Intellectual Property and the Japanese Media Mix - Videogames between Fan culture and business strategies

Aug 21, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

Japanese video games are a major segment of the global entertainment and media industry and a core expression of Japanese popular culture worldwide. Many technological advances originate from Japanese companies, and iconic franchises have been shaped through media mix strategies that extend shared narratives across anime, manga, games, and related merchandise. Strong fan communities intensify cultural impact, yet certain fan activities can implicate intellectual property (IP) rights. This paper analyzes the Japanese video game media mix, associated fan cultures, and the resulting complex IP considerations publishers face.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages31

Reading Time1 h 18 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Media mix strategy and global pop culture

Fan communities and IP concerns

City Research Online City St George’s, University of London Citation: Imamura, T. & Mimler, M. (2025) . Intellectual Property and the Japanese Media Mix: video games between Fan culture and business strategies (2025/08) . London, UK: City Law School, City University of London. This is the published version of the paper. This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. To cite this item please consult the publisher's version. Permanent repository link: [https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/36392/](https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/36392/) [Copyright and Reuse:](Copyright and Reuse: Copyright and Moral Rights remain with the author)[ Copyright and Moral Rights remain with the author](Copyright and Reuse: Copyright and Moral Rights remain with the author)([s](s)) and/or copyright holders. Copies of full items can be used for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge, unless otherwise indicated, provided that the authors, title and full bibliographic details are credited, a hyperlink and/or URL is given for the original metadata page and the content is not changed in any way. For full details of reuse please refer to City Research Online policy. City Research Online: [http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/](http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/ publications@citystgeorges.ac.uk)[ ](http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/ publications@citystgeorges.ac.uk)[ publications@citystgeorges.ac.uk](http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/ publications@citystgeorges.ac.uk) Intellectual Property and the Japanese Media Mix: Videogames between Fan culture and business strategies CLS Working Paper Series 2024/25 Tetsuya Imamura Professor, School of Information and Communication, Meiji University Marc Mimler* Senior Lecturer in Law, The City Law School, City St. George's, University of London. * The City Law School, City, University of London, London, EC1V 0HB Tetsuya Imamura. Marc Mimler The City Law School This text may be downloaded for personal research purposes only. Any additional reproduction for other purposes, whether in hard copy or electronically, requires the consent of the author(s) . If cited or quoted, reference should be made to the name(s) of the author(s), the title, the number, and the working paper series All rights reserved. © 2025 The City Law School Working Paper Series are published by The City Law School, City University London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB. An index to the working papers in The City Law School Working Paper Series is located at: [www.city.ac.uk/law/research/working-papers](www.city.ac.uk/law/research/working-papers) Intellectual Property and the Japanese Media Mix: Video games between Fan culture and business strategies Forthcoming in the Research Handbook on Interactive Entertainment Law (Edward Elgar) edited by Gaetano Dimita, Yin Harn Lee, Michaela MacDonald and Marc Mimler Tetsuya Imamura, Professor, School of Information and Communication, Meiji University (Tokyo, Japan); ORCID identifier: 0009-0008-3534-0829; email: Marc Mimler, Senior Lecturer in Law, City University London, City Law School (London, UK); ORCID identifier: 0000-0002-9457-2506; [email:](email: Marc.Mimler@city.ac.uk)[ ](email: Marc.Mimler@city.ac.uk)[Marc.Mimler@city.ac.uk](email: Marc.Mimler@city.ac.uk) Abstract Japanese video games have become a significant segment of the global entertainment and media industry, while also serving as a defining element of Japanese popular culture enjoyed worldwide. Many of the industry's key technological advancements have been driven by Japanese companies, and numerous iconic video game franchises trace their origins to Japan. Notably, these games are often integrated into a broader media mix strategy, in which publishers expand a single narrative across various media formats—such as anime, manga, and video games—featuring shared characters and immersive fictional w

FAQs

What is the central idea of the Japanese video game media mix discussed in the paper?

The paper explains how publishers expand a single narrative across multiple media formats—such as anime, manga, and video games—using shared characters and immersive worlds, often with related merchandise.

Why do fan communities matter for the popularity of the media mix?

It argues that passionate fan communities engage deeply with characters and universes, strengthening the cultural impact and popularity of the media mix.

What legal issue can arise from fan activities in this ecosystem?

Some fan practices may cross into intellectual property infringement, creating difficult decisions for publishers about whether to enforce their IP rights.

Aug 21, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai