August 25, 2025, Tokyo (Japan) | Visual Bank Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo; Representative Director, Saneyuki Nagai) has raised 1.1 billion yen in equity financing through its Series B round. The round was led by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital, with participation from CDIB Cross Border Innovation Fund, Incubate Fund, Aozora Corporate Investment, SMBC Venture Capital, W fund, and others.
The Purpose for the Series B Round
Guided by its founding philosophy of being the “Behind-the-Scenes Supporters of Creativity”, Visual Bank has set its sights on becoming an “IP x AI Enabler”, bridging the worlds of intellectual property (IP), such as manga and anime, with the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI).
With this new round of funding, the company is preparing to take the next step in its journey: strengthening its role as a hub where new value is created and real challenges are solved at the intersection of IP and AI. In doing so, Visual Bank aims to contribute to the growth and global competitiveness of Japan’s Creative industry.
The funds will be directed toward specific initiatives such as:
Accelerating the Growth of THE PEN (IP x AI) Business
THE PEN Inc., a subsidiary of Visual Bank, develops AI-powered tools designed to support manga creators’ desire to “draw more” (1). Our next step will be to accelerate product development and enhance its offerings to better serve creative professionals at scale.(1) Press release regarding on the founding of THE PEN Inc. as an AI-assisted tool provider supporting manga creators’ desire to “draw more,” (Japanese Only)ー漫画家の「もっと描きたい！」をサポートする「THE PEN株式会社」を設立
Strengthening and Expanding IP x AI Services on the Foundation of the Next-Generation Data Library
As part of Japan’s “GENIAC” project (2), supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Visual Bank is developing a specialized data library to advance AI in Japan’s IP industry. We will expand Visual Bank Group’s IP × AI services on the foundation of the Next-Generation Data Library, with investments in strategic M&A and recruiting talents
(2) Press release regarding Visual Bank Inc., selected for Japan’s GENIAC Project to strengthen domestic generative AI development, supported by METI and NEDO (Japanese only)ーVisual Bank、経産省およびNEDOによる国内生成AIの開発力強化プロジェクト「GENIAC」に採択
Visual Bank’s Path and Future Vision
Visual Bank Inc., was established in April 2022 through Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), by acquiring 100% shares of amana images Inc., one of Japan’s largest and most trusted visual content company with more than 40 years of history (3). By adopting M&A as its entry point, the company stepped into the IP industry from day one as a trusted leader with a proven track record.
(3) Press release on the establishment of Visual Bank Inc. and its 2.1B yen (14.5M USD) fundraising(Japanese only)ー『Visual Bank』創業、総額21億円の資金調達を実施
Building on the foundation of amana images Inc., one of Japan’s largest visual content management and distribution businesses, Visual Bank launched the Qlean Dataset initiative to develop and provide datasets for AI training. Through these initiatives, the company has steadily advanced its expertise in rights management, data structuring technologies for AI, and large-scale, high-quality data management.
Leveraging these strengths, Visual Bank went on to establish a joint venture with Yohei Sadoshima, Representative Director of Cork Inc., and Takayuki Fukatsu, Representative Director of THE GUILD Inc., launching THE PEN Inc., an IP x AI business.
In the Japanese IP industry that continues to grow yet faces persistent structural challenges, Visual Bank aims to serve as an “IP x AI Enabler.” The company is committed to supporting the healthy development of Japan’s intellectual property and advanced technologies through initiatives such as the Next-Generation Data library and the THE PEN business.
Visual Bank Business Domains
Visual Library Business | Japan’s Largest Stock Photo Services
Building on the 40-year legacy of amana images, a trusted and secure visual content provider, this business delivers rights-cleared, high-quality visual content to leading companies in advertising, publishing, education, journalism, and other industries.
Official website:https://amanaimages.com/home.aspx
Qlean Dataset Business | Development and Provision of Rights-Cleared AI Training Datasets
Qlean Dataset designs and builds AI training datasets tailored to corporate development needs, using images, video, and audio. Managing the entire process from annotation to structuring, the business provides fully rights-cleared datasets that ensure both efficiency and quality in AI development.
Official website:https://qleandataset.visual-bank.co.jp/
THE PEN (IP x AI) Business | Development and Provision of AI-Assisted Drawing Tools
THE PEN develops AI-assisted tools to support manga creators in their desire to “draw more.” Built with a deep understanding of creative workflows, these tools help artists maintain their unique style and expression while enhancing productivity throughout the creative process.
Official website:https://www.thepen.co.jp/
Comments from Stakeholders
Fumitaka Iizuka, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Visual Bank Inc.
Our Series B marks a turning point. The path we have believed in and pursued is now entering its next phase.
In an era where IP and AI increasingly intersect, addressing the contexts of rights and creation head-on is far more complex and time-consuming than many can imagine. From the beginning, Visual Bank chose to confront these challenges directly, striving to understand the structures in detail and to tackle them as a business.
