-IPX (formerly LINE FRIENDS) has secured the domestic IP rights for the iconic Japanese anime franchises "NARUTO" and "KERORO," both of which have been beloved by fans worldwide for over 20 years. The company will manage comprehensive IP business operations, including licensing and product development.

-Selected as the first master licensee for "NARUTO" in Korea and overseeing the domestic IP business for "KERORO," which has returned with a new series after 20 years, IPX is expanding touchpoints to bridge long-time anime fandoms with new generations of fans.

-Building on its expertise in IP business—ranging from its own original IPs to partnerships in K-pop and gaming—the company is now expanding its portfolio and business scope to include Japanese anime IPs.

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Digital IP entertainment company IPX (formerly LINE FRIENDS) has secured the master IP rights for the globally beloved Japanese TV Tokyo animation franchises "NARUTO" and "KERORO," which have captivated fans for over 20 years. IPX will oversee all domestic IP business operations. Notably, IPX has been exclusively selected as the first-ever master licensee for "NARUTO" in Korea, positioning the company to lead comprehensive IP business initiatives for a wide range of domestic fans—from long-time enthusiasts to the Gen Z audience currently rediscovering the series. Furthermore, with "KERORO" returning with a new season for the first time in 20 years since its initial domestic broadcast, IPX expects to leverage its business expertise to reignite the franchise's popularity.

"NARUTO" and "KERORO" are iconic, long-running animation IPs that have maintained dedicated fanbases worldwide, including in Korea and Japan, since the early 2000s. Based on the manga by Masashi Kishimoto, "NARUTO" sparked a global "Naruto Syndrome" following its 2002 TV debut. Recently, it has re-emerged as a major hit in Korea, with pop-up store reservations at The Hyundai Seoul selling out in just one minute and drawing massive crowds. Meanwhile, "KERORO" has expanded its universe, returning to fans this year with a new theatrical film and TV series in Japan after a 16-year hiatus, creating a buzz in Korea as well. Capitalizing on this momentum, IPX plans to broaden the touchpoints where existing fans and new generations can engage with these works, expanding them into diverse IP businesses to create synergy between content and commercial ventures.

IPX has consistently demonstrated its unparalleled IP business capabilities through its success in creating and nurturing global character IPs—both its own, such as LINE FRIENDS, minini, BT21, and ZO&FRIENDS, and through partnerships with the K-pop and gaming industries. Furthermore, the company has successfully expanded the global reach of promising domestic small and medium-sized IPs like JOGUMAN and DINOTAENG, showcasing extensive experience and expertise in managing diverse IP businesses that span all age groups. By adding these long-running Japanese animation IPs to its portfolio, IPX aims to leverage its decade of global expertise to offer long-time fans a nostalgic trip down memory lane, while providing new generations with the joy of discovering their next "favorite IP."

An IPX representative stated, "As we take the lead on the domestic business for these two global IPs that have been loved for over two decades, we intend to develop a diverse range of IP business initiatives that preserve the unique charm of the originals while appealing to fans of all generations." They added, "Building on our differentiated IP business expertise, we will deploy a multi-faceted approach—from brand collaborations and licensing to pop-up stores—both online and offline, ensuring that NARUTO and KERORO become a natural part of our fans' daily lives for years to come."

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