Anime mobile game licensing guide: how IP becomes a gacha or RPG title
Mobile games are a major anime revenue channel, but the game license is its own agreement with its own rules and economics.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Anime mobile game licensing gives a game developer the right to use a property's characters, story, and artwork in a mobile game. These licenses are typically separate from streaming or merchandise rights and are controlled by the production committee, publisher, or a rights-holder such as a manga publisher. Crunchyroll Games publishes titles including My Hero Academia: The Strongest Hero and Street Fighter: Duel, and offers a Game Vault of mobile games to Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscribers in over 200 countries and territories. Toei Animation also lists games among its licensing categories.
What an anime mobile game license includes
A mobile game license covers the use of anime or manga IP in a game. That can include character designs, storylines, music, voice recordings, and the title itself. The licensor usually retains approval rights over how characters are used, monetization mechanics, and marketing materials.
These rights are distinct from streaming, merchandise, or publishing rights. A studio that holds animation rights does not automatically have the right to make a game. The game rights may be held by the manga publisher, the production committee, or a separate committee member.
How mobile game deals are structured
Anime mobile game licenses are usually structured around a license term, territory, revenue share, and minimum guarantee. The developer pays the licensor a share of in-game revenue, often with an upfront minimum guarantee. The licensor may also require milestone approvals during development.
Some deals are global, while others are limited to specific regions. Crunchyroll's Game Vault is available to subscribers in over 200 countries and territories, but individual games may still have region-specific licenses or servers.
Typical elements of an anime mobile game license.| Deal element | What it covers |
|---|
| IP rights | Characters, art, story, music, voices, title |
| Term | How long the game can operate using the IP |
| Territory | Countries where the game can be distributed |
| Revenue model | Royalty or revenue share on in-game spending |
| Approvals | Licensors sign off on art, mechanics, and marketing |
Who publishes anime mobile games
Rights-holders sometimes develop games internally, but more commonly they license to publishers. Crunchyroll Games has published titles such as My Hero Academia: The Strongest Hero, Street Fighter: Duel, and One Punch Man: World. Its Game Vault gives Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscribers access to curated mobile games without ads or in-app purchases.
Toei Animation lists games as one of its licensing categories alongside toys, stationery, and apparel. That indicates the studio licenses its major franchises, including Dragon Ball and One Piece, to mobile game publishers rather than handling every game itself.
Examples of anime mobile game licensing
A 2021 Licensing International article noted that My Hero Academia was licensed to A Plus Media for a mobile game that had more than 2.3 million downloads across Europe. This shows how a single property can have separate game licensees for different territories.
Crunchyroll's broader game strategy includes both free-to-download published titles and the subscriber-only Game Vault. The Game Vault launched with games such as Captain Velvet: The Jump+ Dimensions, River City Girls, Wolfstride, Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery, and Inbento.
No public price data: Mobile game license fees, revenue shares, and minimum guarantees are negotiated privately. Public figures are not available.
Risks and considerations
Mobile games tied to anime have finite license terms. When a license expires, the game may be removed from app stores and shut down. Players do not own the underlying IP, so access depends on the ongoing agreement.
Developers also face creative constraints. Licensors typically require approval of character portrayals, gacha mechanics, and monetization to protect the brand. These approvals can lengthen development timelines.
Frequently asked questions
Are anime mobile game rights separate from streaming rights?
Yes. Streaming rights and game rights are usually licensed separately, sometimes to different companies or committee members.
Who owns the rights to make an anime mobile game?
The production committee, manga publisher, or rights-holder controls game rights. They license them to a developer or publisher.
How do anime mobile game licenses make money?
Typically through a revenue share or royalty on in-game spending, sometimes with an upfront minimum guarantee. Public terms are not disclosed.
Can a mobile game keep running after the license ends?
Usually no. Once the license term expires or is not renewed, the game is often removed from stores and its servers shut down.