What Dream Link Entertainment does

DLE Inc. (株式会社ディー・エル・イー, Dream Link Entertainment, TSE: 3686) is a Tokyo-headquartered Japanese entertainment company that operates as both an original IP creator and a third-party animation production studio. Founded in 2001 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since 2014, DLE owns a portfolio of original anime brands — most notably Secret Society Eagle-Talon's (鷹の爪団, originating 2006, 9 theatrical films), Panpaka Pants (LINE stamp world #1 ranking), Taeko no Nichijo (4 TV seasons), Sorotani no Animecchi (1.05M+ YouTube subscribers, 850M+ cumulative views), and Kai Shain — and monetizes them through licensing, brand collaborations, merchandise, NFT/digital collectibles, and broadcast/streaming distribution. The company simultaneously runs a production-services business, producing commissioned short-form anime for major IP holders including TYPE-MOON/Aniplex (Fate/Grand Order spinoff), Shueisha (Jump spinoffs), Kodansha (Tsurifune Shima Kosaku 40th anniversary special), Bandai Namco (Crayon Shin-chan spinoff), and local governments (Fukui, Shimane, Tokyo Metropolitan civic campaigns).

Its business model spans five revenue streams: IP development and licensing (royalties), animation production services (project fees), merchandise and product sales (gachapon via Bandai, LINE stamps, e-commerce at dle-shop.jp), game/app development (App Store, Google Play, Roblox), and brand collaboration/advertising. Distribution is multi-channel — owned YouTube channels, Japanese TV networks (TV Tokyo, Fuji TV, BS Asahi, regional stations), streaming platforms (TVer, FOD, d Anime, Amazon Prime, U-NEXT, LINE NFT), Bandai gachapon, and Ito-Yokado retail.

Underlying technology includes DLE's proprietary 'Alternative Anime' (オルタナティブ・アニメ) production method, which enables middle-quality animation at short lead times, and the 2025-launched OBETA AI STUDIO, which combines generative AI with DLE's IP library. Since 2019 the company has been a subsidiary of Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings, and it has expanded internationally via MYFEEL (Taiwan, 2022), DLE KOREA (2023), and iNKODE JAPAN (2024). Go-to-market is product-led, with free YouTube content driving audience acquisition that is then converted through licensing, merchandise, and B2B collaboration deals.

Name

Dream Link Entertainment

Legal name

株式会社ディー・エル・イー

Website

https://dle.jp

Company type

Public

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Dream Link Entertainment (DLE Inc.) is a Tokyo-based, publicly traded Japanese animation IP company that creates, owns, and licenses original anime brands (Taka no Tsume-dan, Panpaka Pants, Taeko, Sorotani no Animecchi) and produces commissioned short-form animation for broadcasters, consumer brands, and government clients across YouTube, TV, streaming, merchandise, and emerging AI and metaverse channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. IP Development and Licensing: DLE develops and manages its own IP portfolio including characters and anime brands, licensing rights to third parties for merchandise, media adaptations, and promotional use. Revenue is generated through licensing fees and royalty arrangements.
2. Animation Production Services: DLE produces animation for third-party IP owners including major brands (Fate/Grand Order, クレヨンしんちゃん, etc.), acting as a production studio on commissioned works. Revenue is one-time production fees or co-production revenue shares.
3. Merchandise and Product Sales: DLE sells physical merchandise including character goods, LINE stamps, LINE NFT digital collectibles, gashapon toys, and other branded products through e-commerce, retail partners, and gachapon machines.
4. Game and App Development: DLE develops and distributes game apps and digital applications, including original titles and tie-in games with popular IPs. Revenue generated through app sales and in-app purchases.
5. Brand Collaboration and Sales Promotion: DLE provides brand collaboration services using its IP characters in advertising campaigns, sales promotions, and content marketing for corporate clients and local governments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DLE Inc. is a Japanese entertainment production company that develops and owns original anime and character intellectual property (IP), produces animation on commission for third-party IP holders, and monetizes its IP portfolio through licensing, merchandise, digital distribution, and brand collaborations. The company operates an in-house animation studio and, since 2025, the OBETA AI STUDIO for AI-assisted content creation, and runs business lines spanning video production, sales promotion, and lifestyle design.

