What PLAN A does

PLAN A Inc. (株式会社PLAN A) is a privately held video production company headquartered at 8-7 Kamiyado-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka, Japan, incorporated January 30, 2019 by Representative Director Masayuki Nagata. The company's name reflects its anchor location — 'A' stands for Atami — and a stated mission to make Atami the first choice for travel through entertainment IP. Its core service stack comprises video planning and production, drone aerial cinematography (SUSC safety-certified), 360-degree concert videography, event planning, equipment and studio rental (including the 'Snack Atami' rental studio opened February 2019), real-estate-specific video production (including 360-degree spherical photography), and a tourist kimono/yukata rental service priced at ¥4,000 for women and ¥3,500 for men.

The company's flagship product is its original tokusatsu feature-film IP, 'Onsen Shark' (温泉シャーク). Produced via crowdfunding on CAMPFIRE — ¥11.4M from 1,278 backers in 2023, then ¥30.8M from 2,879 backers in February 2025 (Japan's highest-grossing live-action film crowdfunding) — the first film premiered theatrically in Japan on June 20, 2024 (achieving mini-theater ranking #1 and a 2+ month run), received Eirin G rating (No. 124116), was released on Blu-ray/DVD on November 27, 2024, and secured a 196-theater North American theatrical release in July 2025. A sequel, Onsen Shark 2: Kyushu Showdown (温泉シャーク2 九州大決戦), is scheduled for theatrical release in September 2026.

PLAN A's business model spans six revenue streams: (1) original film production and distribution (theatrical, streaming, Blu-ray/DVD, international licensing); (2) professional video production services for corporate clients; (3) equipment and studio rental; (4) merchandise and IP licensing (BASE e-commerce storefront, Atami-Business merchandise collaborations); (5) crowdfunding-based film financing via CAMPFIRE, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo; and (6) kimono/yukata tourist rentals. Customer mix is diversified across local governments (Atami City, A-biz Challenge Support Center), broadcasters (CBC Television, TUF), tourism SMBs (Atami Took), and music/entertainment (Susumu Hirasawa music videos). The company is entirely founder-financed — no external VC, no institutional investors — and uses crowdfunding and operating cash to fund original productions. In 2026 PLAN A formally expanded its scope to specialize in 'regional and IP development' alongside core video production.

Name

PLAN A

Legal name

株式会社PLAN A

Website

https://plana.biz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

PLAN A is a Japanese video production and tokusatsu film company based in Atami, Shizuoka, founded in 2019, producing original feature films (notably the Onsen Shark franchise), drone cinematography, and event content for regional governments, broadcasters, and tourism businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (512199)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro primary industry

Distribution Strategy & Release Planning (MPADAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Full-Service Event Planning & Production (HSACAAAA)

Keywords

• Video production services
• Tokusatsu film production
• Drone aerial cinematography
• Regional revitalization consulting
• Event planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Shizuoka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Original Film Production & Distribution: Production of original feature films including tokusatsu action films. Revenue generated through theatrical distribution, streaming rights, Blu-ray/DVD sales, and international licensing. Films produced include Onsen Shark (2024) and sequels in development.
2. Video Production Services: Professional video production services including planning, shooting, editing, and post-production. Services include corporate videos, promotional content, TV programs, event documentation, and drone footage.
3. Equipment & Studio Rental: Rental of filming equipment (cameras, lighting, editing stations), event equipment (PA systems, projectors), and studio space (Snack Atami rental studio).
4. Merchandise & Licensing: Sales of Onsen Shark branded merchandise including Blu-ray/DVD, character goods, collaborative products with local businesses, and character licensing for regional revitalization projects.
5. Crowdfunding Campaigns: Crowdfunding through CAMPFIRE and international platforms (Kickstarter, Indiegogo) to fund original film productions. Has raised ¥11.4M for Onsen Shark and ¥30.8M for Onsen Shark 2, the latter becoming Japan's highest-grossing live-action film crowdfunding campaign.
6. Kimono/Yukata Rental Services: Traditional Japanese clothing rental and dressing services for tourists in Atami, including kimono, yukata, footwear, and accessories. Women: ¥4,000+, Men: ¥3,500+.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PLAN A is an integrated video production company offering end-to-end services including corporate/promotional video planning and production, drone aerial cinematography, event planning, and original feature film production. The company's flagship is the tokusatsu (special effects) film franchise "Onsen Shark" (温泉シャーク), produced through record-breaking crowdfunding and distributed theatrically and via streaming. Supporting offerings include a rental studio (Snack Atami), kimono/yukata rental for tourists, 360-degree concert videography, real estate video production, mystery game design, equipment rental, and regional IP development consulting centered on Atami.

Product overview

PLAN A is a video production company based in Atami, Shizuoka, Japan offering integrated media services. Core offerings include video production (映像企画・制作), drone aerial photography (ドローン空撮), and event planning (イベント企画). The company gained national recognition with its flagship tokusatsu film IP '温泉シャーク' (Onsen Shark) released in 2024. Supporting services include a rental studio 'スナックあた美', kimono/yukata rental for sightseeing, 360-degree concert video production, real estate video services, mystery game production, video consulting, and equipment rental. The company operates from Atami with focus on regional content creation and tourism activation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 温泉シャーク (Onsen Shark): A tokusatsu action film franchise combining shark horror with hot spring themes, PLAN A's flagship IP featuring 432 sharks in the original film.

