AI avatar technology company Genies has entered a strategic partnership with King Records – the anime and music subsidiary of Kodansha, Japan’s largest publishing group – to turn the label’s manga IP into interactive AI companions.
The collaboration will begin with “Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle,” King Records’ original multimedia franchise that spans rap, character-led narrative, music, anime, manga and live events. All 21 of the franchise’s core characters are set to be reimagined as AI companions, giving fans a more immersive and personalized way to engage with them beyond simply watching or listening.
Each 3D character model and its range of expressions will be built and overseen by human creators to ensure the personality, look and story integrity of every character is preserved. AI is being deployed strictly to power the interactive dimension of the fan experience.
“Japan has long been the epicenter of character-driven storytelling, setting the global standard for how deeply fans connect with characters,” said Akash Nigam, CEO and founder of Genies. “At Genies, our avatar technology has the ability to transform legacy anime and manga IP into interactive, intelligent 3D characters – adapting across styles while maintaining the integrity and origins of these beloved characters. By partnering with King Records and Kodansha, we’re introducing new fan-first capabilities that redefine how their audiences connect with the characters they love.”
The deal arrives as “Hypnosis Mic” broadens its international footprint. The franchise released its debut feature film in Japan in February 2025 – an interactive theatrical experience in which fans voted in real time to shape the plot – shifting more than a million tickets locally. The film heads to the U.S. on Feb. 27, distributed by GKIDS in select Regal theaters across 15 markets.
“At King Records, we have always believed in the power of characters to form deep, lasting emotional connections with fans,” said Furukawa Kohei, president and CEO of King Records. “By partnering with Genies, we are extending our characters beyond traditional media into living, interactive experiences. This collaboration represents a new chapter in how King’s global IP ecosystem can evolve, engage, and build deeper relationships with fans around the world.”
For Genies, the deal represents a meaningful push into Japan, a market with a well-established culture of deep fan-character attachment. The company – which has raised $200 million from investors including Silverlake, Bond and Bob Iger – says its technology stack can now bring characters to life in a matter of days rather than weeks, while honoring the distinct visual style of each franchise.