Profile: Takuya oversees the video licensing business for Japanese anime, drama, and variety content at Prime Video Content Division. Also leads the worldwide distribution program for anime originating from Japan.
After joining Amazon Japan, gained experience across various media categories including books, music, and DVDs, and then served as Head of Prime Video Marketplace, overseeing TVOD, EST, and Channels business. Assumed current position in August 2025.

Profile: I spent five years at a production company, five years at an advertising agency, and eleven years at a publishing house. A lifelong anime enthusiast, I began working part time at a production company during my university years. I currently serve as a director in Kodansha’s Anime & Game Business Department. With deep respect for everyone involved in the creative process, I hope to continue taking on new challenges.

Profile: I work in Kodansha’s Rights MD Department as well as the Anime & Game Business Department. After serving as an editor for women’s fashion magazines and journalistic publications, I moved into my current role. I am an anime producer for the new series 'THE GHOST IN THE SHELL' and the broader 'THE GHOST IN THE SHELL' franchise, overseeing collaboration projects—including merchandise development—and overall branding initiatives.

Profile: Anime critic. Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1968. Began writing articles on anime in 2000. His major publications include “Anime to Senso” (Anime and War) (Nihon Hyoronsha), "Why We Watch Anime" (Film Art), “Zenso Henkai ‘Anime Critic’ Manifesto” (Chikuma Shobo), “Yoshiyuki Tomino Theory” (Chikuma Shobo). Professor, Department of Animation, Faculty of Art, Tokyo Polytechnic University.

Profile: Since 2011, he has been responsible for research and editing of the Japan Animation Association's “Anime Industry Report,” and has served as its Chief Editor since 2025. At the Japan Animation Association, he is also involved in human resource development for anime production sites and the establishment of digital environments. At Human Media Inc., he oversees research and analysis for the content industry, handling numerous government initiatives related to anime and content. He is currently advancing projects such as measuring the “Overseas Expansion of Cool Japan-Related Industries (KGI/KPI)” for the Cabinet Office Intellectual Property Office. Since 2022, he has also served as a part-time lecturer teaching “Animation” at Senshu University's Faculty of Network Information.

Profile: Tadashi Sudo is a journalist who was born in Mexico and raised in Yokohama. He has been involved in news and research on the visual business with a focus on animation. After working for a leading securities company, he established the information website "Anime! Anime!" in 2004. In 2016, he left “Anime! Anime!” to become freelancer. Major publications: "Who Makes the Future of Anime Business? A Quiet Revolution Caused by Chinese Capital and Internet Distribution" , “How did Japanese animation directors break into the world?” by Seikaisha.

Profile: Dr. Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions and Co-Chair of the Executive Committee for Mohammed bin Salman Center for Future Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo. He's also Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia and Former Chief Advisor to SNK's Chairman. Dr. Bukhary, Saudi Cultural Attaché to Japan for 7 years, won the Japanese Foreign Minister prize twice. Holding a PhD in international studies in technology and innovation management, he earned M.A. and B.A. degrees in industrial and system management engineering from Waseda University. In 2024, he was selected by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as one of the international experts to judge the WIPO Global Awards competition.

Profile: After graduating from university, I worked as an editor for a specialized advertising and marketing magazine and later as a researcher at a marketing company. In July 2000, I founded Character Databank, Inc. (CDB). While overseeing CDB’s business operations, I have also been active as an analyst in the character business, appearing as a commentator on television, newspapers, and magazines, as well as engaging in writing and lecturing. I also serve as a visiting researcher at the Institute of Content Business, SANNO University. My publications include Character Marketing Explained with Diagrams (co-authored, published by Japan Management Association Management Center).

Profile: Tadashi Sudo is a journalist who was born in Mexico and raised in Yokohama. He has been involved in news and research on the visual business with a focus on animation. After working for a leading securities company, he established the information website "Anime! Anime!" in 2004. In 2016, he left “Anime! Anime!” to become freelancer. Major publications: "Who Makes the Future of Anime Business? A Quiet Revolution Caused by Chinese Capital and Internet Distribution" , “How did Japanese animation directors break into the world?” by Seikaisha.

Profile: Born in 1996. Studied abroad in California, USA in 2016, voluntarily withdrew from university in 2019 and returned to Japan. Enrolled in a vocational school in Tokyo in 2020.
Released the short animation “Milky☆Highway” in 2022. Since beginning freelance work, has participated in music video production and corporate tie-up projects. In 2025, “Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway,” which he directed, wrote, designed characters for, and produced almost entirely by himself, was broadcast and streamed.

Profile: For Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway, he composed portions of the original score, including select tracks, insert songs, and promotional songs, while also contributing to sound effects production. He specializes in sound design that enhances and immerses audiences in a work’s world, and is actively engaged in self-produced projects. His self-produced music has gained traction primarily on platforms such as TikTok, surpassing 100 million total views in 2025.

Profile: Anime critic. Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1968. Began writing articles on anime in 2000. His major publications include “Anime to Senso” (Anime and War) (Nihon Hyoronsha), "Why We Watch Anime" (Film Art), “Zenso Henkai ‘Anime Critic’ Manifesto” (Chikuma Shobo), “Yoshiyuki Tomino Theory” (Chikuma Shobo). Professor, Department of Animation, Faculty of Art, Tokyo Polytechnic University.

Profile: Joining NTT Docomo in 2000 in mobile music and video distribution, he later became a part of MediaDo in 2008 and helped launch an e-book business, serving as Director and General Manager of the business division from 2013 and Director of Group COO from 2017. He now leads operation of the world's largest anime & manga community database as CEO of MyAnimeList since 2019. With extensive experience in digital content distribution, new business development & building global alliances, he is now promoting the international expansion of anime and manga.