Harappa LLC, the anime studio behind the Urawa no Usagi-chan anime has come up with an innovative and novel way of granting copyright licenses that could potentially revolutionise the creative industries.
▼ Harappa LLC producer Tomotaka Misawa, left, holds up a flier for "Urawa no Usagi-chan at the Saitama prefectural office. (Credits: Takuya Ikeda, Asahi Shimbun)
The 3-minute slice-of-life anime short, produced by an All-Saitama production team was aimed at promoting the Urawa ward of the prefecture to anime fans. It aired during the Spring anime season in early April. Revolving around a cast of eight cute high school girls modelled after common anime stereotypes, it features them going about their daily lives in the former prefectural capital.
▼ Second season when
Essentially, any goods or products featuring characters from anime will become official by simply applying an official sticker to the product! You can skip the cumbersome red tape that often comes with applying for permission for the use of copyrighted work.
▼ That's right, all you need is a sticker!
If the value of your product is below 2000 yen, you will require one sticker. For every additional 2000 yen increase in its value, you will have to apply an extra sticker to your product. Now, you have an officially-licensed merchandise ready for sale!
"What if I'm planning to sell a dakimakura cover for 20000 yen?"
Easy, apply 10 stickers on it!
Easy, apply 10 stickers on it!
Harappa (Booth A124) will be marketing the "Business Kit Starter Set" at the upcoming AFA 2015 at 5000 yen each (Singapore prices pending). The set includes:
- a sheet of 10 official stickers, along with
- a DVD with three episodes of the anime,
- a character data kit with usable illustrations,
- a business manual for startups and best of all,
- support from the anime's production committee.
Sheets of 10 stickers may also be purchased separately at 1000 yen each.
▼ Your product gets the backing of the production committee if you purchase this!
This could pave the way for some potentially interesting uses.
▼ Hmm...where shall we stick the sticker on this one...
▼ Does that mean that if you stick a sticker on this, it becomes original too? You mean it's not!?
▼ Official "Urawa no Usagi-chan" website!?
That's certainly something unique for you to consider spending your cash on at the convention next week, amidst all the usual expensive merchandise and figurines.
▼ Harappa LLC will be exhibiting at Booth A124 at Anime Festival Asia 2015 in Singapore next weekend.
You better get your copyright licenses fast while they're still affordable though, before Urawa no Usagi-chan's popularity skyrockets with a live action spin-off or movie sequel. After all, isn't that all the rage nowadays? If you haven't watched it yet, you've got no time to lose!
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