Products and services

• Video Production Planning & Production (映像企画・制作) End-to-end corporate and promotional video production including planning, filming, direction, and editing for businesses, broadcasters, and event organizers.
• Drone Aerial Cinematography (ドローン空撮) Drone aerial photography and video services based in Atami area, registered under drone safety compliance system, covering TV programs, facility maintenance, environmental management, and promotional content.
• Event Planning (イベント企画) Event planning and coordination services including cultural events, film festivals, and local promotional activities in the Atami region.
• Onsen Shark Film (映画『温泉シャーク』) Flagship tokusatsu (special effects) action feature film combining shark horror with hot spring (onsen) themes. Released theatrically in Japan (June 2024), distributed across 196 theaters in North America (July 2025), and streamed on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Rakuten TV, U-NEXT, and 15+ other platforms.
• Snack Atami Rental Studio (レンタルスタジオ「あた美」) Rental studio space in Atami's Ginza district back alley. Retro bar-style space available for gatherings, tourism breaks, and meetings.
• Kimono / Yukata Rental Service (着物・浴衣レンタルサービス) Traditional Japanese clothing rental and dressing service for Atami sightseeing, including kimono, yukata, footwear, and accessories. Women ¥4,000+ and men ¥3,500+ per day; mobile service available within Atami city.
• 360-Degree Concert Video Production (360度コンサート映像制作) 360-degree immersive video production for concerts and live events, including direction and post-production.
• Drone Footage Library (ドローン映像素材ライブラリ) Licensed lending of pre-captured drone aerial footage of the Atami region for media, promotional, and production use.
• Real Estate Specialized Video Plan (不動産専門映像制作プラン) Specialized real estate video production including 360-degree spherical photography for rental properties, villas, and tailored marketing plans for real estate listings.
• Mystery Game Production (謎解きゲーム制作) Town walking combined with escape room game design and production, using local stores and attractions as puzzle elements for tourist experiences.
• Event & Filming Equipment Rental (イベント・撮影機材レンタル) Rental of filming, lighting, editing, and event equipment including cameras, PA systems, and projectors for short-term use.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record-breaking crowdfunding: ¥30.8M raised for Onsen Shark 2, Japan's highest-grossing live-action crowdfunding project
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CAMPFIRE (キャンプファイヤー)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerJapan's major crowdfunding platform used for both Onsen Shark (¥11.4M) and Onsen Shark 2 (¥30.8M - record-breaking). CAMPFIRE enabled direct fan engagement and community building around film production.
• U.S. Distribution PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmerican distribution partners facilitating North American theatrical release across 196 theaters in July 2025 - exceptional achievement for independent Japanese film.
• Streaming Platforms (Prime Video, Netflix Japan, etc.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMulti-platform streaming distribution including Amazon Prime Video, Video Market, FOD, Hulu, Rakuten TV, and others for Onsen Shark and related content.
• 特定非営利活動法人アニメ特撮アーカイブ機構 (ATAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization dedicated to preserving anime and tokusatsu culture. PLAN A became a supporting member (賛助会員), aligning with their special effects filmmaking focus.
• Local Atami BusinessescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with local Atami businesses for merchandise collaborations including 山田屋 (fish cake), 熱海飯店 (restaurant), 杉本鰹節商店 (dried fish shop), and others for Onsen Shark themed products.
• 熱海市 (Atami City Government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Atami city for regional revitalization through film tourism, local government support for Onsen Shark production, and city mayor meetings for cultural promotion initiatives.
• Kickstarter (International)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational crowdfunding platform used for Onsen Shark 2's global campaign to reach international audiences and supporters.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Nikkatsu Corporation: One of Japan's oldest film studios with active production and distribution. Comparable as a Japanese film production/distribution entity, though Nikkatsu's portfolio focuses more on adult/art-house cinema than regional genre IP.
• Toei Company: Major Japanese film and TV production/distribution incumbent with established tokusatsu (Kamen Rider, Super Sentai) franchises. Comparable as a broad Japanese film production/distribution incumbent operating in the same genre ecosystem, but at vastly larger scale.
• Kadokawa Corporation: Large Japanese media conglomerate with film production, publishing, and IP licensing. Comparable in the IP-monetization strategy (multi-channel, character merchandise, community building) but operates at conglomerate scale across anime, film, and publishing.
• Toho Co., Ltd. Japan's dominant film distributor and producer (Godzilla, anime). Comparable as the established Japanese theatrical distribution partner-type counterpart with North American release capability (GKIDS, etc.), but at incumbent scale.
• Bandai Namco Filmworks: Subsidiary of Bandai Namco focused on anime and IP content production. Comparable in the IP-driven, character-licensing business model and multi-channel distribution to the Onsen Shark franchise approach.

Emerging players

• Khara: Independent Japanese animation and special-effects studio (Evangelion franchise). Comparable as a founder-led Japanese special-effects IP house with international fan engagement, though PLAN A's tokusatsu focus is more practical-effects than animation.
• Robot Communications: Japanese digital advertising and video production company. Comparable as a domestic video production services firm with diversified content offerings, though PLAN A's film-IP focus is a distinguishing bet.
• Twin (Twin Planet): Tokyo-based video production and content agency with strong Japanese IP and promotional content capabilities. Comparable as a small-to-mid Japanese video production company with multi-channel content and IP monetization, though PLAN A differentiates on tokusatsu/original film IP.

Direct peers

• Tsuburaya Productions: Special-effects (tokusatsu) film and IP house behind the Ultraman franchise. Most directly comparable to PLAN A in tokusatsu production philosophy, original monster IP creation, and Asian/international distribution of genre content.

Others

• CAMPFIRE: Japan's leading crowdfunding platform and core GTM/distribution partner for PLAN A's films. Relevant as the operational infrastructure through which PLAN A has raised record funding (>¥42M aggregate) and built its fan community.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hotspringshark
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@planainc.8339
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61550661497710
• Instagraminstagram.com/onsen_shark
• TikToktiktok.com/@hotspringshark

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 PLAN A