TV Tokyo Appoints Reemsborko as its UK licensing agency for three properties, including Naruto

By John Freeman on December 22, 2022

Sheffield-based Reemsborko has been appointed as the UK licensing agency for Naruto, Naruto Shippuden and Boruto by TV TOKYO Corporation to grow the consumer products business in the UK.

Naruto – the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who seeks recognition from his peers and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the leader of his village. The animé series began airing in the UK in 2006.

Naruto Shippuden is the sequel to the original Naruto animé with five hundred episodes, in which the protagonist is in his adolescence. It streams in most major territories.

Boruto – is the current sequel to Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, following the exploits of his son, Boruto Uzumaki, and his ninja teammates.

These are together now widely acknowledged as one of the most important and beloved animés ever created

Reemsborko’s role will be to partner with TV TOKYO on creating a strategic plan for the UK, to sign and manage licensees across general merchandise and promotions.

“We are excited to work on these premier league animés and to bring them to the licensees that will create the products the fans love,” commented Max Arguile, MD at Reemsborko. “With the rising trend in manga and animé, the timing is perfect.

“These brands will extend into merchandise, promotions and experiences with the best partners in the business – interest is certain to be significant and though there are many licensees already in place, we are actively seeking partners in a number of categories”

Hiroaki Saiki, Head of Global Distribution at TV TOKYO commented:
“TV Tokyo is pleased to sign Reemsborko in order to continue building our presence in Europe. Reemsborko is a great match as they have a solid reputation for handling animé properties with care, love and an entrepreneurial spirit. We look forward to growth in the UK under this partnership.”

Reemsborko is a UK licensing agency with a global footprint, Reemsborko was founded in 2018, specifically to focus on the most interesting IP out there. If it’s cool and unusual, then we want in. Everyone is a fan of something – it is our job to connect the fans to that thing they love, through great products sold in the most appropriate retailer, be that bricks and mortar or online.

Reemsborko brings 25 year’s worth of experience at the coal-face of licensing, as a licensee, consultant and now agent. With a fan-centric approach, the agency’s focus is to build strategic brand extensions that secure mutually beneficial long-term success for its partners, and beyond.

TV TOKYO Corporation is a Tokyo, Japan-based free-to-air broadcaster and nationwide network operator with particular strength in programming for children and young adults. Its portfolio for global distribution includes the Naruto franchise which boasts over 1000 half-hour episodes and eleven feature films, Bleach, Black Clover and Fruits Basket, among others.

• To learn more about Reemsborko, visit www.reemsborko.com | For licensing and merchandise enquiries, please email max@reemsborko.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.