Product overview

DLE Inc. is a comprehensive entertainment production company that develops IP (intellectual property including copyrights and trademark rights) and produces anime and character content. The company's core offerings include original anime productions (such as '秘密結社 鷹の爪' and 'パンパカパンツ'), commissioned animation production services, short-form web anime content through brands like 'スキマノアニメ', and digital content distribution across YouTube, streaming platforms, and NFT marketplaces. DLE operates through its Animation Studio for production services and manages a portfolio of owned IP characters that generate revenue through licensing, merchandise, collaborations, and digital content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 鷹の爪団 (Taka no Tsume-dan): Secret Organization Eagle's Claw — DLE's flagship IP featuring a comedic villain group attempting world domination.
• 貝社員 (Kai Shain)
• 耐え子 (Taeko)
• amadana
• エモクリ (Emocri)
• FROGMAN
• モリ・マサ (Mori Masa)
• そろそろ谷川 (Sorotani)
• パンパカパンツ (Panpaka Pants)
• OBETA AI STUDIO
• スキマノアニメ (Sukima no Anime)

Products and services

• 秘密結社 鷹の爪団 (Secret Society Taka-no-tsume) DLE's flagship original anime property featuring the comedic villain group Taka-no-tsume-dan attempting world domination; sold to broadcasters, licensed for merchandise, and used in collaborations and local revitalization projects.
• パンパカパンツ (Panpaka Pants) Original short anime character IP co-developed with SBS, expanded to TV series, theatrical film, LINE stamps (world #1 ranking), and 3D NFT figurines sold on LINE NFT marketplace.
• 耐え子の日常 (Taeko no Nichijo) Original comic and animation series about an office lady who endures daily hardships; distributed on TV (TOKYO MX, ABC TV) and YouTube, with broad merchandise and brand collaborations.
• そろそろ谷川 (Sorotani no Animecchi) YouTube-native comedy anime channel featuring high-tempo conversational animations with original songs; built audience of 1.05M+ subscribers and 850M+ views (as of March 2025) and used for branded content such as the Nissin U.F.O. TV CM.
• ぽちゃーズ (Pochars) Short comedy anime featuring deflated/chubby versions of animals, co-produced with Fuji Television, distributed on TV and YouTube.
• 貝社員 (Kai Shain) DLE's original anime IP featuring negative office worker characters; used for brand collaborations including Lipovitan D.
• OBETA AI STUDIO In-house AI video studio combining generative AI with DLE's IP portfolio to accelerate content production and enable new AI-driven IP business models.
• AI蛙男商会 (AI FROGMAN COMPANY) Generative AI-driven revival of DLE's cult Heisei-era 'Kaeru Otoko Shokai' (FROGMAN) anime brand, producing new AI-generated anime content.
• GEEEEET!! THE SOULS!! Original game content released on the Roblox metaverse platform, expanding DLE's IP into user-generated and virtual experience content.
• Fate/Grand Order 藤丸立香はわからない Commissioned short anime series for the Fate/Grand Order mobile game, produced under TYPE-MOON license and distributed by Aniplex.
• 野原ひろし 昼メシの流儀 (Crayon Shin-chan spin-off) Commissioned TV anime spin-off of the Crayon Shin-chan 'Hiroshi Nohara Lunch Rules' food manga, broadcast on BS Asahi.
• Animation Production Services Studio service for producing animation on commission from third-party IP owners (e.g., TYPE-MOON, Shueisha, Kodansha) and brands, delivered on a project or co-production basis.
• Character Merchandise and LINE Digital Goods Physical character goods, gachapon toys (with Bandai), LINE stamps, LINE decorations, and LINE NFT digital collectibles sold through DLE Shop, LINE stores, and gachapon machines.
• Sales Promotion / Brand Collaboration Services Service providing character-based promotional content, TV commercials, and collaboration campaigns to consumer brands and government agencies using DLE's IP (e.g., Nissin U.F.O. TV CM, JRA horse racing promotion, Tokyo election awareness).

