Anime airline and transit licensing guide: how anime reaches planes and trains
Anime-themed jets and wrapped trains are high-visibility marketing tools, but every exterior graphic and safety video frame requires a licensing agreement.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Anime airline and transit licensing grants a carrier or transit operator the right to use characters, artwork, music, and trademarks on vehicles, stations, and in-flight content. In March 2023, ANA launched two Pokemon-themed jets, the Pikachu Jet NH and Eevee Jet NH, on international routes, followed by a Pokemon Air Adventures in-flight safety video in August 2024. On rail, JR West ran the Evangelion-themed 500 Type Eva Shinkansen on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line from fall 2015 through March 2017.
What transit and airline anime licenses cover
A transit anime license covers far more than a single sticker. It includes character artwork on vehicle exteriors and interiors, branded signage at stations or airports, in-flight safety videos, crew uniforms, merchandise, and promotional campaigns. The rights holder retains approval over how the IP is portrayed, especially when safety or public spaces are involved.
For airlines, the license must also fit within aviation regulations. The Pokemon Company notes that the ANA Pokemon in-flight safety video, launched in August 2024, was required to follow guidelines issued by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism while balancing those rules with playful Pokemon participation.
Airline case study: ANA and Pokemon Air Adventures
ANA's Pokemon collaboration is one of the most visible anime airline partnerships. The Pokemon Company corporate site states that in March 2023, ANA introduced two Pokemon-themed jets with liveries designed especially for the airline: the Pikachu Jet NH and Eevee Jet NH, both placed on international routes. ANA's Pikachu Jet page shows that the Pikachu Jet NH Boeing 787-9 features Rayquaza across the fuselage alongside Charizard, Latias, Latios, Vivillon, and Pikachu.
The partnership extended beyond the fuselage. In August 2024, ANA and The Pokemon Company launched an in-flight safety video and a special disembarkation video following Pikachu's airport journey. These assets required separate or additional licensing for filmed content, music, and character appearances.
Key components of the ANA Pokemon Air Adventures licensing program. Source: The Pokemon Company and ANA official pages.| Element | ANA Pokemon example |
|---|
| Aircraft livery | Pikachu Jet NH and Eevee Jet NH, launched March 2023 |
| In-flight video | Pokemon Air Adventures safety video, August 2024 |
| Characters | Rayquaza, Charizard, Latias, Latios, Vivillon, Pikachu |
| Regulatory layer | Japan MLIT safety-video guidelines |
| Territory | International routes from Japan |
Rail case study: JR West Evangelion Shinkansen
JR West's Evangelion Shinkansen shows how rail operators license anime for wrapped trains. Japan Today reported in 2015 that JR West and the Evangelion rights holders teamed up to mark the 20th anniversary of the TV broadcast and the 40th anniversary of the Sanyo Shinkansen Line. Creator Hideaki Anno and mechanical designer Ikuto Yamashita designed the 500 Type Eva, a 500 Series Shinkansen styled after Evangelion Unit-01.
The train ran as the Kodama 730 from Hakata to Shin-Osaka in the morning and the Kodama 741 on the return trip. The collaboration included themed interiors and merchandise. Service was scheduled from fall 2015 through March 2017. This type of deal typically licenses the character design, color scheme, and logos for a defined route and period.
Who holds and grants the rights
The rights holder is usually the production committee, the original publisher, or a dedicated IP management company. For Pokemon, The Pokemon Company controls the brand. For Evangelion, khara holds the copyright. The carrier or transit operator negotiates a license that specifies the vehicles, routes, duration, and categories of use.
Because these are regulated industries, the license also interacts with operator contracts, government approvals, and insurance requirements. The anime licensor generally does not operate the vehicle; it provides creative assets and approval while the transit operator handles execution.
What to expect in a transit anime license
A typical transit anime license defines the territory as specific routes or stations, the term as a fixed window tied to a campaign or anniversary, and the media as exterior wraps, interior panels, videos, and merchandise. The fee structure is rarely disclosed and may combine a flat license fee with a revenue share on branded merchandise.
The public visibility of these deals makes them attractive for both parties: the carrier gets media coverage and passenger engagement, while the rights holder gets brand exposure and a new merchandise channel. The main risk is brand damage if the execution is poor or if a safety incident occurs on a branded vehicle, which is why approval rights are tightly held.
Frequently asked questions
Who grants anime airline and train licenses?
The IP holder, such as The Pokemon Company for Pokemon or khara for Evangelion, grants the license to the airline or rail operator. The operator then applies the branding within the terms of the agreement.
Can an airline use anime in safety videos?
Yes, but it requires licensing and must still meet aviation safety regulations. ANA's Pokemon Air Adventures safety video followed Japan's MLIT guidelines while featuring Pokemon characters.
How long do anime train wrap licenses last?
They are usually fixed-term. The JR West Evangelion Shinkansen ran from fall 2015 through March 2017 on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line.
Are anime transit license fees public?
No. Public sources describe the partnerships and visible assets, but fees, guarantees, and revenue splits are confidential.
Sources and methodology
- Take to the Skies, Safely, with Pokémon, The Pokemon Company. Corporate topics page dated January 2025 describing ANA's two Pokemon-themed jets launched March 2023 and the August 2024 in-flight safety video.
- Pikachu Jet NH, All Nippon Airways. Official ANA page showing the Pikachu Jet NH Boeing 787-9 livery and character design details.
- All aboard the Evangelion Shinkansen, Japan Today. Travel feature from August 2015 on the JR West 500 Type Eva Shinkansen, route, schedule, and service window.