Sekai Lands Official Naruto License for Global Mobile Apps

French startup Sekai has secured an official global license to develop consumer mobile applications based on the iconic Naruto franchise. The deal, finalized after 15 months of negotiations with TV Tokyo, marks a significant shift in how one of the world’s most popular entertainment properties will be handled outside of Japan.

Founded in 2022, Sekai aims to bridge the gap between the massive global anime audience—estimated at 600 million fans—and interactive digital experiences. While franchises like Naruto, Dragon Ball, and One Piece enjoy immense popularity, their presence in the mobile app market has historically been limited to basic fighting games or simple merchandise.

Building New Experiences for the Shinobi World

According to CEO and co-founder Samy Therain, the studio is currently in an experimentation phase, testing various social and interactive concepts. While the team drew early inspiration from the success of Pokémon Go, Therain clarified that their upcoming project will not be a clone of the title.

“The goal is to make people feel like ninjas, essentially,” Therain said. The licensing agreement grants Sekai the rights to:

• Develop mobile apps featuring Naruto characters and storylines.
• Create interactive social entertainment experiences.
• Release digital collectibles.
• Organize real-life fan events and conventions.

The license covers all territories worldwide, with the notable exceptions of Japan and China.

Navigating Intellectual Property and Funding

Entering the market with an official license has already proven to be a hurdle. During initial testing in Canada, the startup faced temporary blocks from platforms like Meta and TikTok due to strict intellectual property protections. “It took us three months to get unblocked, because nobody believed us,” Therain recalled, noting that platforms were initially skeptical of their legitimate rights to the content.

The company maintains a strong focus on authenticity, working closely with publisher Shueisha to ensure all developments align with the source material. To support this vision, Sekai has raised €10 million (approximately $10.9 million). The funding round included participation from:

• Skycatcher and 776 (Alexis Ohanian’s fund)
• Cygni, Kima Ventures, Makers Fund, and New Wave
• TV Tokyo
• Investors including Voodoo’s Laurent Ritter and Alexandre Yazdi, Sorare’s Nicolas Julia and Adrien Montfort, musician Mike Shinoda, rapper Orelsan, and athletes Rudy Gobert and Randal Kolo Muani.

Looking ahead, Sekai—whose name means “world” in Japanese—intends to expand beyond Naruto. The startup plans to integrate a new major intellectual property into its portfolio every year, signaling a broader ambition to become a central hub for official anime-licensed entertainment.