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§ Private Profile · Singapore
Web3 technology company developing VTuber platforms, apps, and anime content production for global virtual creators and fans.
Founded in May 2022 by Shunsuke Oyu and Tatsuro Shimada, AnotherBall is a Singapore and Tokyo-based technology startup developing virtual entertainment platforms like the Avvy mobile app and the IZUMO Web3 network. The company provides digital creators with tools to generate custom 2D avatars in under one minute and monetize their anime-inspired content through decentralized blockchain infrastructure. Expanding its operations into commercial animation production, the firm recently acquired Studio Mayflower to integrate artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies into traditional media workflows. To date, the enterprise has raised a total of $14,800,000 in funding, which includes a $12,700,000 seed round backed by prominent institutional investors such as ANRI, Hashed, and Global Brain. This growing venture is additionally supported by early angel investments from Crunchyroll founder Kun Gao to help bring Japanese cultural assets to global audiences.
AnotherBall has raised $14.9M across 2 funding rounds.
AnotherBall has raised $14.9M in total across 2 funding rounds.
AnotherBall has raised $14.9M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $12.7M Seed in November 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27, 2023 | $12.7M Seed | ANRI, Baek Kyoum KIM | KUN GAO, Emoote, Ethereal Ventures, Everyrealm, Global Brain, HashKey Capital, Sfermion | Announced |
| May 17, 2023 | $2.2M Venture Round | Hiroaki Kitano, Jaynti Kanani, Justin Waldron, Kevin Aluwi, Kevin LIN, RAY Rehito Hatoyama, Richard MA, Shintaro Yamada, Sota Watanabe, Suji YAN, Yusuke Obinata, Zeneca | — | Announced |
AnotherBall has raised $14.9M in total across 2 funding rounds.
AnotherBall's investors include ANRI, Baek Kyoum Kim, Kun Gao, Emoote, Ethereal Ventures, Everyrealm, Global Brain, HashKey Capital, Sfermion, Hiroaki Kitano, Jaynti Kanani, Justin Waldron.
AnotherBall is a Singapore-based entertainment startup founded in 2022, specializing in virtual entertainment by leveraging Japan's anime and VTuber culture through innovative technology, including the VTuber project IZUMO and the mobile streaming app AniLive.[1][2][3][4] The company builds products like IZUMO, a decentralized application (dApp) ecosystem empowering anime, manga, gaming, and VTubing creators, and AniLive, aimed at revolutionizing virtual streaming for global fans.[1][2] It serves otaku communities worldwide, solving the need for accessible, fun, and innovative virtual content by combining cultural assets with cutting-edge tech in a fully remote, English-speaking environment.[1][5]
Backed by $12.7M in seed funding (totaling over $14.8M) from investors like Global Brain, AnotherBall demonstrates strong growth momentum through successful founder exits and rapid project launches.[3][4]
AnotherBall Pte. Ltd. was established in May 2022 in Singapore by founders Shunsuke Oyu (alias "Captain") and "Ramen," both serial entrepreneurs with prior successful exits to major firms like SONY and KDDI.[1][4] The idea emerged from their passion for otaku culture—anime, manga, and VTubers—driving them to create global virtual entertainment content with an international mindset, adopting English as the official company language despite Japanese roots.[1] Early traction came swiftly with the launch of IZUMO, a groundbreaking VTuber project that attracted investment from Global Brain in November 2023, followed by substantial seed funding, marking pivotal moments in scaling their vision.[3][4]
AnotherBall rides the surging global VTuber and anime wave, amplified by Web3 trends like decentralized apps (dApps), which empower creators in gaming and virtual entertainment amid rising demand for interactive, fan-owned content.[2] Timing is ideal as VTubing grows exponentially—fueled by platforms like YouTube and Twitch—while blockchain enables monetization and community ownership, countering centralized streaming limitations.[1][3] Market forces favoring Japan’s cultural exports (anime market projected multibillion growth) and remote work trends support its model, influencing the ecosystem by globalizing otaku content and bridging traditional entertainment with crypto innovation.[1][2][5]
AnotherBall is poised to expand IZUMO’s dApp ecosystem and AniLive’s user base, potentially dominating virtual streaming with Web3 integrations amid VTuber market expansion.[1][2] Trends like AI-driven avatars, blockchain IP ownership, and global anime fandom will shape its path, evolving its influence from niche startup to key player in decentralized entertainment. This builds on its founder-driven momentum, promising more fun, fan-centric disruptions in the global otaku space.[1][4]