Part 10/11:
The ongoing expansion of Tencent into Japan’s anime and manga sectors underscores the immense commercial value these genres hold globally. However, it also raises critical questions about cultural sovereignty, creative freedom, and the preservation of Japan’s unique artistic identity.
Japanese creators’ hesitance to sell outright and their preference for licensing deals reflect their desire to maintain control, but the aggressive tactics of corporations like Tencent highlight how fragile that autonomy might be in a world increasingly driven by corporate interests and geopolitical influences.