Digital IP entertainment company IPX (formerly LINE FRIENDS) has secured the master IP rights for the globally beloved Japanese TV Tokyo anime franchises "NARUTO" and "Sgt. Frog (KERORO)," and will oversee their IP business operations in Korea. Notably, IPX has been exclusively selected as the first-ever master licensee for "NARUTO" in Korea. The company will lead all aspects of the IP business, catering to a wide range of domestic fans—from long-time enthusiasts to the Gen Z audience currently captivated by the series—who have been eager for diverse IP experiences. Furthermore, with "Sgt. Frog" returning with a new season for the first time in 20 years since its initial domestic broadcast, IPX expects to leverage its business expertise to reignite the franchise's popularity.

"NARUTO" and "Sgt. Frog" are iconic, long-running anime IPs that have maintained dedicated fanbases worldwide, including in Korea and Japan, since the early 2000s. Based on the manga by Masashi Kishimoto, "NARUTO" sparked a global "Naruto Syndrome" following its 2002 TV debut. Recently in Korea, it has re-emerged as a major hit, with pop-up store reservations at The Hyundai Seoul selling out in just one minute and drawing massive crowds. "Sgt. Frog," meanwhile, has expanded its universe and returned to fans this year with a new theatrical film and TV series in Japan after a 16-year hiatus, generating significant buzz in Korea as well. Capitalizing on this momentum, IPX plans to broaden the touchpoints where existing fans and new generations can engage with these works, expanding them into diverse IP businesses to create synergy between content and commercial operations.

IPX has consistently demonstrated its unparalleled IP business capabilities through its success in creating and nurturing global character IPs—not only through its own brands like LINE FRIENDS, minini, BT21, and ZO&FRIENDS, but also through partnerships with the K-pop and gaming industries. Furthermore, the company has successfully expanded the global reach of promising domestic small and medium-sized IPs such as JOGUMAN and DINOTAENG, showcasing extensive experience and expertise in managing diverse IP businesses that span all age groups. By adding these long-running Japanese anime IPs to its portfolio, IPX aims to leverage its decade of global expertise to evoke nostalgia for fans who grew up with these series, while offering new generations the joy of discovering their next "favorite IP."

An IPX representative stated, "As we take the lead on the domestic business for these two global IPs that have been loved for over 20 years, we intend to develop a diverse range of IP business activities that preserve the unique charm of the originals while appealing to fans of all generations." They added, "Building on our differentiated IP business expertise, we will deploy a multi-faceted approach—from brand collaborations and licensing to pop-up stores—both online and offline, ensuring that 'NARUTO' and 'Sgt. Frog' become a natural part of our fans' daily lives for years to come."

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