GENDA Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Nao Kataoka; hereinafter referred to as “Company”) is pleased to announce the full-scale launch of ASOBIDAS, Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hiroki Tamura; hereinafter “ASOBIDAS”), a company in which we have an equity interest. ASOBIDAS is a new company jointly established by ASOBISYSTEM Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yusuke Nakagawa; hereinafter “ASOBISYSTEM”) and MIDAS CAPITAL Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Managing Partner: Hideki Yoshimura; hereinafter “MIDAS CAPITAL”).
ASOBIDAS is a new company dedicated to platform operations within the “Oshi-Katsu” (fan support activities) market, while supporting businesses in maximizing revenue and achieving AX (AI Transformation). ASOBIDAS is an “Oshi-Katsu AX Company” that fuses “creativity and frontline expertise” cultivated by ASOBISYSTEM at the forefront of the entertainment industry with MIDAS CAPITAL’s “technology, management and M&A capabilities.” The company was established to contribute to the further growth and globalization of the entire fan-support market by building an “Oshi-Katsu” platform that accurately converts fan “passion” into “tangible value.”
◼️Background of the establishment of ASOBIDAS: Eliminating “hidden opportunity loss” within the fan business
While Japanese entertainment possesses immense global potential, the services used by fans and management are often fragmented, creating “hidden opportunity losses.” Due to a lack of integration between tools and data, the reality is that fan “passion” is not being fully converted into revenue or channeled into the next fan experience. ASOBIDAS was established to solve these challenges as a “Partner for Maximizing Revenue and DX Support in the Oshi-Katsu business.” We go beyond merely digitizing operations (DX) to promote AX, using the power of AI to transform accumulated data into new value. By seamlessly connecting fans and businesses and eliminating opportunity losses, we aim to maximize both revenue and the user experience.
◼️ASOBIDAS Three Core Competencies
1. Improve fan experience and maximize revenue through the “Oshi-Katsu AX Platform”
By fusing entertainment “sensibility” with “advanced engineering” from product development professionals, we will build an “Oshi-Katsu” platform that leverages AI to provide a seamless customer experience. Covering every genre from pop culture and sports to traditional arts, we will offer a diverse range of fan business content, including fan clubs and e-commerce. Furthermore, by leveraging AI, we will provide deep, optimized experiences tailored to each individual fan. By capturing fan enthusiasm without missing a beat, we will increase satisfaction while simultaneously maximizing LTV (Lifetime Value).
2. Comprehensive support through the fusion of “frontline expertise” and “technology”
By merging ASOBISYSTEM’s “frontline expertise” with MIDAS CAPITAL’s “technical prowess,” ASOBIDAS will ensure its development team deeply understands the realities of the field. This will allow us to overhaul the complex coordination and administrative tasks that previously had to be handled manually. By dramatically reducing workloads and eliminating dependency on specific individuals, we will support the creation of a sustainable environment where people can focus on “high-value work that only humans can do.”
3. “Continuous Transformational Growth” through M&A strategies
To comprehensively meet the diversifying needs of “Oshi-katsu,” ASOBIDAS will go beyond in-house development to actively pursue partnerships and M&A with industry leaders. By merging at a capital level with companies that possess superior technology and established customer bases, we will maximize the value we deliver as a platform.
◼️ASOBIDAS Case studies and Future expansion
We have already begun implementation and collaboration across entirely different sectors, providing multifaceted support that leverages ASOBIDAS’s unique strengths.
<Traditional Culture: Isegahama Sumo Stable>
We have begun supporting the Isegahama Stable in the professional sumo world as a DX case study in traditional culture. By integrating digital technology with the long-standing traditions of sumo, we assist in streamlining supporter club (Koen-kai) operations, enhancing fan services through data utilization, and reaching new fan demographics.
<Entertainment Domain: Support for idols belonging to ASOBISYSTEM>
We have launched support for artists who belong to ASOBISYSTEM. By utilizing the ASOBIDAS “Oshi-Katsu” platform – including features such as online meet-and-greets and online lotteries – we are strengthening fan engagement and maximizing revenue.
<Domains to be expanded in the future>
Using these initial achievements as model cases, we will accelerate the implementation of our platform across the following sectors.
● Entertainment: idols, artists, 2.5D stage/musicals, VTubers, etc.
● Sports and Traditional culture: Sumo tournaments, sports teams, regional development, etc.
Through our capital participation in ASOBIDAS, we will support the company’s growth while promoting collaborations that leverage the respective strengths of both companies to create optimal synergies. Furthermore, the Company will continue to contribute to the further development of the entertainment industry – including the “Oshi-Katsu” market – as we strive toward our Aspiration of “More fun for your days.”
■ GENDA Corporate outline
“More fun for your days”
To realize this Aspiration, GENDA is an entertainment company that aims to build a global entertainment network and increase the “total amount of fun” distributed throughout the world.
We operate a wide range of businesses in entertainment, including Amusement, Karaoke, Lifestyle, Tourism, Food & Beverage, Character Merchandising and Contents & Promotions (movies, interactive contents, etc.). Both domestically and internationally, we operate approximately 1,100 locations, including amusement arcades such as “GiGO,” the karaoke chain “Karaoke BanBan” and the photography studio “Studio CARATT” as well as approximately 13,000 mini-locations (mainly a gaming corner with 30 or fewer game machines installed). We operate in various regions including Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam.
Company name: GENDA Inc.
Representative: Representative Director, President and CEO Nao Kataoka
Established: May 2018
Location: 6F Tokyo Shiodome Building, 1-9-1 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Web site: https://genda.jp/en
GENDA IR page: https://genda.jp/en/ir
