TAKARATOMY CEO Akio Tomiyama on Asobi and Licca-chan at Anime Expo
The interview shows TAKARATOMY is actively pushing Licca-chan into the North American market by leaning on Asobi as a unifying brand philosophy across children's toys and adult collector lines.
Reporting from 1 source: Anime News Network.
TAKARATOMY President and CEO Akio Tomiyama discussed the company's Anime Expo exhibition, which featured BEYBLADE X, Licca-chan, and Gacha. He explained that the guiding concept behind all their products is "Asobi," the spirit of play. Tomiyama highlighted plans to bring Licca-chan's Japanese "kawaii" culture to North America, including collaborations with Hatsune Miku and adult-oriented designs.
Akio Tomiyama, president and CEO of TAKARATOMY, sat down with Anime News Network after Anime Expo to talk about the company's biggest show presence yet. The booth spanned BEYBLADE X, Licca-chan, and Gacha, letting attendees handle the toys instead of viewing them behind glass.
Tomiyama pointed to Asobi, the Japanese spirit of play, as the thread running through everything TAKARATOMY makes, from kids' products to high-end adult collectibles. On Licca-chan, he said the brand aims to carry Japanese "kawaii" culture to North America, with collaborations like the Hatsune Miku line and dolls designed to appeal to older fans.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.