IPX announced on the 29th that it has secured the domestic master IP business rights for anime IPs Naruto and Sgt. Frog (KERORO), both spanning over 20 years. By overseeing the domestic business for both titles, the company is expanding its IP portfolio into the Japanese animation sector.
With this acquisition, IPX has been exclusively selected as Naruto's master licensee in South Korea for the first time. The scope of business spans online and offline operations, including licensing, merchandise development, domestic brand collaborations, and pop-up stores. Leveraging over a decade of global IP business experience, IPX plans to expand opportunities for both existing fans and new generations to experience the two franchises.
Based on the manga of the same name by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto began airing as a TV anime in 2002. According to IPX, it gained widespread popularity across around 60 countries, and advance reservations for a recent domestic pop-up store held at The Hyundai Seoul sold out in just one minute.
Sgt. Frog is returning with a new season roughly 20 years after its domestic TV broadcast. In Japan, it reconnected with fans in 2026 through its first theatrical feature film in 16 years alongside a new TV series. IPX plans to drive its domestic IP business in conjunction with the content rollouts of both titles.
IPX has been conducting character IP business through partnerships with the K-pop and gaming industries, featuring brands such as LINE FRIENDS, minini, BT21, and ZO&FRIENDS. It has also managed the Asian and global business for domestic IPs including JOGUMAN and DINOTAENG.
An IPX representative stated, “As we take charge of the domestic business for these two global IPs loved for over 20 years, we aim to diversify our IP business in ways that preserve the unique charm of the original works while letting fans across generations enjoy them.” They added, “Based on our differentiated IP business capabilities built over time, IPX will diversify online and offline initiatives—from domestic brand collaborations to licensing and pop-up stores—so that Naruto and Sgt. Frog can naturally weave into fans' daily lives for a long time to come.”
