TOKYOPOP Invites Fans to Own a Piece of the Company That Built Western Manga Market

The pioneering manga publisher launches its first-ever equity crowdfunding campaign.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:33am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of manga volumes, a Japanese calligraphy brush, and a small origami crane, all arranged elegantly on a clean, white seamless background, conceptually representing TOKYOPOP's legacy of bringing Japanese storytelling to a global audience.TOKYOPOP's pioneering work in popularizing manga has paved the way for the global anime and manga industry's continued growth, as the company now invites fans to own a piece of its trailblazing legacy.Los Angeles Today

TOKYOPOP, the company that popularized manga in the West, announced the launch of a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) equity offering, marking the first time in its nearly 30-year history that the company is opening ownership to the public. The raise aims to provide growth capital to scale TOKYOPOP's integrated 'IP Engine' model, investing in new intellectual property, expanding development opportunities, and increasing the company's ability to bring stories to a global audience across publishing, licensing, and screen adaptation.

Why it matters

The global anime and manga market continues to grow rapidly, with estimates projecting it to exceed $60 billion by 2030. Successful franchises increasingly originate from manga and expand across multiple formats, creating long-term value through cross-media development and global distribution. TOKYOPOP's pioneering role in establishing manga as a mainstream category in the West, combined with its diversified IP portfolio and integrated business model, positions the company to capitalize on this expanding market opportunity.

The details

Founded in 1997, TOKYOPOP has grown into a global, multi-channel business with approximately $15 million in annual revenue, a catalog of more than 100 IP properties, and distribution spanning over 50 countries and 30 languages. The company has brought more than 10,000 titles to market, achieved multiple #1 rankings on U.S. BookScan charts, and continues to expand its footprint across publishing, licensing, and screen adaptation, including the live-action film 'Priest' at Sony Pictures and a series of anime productions.

  • TOKYOPOP was founded in 1997.
  • The company is launching a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) equity offering in April 2026.

The players

TOKYOPOP

A global, multi-channel business that pioneered the popularization of manga in the Western world, with a catalog of more than 100 IP properties and distribution in over 50 countries and 30 languages.

Stu Levy

The Founder and CEO of TOKYOPOP, who led the company's efforts to bring Japanese stories to a global audience despite initial skepticism from industry gatekeepers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Nearly 30 years ago, we launched the Manga Revolution, back when the gatekeepers told us no one in America wanted Japanese stories. We proved them wrong — and so did the fans. Today, manga and anime are a global phenomenon. Now, for the first time, we're opening the company up and inviting fans to join us as owners.”

— Stu Levy, Founder & CEO of TOKYOPOP

What’s next

TOKYOPOP's Reg CF equity offering is now open to the public, and interested investors can learn more at invest.tokyopop.com.

The takeaway

TOKYOPOP's pioneering work in popularizing manga in the West has paved the way for the global anime and manga industry's continued growth, and the company's Reg CF offering allows fans to become part-owners of this trailblazing media company.