Quantifiable outcome

• YouTube channel 'そろ谷のアニメっち' reached 850 million total views and 1.05 million subscribers (March 2025)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 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

Integration14 records

AI capability2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• 株式会社ニップン (Nippon Flour Mills / ニップン)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 November 2025DLE collaborated with Nippn on a campaign using '耐え子の日常' for the 'ニップン よくばりシリーズ' frozen food products, featuring 1-panel manga on the campaign page and耐 之子の X (Twitter) account, with a sweepstakes for 100 winners.
• バンダイ (Bandai)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2025Bandai distributes 'パンパカパンツ めじるしアクセサリー' gashapon products (5 items, 300 JPY each, tax-inclusive) through gashapon machines at Bandai official shops, toy counters, electronics retailers, and mass merchants nationwide from October 2025.
• 東京都選挙管理委員会 (Tokyo Metropolitan Election Administration Commission)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 June 2025DLE produced election awareness videos featuring '耐え子の日常' characters for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election (June 2025) and upcoming House of Councillors election, distributed via Instagram ads with multiple alternate-ending videos.
• KADOKAWA (日本ホラー映画大賞運営委員会)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2025DLE's creator FROGMAN serves as a permanent selection committee member for the Japan Horror Film Awards (日本ホラー映画大賞), an initiative operated by KADOKAWA and its partners to discover and support new Japanese horror filmmakers. FROGMAN has been on the committee since its founding in 2021, and both previous grand prize winners have achieved theatrical releases.
• 東京都赤十字血液センター (Tokyo Red Cross Blood Center)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 January 2025DLE provided its character '耐え子の日常' for a blood donation awareness campaign targeting young people (ages 16-39) during the winter shortage period. The campaign ran January-February 2025 with original manga and video content distributed via social media.
• LIVE BOARDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 October 2024DLE partnered with LIVE BOARD to display digital signage versions of 'ぽちゃーズ' anime on Saitama Rapid Railway vehicle interior screens (dynamic vehicle screens, 480 screens), reaching commuters from October 2024.
• オープンメタバースネットワーク / 豊島株式会社 (Open Metaverse Network / Toyoshima)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 March 2024DLE participated in the 'Sakura Virtual Fes 2024' event organized by Open Metaverse Network, featuring 'パンパカパンツ' character stamps on the 'BUZZU' custom merchandise platform operated by Toyoshima, enabling virtual event attendees to create original goods.
• 集英社 (Shueisha) / 小学館 (Shogakukan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2023DLE produces spin-off anime adaptations of popular Shueisha manga properties under license, including '魁!!男塾' spin-off under the 'スキマノアニメ' web anime brand, and '夜桜さんちの大作戦' mini anime for the Shonen Jump franchise. DLE also adapts Shogakukan-licensed works.
• 東京都消費生活総合センター (Tokyo Metropolitan Consumer Affairs Center)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 December 2023DLE collaborated with the Tokyo Metropolitan Consumer Affairs Center on a youth consumer protection campaign, producing 'そろ谷のアニメっち' short anime videos (15s and 30s) warning young people about fraudulent sales tactics.
• 日本中央競馬会 (JRA)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 November 2023JRA collaborates with DLE's '秘密結社 鷹の爪' for anime content promoting horse racing, having produced three installments of the '秘密厩舎 馬の蹄' spin-off series (2023-2024) airing on Asahi Broadcasting Television, with voice casting including 金田朋子.
• リードエッジコンサルティング / 読売テレビエンタープライズ (Lead Edge Consulting / YTE)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 October 2023DLE collaborated on the 'I am xAlice' NFT anime IP co-creation project, producing an animated promotional video. Partners include Lead Edge Consulting (NFT marketplace/collection operator) and Yomiuri TV Enterprises (content production).
• DLE KOREA (South Korea)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023DLE established Korean subsidiary DLE KOREA in September 2023 to strengthen its Korean entertainment business and expand its IP licensing and production operations in the South Korean market.
• 弘兼憲史 / 講談社 (Kenkakusan / Kodansha) - 島耕作 seriesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2023DLE produced 'タイムスリップ島耕作' anime special under license from the 島耕作 series (Kenkakusan/Kodansha) to commemorate the manga's 40th anniversary, featuring FROGMAN's comedic adaptation of the business manga franchise.
• 日清食品 (Nissin Foods)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 March 2023DLE produced a TV CM 'そろ谷U.F.O.食べたやろ 篇' (15s/30s) for Nissin Yakisoba U.F.O. as a first-time collaboration, featuring characters from 'そろ谷のアニメっち'. The CM was broadcast nationally across Japan.
