Yasuo Matsuo, the founder of Cloverway—the licensing agency that brought Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, and Saint Seiya to international audiences—has launched a new venture called IP Bay. The global production studio aims to connect Japanese publishers and authors with international filmmakers and producers interested in adapting their work.

IP Bay operates from four strategic locations: Hyogo and Tokyo in Japan, plus New York and Los Angeles in the US. The company made its official debut at the Cannes Film Market in May, where it also launched its website.

The studio functions as a bridge between Japan's publishing industry and global entertainment markets. On the Japanese side, the team works directly with publishers and authors to identify properties ripe for adaptation. The Hollywood division handles packaging, financing, and production partnerships. IP Bay leverages Japan's 50% production cash rebate to attract international partners, making productions more financially feasible.

Matsuo serves as Chairman, while his son Jun Matsuo takes the role of CEO, overseeing publisher relationships, title selection, and legal operations. Film producer Frankie Seratch co-founded the company and leads US operations. The team also includes Shinji Sakamoto, an advisor with ties to Japan's Cool Japan Initiative and connections to the Osaka Film Commission.

IP Bay's scope extends beyond just anime. The studio focuses on "adaptations of Japanese literature" across multiple genres, positioning itself to represent a broader range of intellectual property than traditional anime producers. This includes connecting foreign producers to Japanese creators, structuring international co-development deals, and supporting foreign studios entering the Japanese market.

Matsuo brings decades of industry experience to the venture. During his time at Cloverway, he served as Toei Animation's official representative in the Americas and worked with major publishers including Shueisha, Shogakukan, and Tezuka Productions. He also oversaw the production of English-language adaptations for Sailor Moon S and Sailor Moon Super S.

With IP Bay, Matsuo is positioning himself to capitalize on growing international interest in Japanese storytelling, from manga and light novels to classic literature, at a time when Hollywood studios are increasingly seeking unique source material.