King Features Takes Japan in 2019

Licensing agreements in the region are brokered via King feature’s agent, Copyrights Asia.

King Features introduced its Popeye program in Japan in 2018 and had since partnered with brands such as Dickies, New Era and A Bathing Ape to celebrate the Sailor Man. Popeye’s 90th anniversary and Olive Oyl’s 100th-anniversary celebration next year will see King features look for new partners across various categories. Tokyo-based Magazine House will develop and upcoming Olive Project.

Japanese men have recently taken an interest in the Betty Boop property, leading to collaborations with A Bathing Ape, FILA and Castelbajac, Vanson Leathers, Dickies, Skullworks & Co., Low Blow Knuckle, Indian Motorcycle and Red Pepper Jeans. In October, Tokimeki Rule offered fans a chance to personalize their images using digital Betty Boop stickers. At photo booths around Japan.

“Popeye and Betty Boop continue to be an inspiration for fashion-forward brands around the world, but no country has embraced these iconic characters as strongly as Japan,” says Carla Silva, vice president and general manager, global head, licensing. King Features. “As we head into 2019, we are excited to continue developing unique and trendy collaborations for these classic characters with more of Japan’s hottest brands.”