• TYPE-MOON / Aniplex / FGO PROJECTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2023DLE produces the official short anime 'Fate/Grand Order 藤丸立香はわからない' under TYPE-MOON license, with Aniplex distributing. The series has aired on multiple occasions including the annual 'Fate Project 大晦日TVスペシャル' and expanded to Season 2 (2024).
• Amazon Prime VideomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 October 2022DLE's anime 'ヒューマンバグ大学 -不死学部不幸学科-' secured exclusive streaming distribution on Amazon Prime Video from October 2022, marking a key platform distribution deal for the YouTube-adapted anime.
• MYFEEL (Taiwan)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022DLE acquired Taiwan company MYFEEL in 2022 as part of its Asia entertainment expansion strategy, strengthening DLE's presence in the Taiwanese market.
• LINE NFT / LINE CorporationmajorTechnology or Integration · 27 October 2020DLE partnered with LINE to launch NFT digital collectibles (3D figurines) of 'パンパカパンツ' characters on LINE's NFT marketplace. First model launched October 2022 at 3,500 JPY per unit, selling out within 20 minutes; second model released December 2022.
• 静岡放送 (SBS / Shizuoka Broadcasting System)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2020SBS co-developed the 'パンパカパンツ' character IP with DLE from 2008, and has been a long-term strategic partner in character content development. SBS jointly hosted a webinar on local TV character business with DLE COO 高倉喜仁 as moderator.
• パス・コミュニケーションズ (PAS Communications)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020DLE collaborated with PAS Communications to display original '鷹の爪団' content '細かすぎる属性占い' on outdoor digital signage (Shibuya 109 Forum Vision and Harajuku Omotesando Vision), leveraging the characters' popularity for outdoor advertising.
• 山陰中央テレビジョン放送 (TSK / Sanchuo Television)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2019DLE and TSK jointly operate the 'TSK YouTube課' YouTube channel, featuring original anime spin-offs of '秘密結社 鷹の爪' (吉田くん) and '耐え子の日常' (耐え子), with TSK hiring these characters as YouTube department staff. This is a unique local TV-social media hybrid collaboration.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sanrio: Japan-headquartered character IP company (Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll) earning most revenue from character licensing, merchandise, and brand collaborations. Closely comparable business model to DLE's character IP licensing and merchandise segments.
• Twin Engine: Japanese animation studio focused on IP incubation and production management for creative teams; highly comparable to DLE in building sustainable IP businesses around original anime properties rather than purely commissioned work.
• OLM (Oriental Light and Magic): Japanese animation studio producing Pokémon and Yo-kai Watch; comparable as an animation studio with deep commissioned production relationships alongside original IP work.
• Wit Studio: Japanese animation studio producing Attack on Titan, Spy x Family, and ranking-of-kings; comparable mid-sized studio producing both original and commissioned anime content with a focus on quality IP development.
• Madhouse: Long-established Japanese animation studio producing both original and commissioned work; co-produced '若おかみは小学生!' with DLE. Highly comparable as a mid-sized Japanese animation production studio serving third-party IP holders and developing original content.
• San-X: Japanese character IP company (Rilakkuma, Sumikko Gurashi) with a comparable IP-licensing and merchandise model to DLE's パンパカパンツ and 耐え子, focused on character development, licensing, and consumer product distribution.
• Pierrot: Japanese animation studio producing Naruto/Boruto and Bleach; comparable as an established anime production house with significant third-party IP commissions alongside proprietary properties.
• Shin-Ei Animation: Japanese animation studio producing Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan; DLE produced a Shin-Ei/Bandai-licensed Crayon Shin-chan spin-off. Highly comparable as an anime studio that produces commissioned TV animation and derivative works for major IP holders.

Broad incumbents

• Toei Animation: Largest Japanese animation studio (Dragon Ball, One Piece) operating a vertically integrated production and licensing model. Comparable as an incumbent in Japanese anime production and IP commercialization, though materially larger than DLE.
• Bandai Namco Filmworks: Animation production arm of Bandai Namco (Gundam, Love Live!), combining anime production with toy/merchandise distribution. Bandai is already a DLE partner (パンパカパンツ gachapon), making this an incumbent peer with overlap in anime-IP-toy pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dreamlinkent
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCy4lGSE0rADMfp12aUxpBLw
• Facebookfacebook.com/dreamlinkent
• TikToktiktok.com/@pochars_info
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dle-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors4 records

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

M&A1 record

Investments3 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Dream Link Entertainment