expo 2016) with 129m2 booth showcasing Larva and DinoCore characters to international buyers from 90+ countries.
• International Licensing Expo (Las Vegas)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 June 2016TUBAn participated in International Licensing Expo annually since 2013 showcasing Larva and DinoCore to global buyers. Expo attended by 470+ character companies and 20,000+ buyers from 90+ countries.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WildBrain: Canadian entertainment company managing classic children's IP (Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake) with global licensing, YouTube distribution, and consumer products. Comparable as an animation IP licensor with multi-territory distribution and merchandise-driven business model.
• Cyber Group Studios: French animation studio producing children's series (Gigantosaurus, Zorro the Chronicles) with international co-productions and licensing. Comparable as an independent animation studio with global broadcast distribution and child-focused IP portfolio.
• Studio 100: European entertainment company (Maya the Bee, Heidi) operating across animation production, licensing, theme parks, and merchandise. Comparable as an integrated animation-to-merchandise-to-theme park IP business serving the children's and family audience.
• Studio Mir: Korean animation studio known for producing high-profile Western animated series (Avatar: The Legend of Korra, Voltron, DOTA: Blood Dragon). Comparable as a Korean 3D animation production house with international distribution and IP partnerships.
• Mondo TV: Italian animation production and distribution group with global children's IP (MeteoHeroes, Sylvanian Families). Comparable as an animation IP holder with multi-territory licensing, co-production partnerships, and merchandise extensions.
• Zodiak Kids: International children's entertainment division (part of Banijay) producing and distributing animated and live-action kids content globally. Comparable as a multi-IP children's content producer with international licensing and broadcasting partnerships.
• Aardman Animations: British stop-motion animation studio (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep) with global broadcast, licensing, and consumer products operations. Comparable to TUBAn's Cafe Wingcle stop-motion series and Larva in producing globally distributed character-driven animation.

Broad incumbents

• Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks): Japanese animation studio (Gundam series) with deep integration into Bandai Namco's toy and consumer products business. Comparable to TUBAn's DinoCore-toy pipeline as an animation studio with synchronized toy merchandise and global IP licensing.
• Toei Animation: Japanese animation studio behind Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Sailor Moon, with extensive global licensing, toys, and merchandising operations. Comparable as a long-established animation IP holder operating across broadcast, toys, theme parks, and licensing.
• CJ ENM / Studio Dragon: Korean entertainment conglomerate and content studio (parent of Tooniverse, which broadcasts DinoCore). Comparable as a major Korean IP holder and content distributor that competes for animation talent, broadcast slots, and licensing revenue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCph-WGR0oCbJDpaWmNHb5zg
• Facebookfacebook.com/LARVA.AND.FRIENDS
• Instagraminstagram.com/larva_tuba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 TUBAn