From our founding through M&A to the launch of our joint venture, we have consistently pursued strategies rooted in capital and in building businesses that move beyond conventional frameworks. This stance will not change. When necessary, we are prepared to step outside norms and precedents to shape a better industry.
On a personal note, as a child growing up abroad without knowing the local language, I often felt isolated. Japanese IP content became my companion and helped me overcome that loneliness. That experience gave me a deep respect and gratitude for creators.
Through Visual Bank’s initiatives, I hope to give back and ensure that Japanese IP and creativity continue to inspire people across generations and across borders.
Takuya Shimazaki, Manager, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital Co., Ltd
It is an honor to participate in Visual Bank’s Series B round.
Since the previous round, we have been impressed by the founders, Mr. Nagai and Mr. Iizuka, for their rare ability to both untangle the complex issues between generative AI and creators with a broader vision, and at the same time dive deep into the realities of creators to steadily deliver product development.
With an approach that emphasizes AI assistance without dependency, the “Human-in-the-loop” manga assistance business ensures that technology enhances the creative process without replacing it. The business empowers manga artists to preserve their unique style, expand their expressive potential, and pursue their passion to “draw more!” while also contributing to the growth of the IP industry.
Together, we are committed to taking on this bold challenge of maximizing the value of Japan’s creative works as the “Behind-the-Scenes Supporters of Creativity”.
Ryan Kuo, Managing Director, CDIB Cross Border Innovation Fund (CCBI)
CCBI is truly honored to participate in Visual Bank’s Series B funding round.
We place great value on the specialized expertise required for “IP x AI,” the strong execution capabilities of the leadership team, and the rising importance of rights-cleared datasets in the era of generative AI.
CCBI is a fund jointly operated by the Cool Japan Fund and CDIB Capital Group, one of Taiwan’s leading venture capital firms. By leveraging our extensive networks in Japan, Taiwan, and beyond, we will strongly support Visual Bank’s global growth.
Keisuke Wada, General Partner, Incubate Fund
At Incubate Fund, we resonated deeply with Visual Bank’s philosophy of being the “Behind-the-Scenes Supporters of Creativity” even before the company was founded.
From its unique first step of launching through M&A, to its determination to tackle the structural challenges of the IP industry head-on while steadily building its business on the pillars of technology and data, we recognized both conviction and execution at the highest level. Visual Bank’s mission to lay new foundations for Japan’s creative industries goes far beyond corporate growth. It is an effort to shape the very future of the industry.
Incubate Fund will continue to stand side by side with Visual Bank, supporting its fearless pursuit of empowering creators and embracing change.
Akifumi Kubo, CEO, Aozora Corporate Investment
We are honored to support Visual Bank in this round.
We greatly value the company’s unique approach to creating and utilizing high-quality, rights-cleared visual data, a field where demand is rapidly accelerating with the rise of generative AI.
Looking ahead, we will continue to provide comprehensive support as Visual Bank expands, driven by its strong development capabilities, the solid leadership of CEO Mr. Nagai and Executive Director Mr. Iizuka, and a highly scalable growth model.
Hayato Magome, Deputy General Manager, 4th Investment Division, SMBC Venture Capital Co., Ltd.
We see Visual Bank taking on a highly meaningful challenge by leveraging its business assets to create new value through “IP x AI,” positioning itself as the Behind-the-Scenes Supporters of Creativity.
We recognize that this challenge is complex and time-intensive, but with Mr. Nagai, Mr. Iizuka, and their outstanding team at the center, we truly believe they will bring together diverse stakeholders and realize a world where the value of Japanese creative works is maximized and optimized.
By leveraging the resources of the SMBC Group, we are committed to supporting this endeavor to the fullest extent possible.
Akihiro Higashi, General Partner, W fund
We are very pleased to make an additional investment in Visual Bank.
Since its founding, the company has remained true to its mission of supporting Japan’s world-class IP and creativity from behind the scenes, a mission we believe holds great significance. As the AI era accelerates and the industry undergoes rapid change, we are confident that Visual Bank will play a vital role in shaping the future of Japan’s creative industries.
W fund will continue to fully support the company on its journey.
Talent Recruitment
At Visual Bank Inc., we are strengthening recruitment across diverse fields, including business, academia, the creative industries, and professional services.
In today’s rapidly changing society, creating value with both flexibility and strategy requires broad perspectives and deep expertise. At the intersection of IP and AI, we are looking for teammates who are ready to take on challenges and drive meaningful solutions.
For recruitment inquiries and applications, please visit:
https://visual-bank.co.jp/recruit
Company Overview
Company Name: Visual Bank Inc.
Established: April 2022
Subsidiaries／Affiliates:
- amana images Inc.
- THE PEN Inc.
Official Website: https://visual-bank.co.jp/
Contact
Visual Bank Inc., PR Team
publicrelations@visual-bank.co.jp
