Pop Mint raises $320,000 pre-seed from TV Asahi-backed fund for fan-culture IP

What's the deal? Tokyo-based Pop MintDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has raised US$384.6K in a pre-seed round from EX Innovation Fund, the corporate venture arm backed by TV Asahi HoldingsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and managed by Simplex Capital InvestmentDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. The company produces "oshikatsu" — fan-culture — campaigns built around character IP from manga, anime, games, and VTubers.

What's the endgame? Pop Mint develops both digital and physical fan experiences tied to character IP. It plans to use the new capital to create and grow its own original IP, expand overseas, and strengthen its team.

Why now? Founded in October 2025, Pop Mint is early. Chief executive officer Tetsu Sakano framed the round as a milestone, calling backing from TV Asahi's CVC "a big step for us" and citing the broadcaster's role as an entry point for content.

What's the investor angle? EX Innovation Fund said it wants to combine TV Asahi's IP and content with Pop Mint's planning and execution to open up "new possibilities" in IP business. The fund described Pop Mint as a team with quick, focused execution aimed at Gen Z fans.

The signal: The deal reflects Japanese media groups using CVCs to place early bets on startups that turn IP into fan engagement. For Pop Mint, tying a small first raise to a broadcaster's content pipeline is a bid to scale character-driven experiences at home and abroad.

Read more: prtimes.jp