RisingJoy Signs International Distribution Pact With NTT DOCOMO
Singapore-based RisingJoy has signed a pact with Japan’s NTT DOCOMO Studio to distribute the Japanese company’s vertical content internationally, including anime. The agreement allows titles to be licensed individually on a non-exclusive basis, with terms negotiated for each release.
Separately, RisingJoy plans to produce 30 vertical anime titles by the end of the first quarter of 2027; six are complete and four more are expected by the end of 2026. The first six were made under its RJOY Originals banner, using AI production tools to support short-form output. CEO Cassandra Yang said RisingJoy sees an opportunity in vertical anime, describing its current audience as smaller but highly engaged.
In short
- RisingJoy will distribute NTT DOCOMO Studio’s vertical titles internationally.
- The pact includes anime licensed title by title.
- RisingJoy aims to produce 30 vertical anime titles by early 2027.
Explained simply
NTT DOCOMO is a major Japanese mobile and communications company, and its studio develops and handles entertainment content. Anime is animation made in Japan; vertical content is filmed or presented in a tall format designed for phone screens.
RisingJoy is a Singapore-based company focused on distributing and producing short-form entertainment. Distribution deals allow a company to make titles available in selected markets; in this case, each title can be licensed separately, without giving one distributor exclusive rights.
The agreement connects Japanese titles with audiences outside Japan, while RisingJoy’s own planned productions reflect growing interest in watching short videos on phones. Vertical anime remains a relatively small area, so its audience and commercial reach are still developing.