City Research Online

Abstract

Japanese video games have become a significant segment of the global entertainment and media industry, while also serving as a defining element of Japanese popular culture enjoyed worldwide. Many of the industry's key technological advancements have been driven by Japanese companies, and numerous iconic video game franchises trace their origins to Japan. Notably, these games are often integrated into a broader media mix strategy, in which publishers expand a single narrative across various media formats—such as anime, manga, and video games—featuring shared characters and immersive fictional worlds, often accompanied by related merchandise.
A major part of the appeal lies in the passionate fan communities that engage deeply with these characters and universes. Like other forms of cultural production, video games foster vibrant fan activity, which plays a crucial role in enhancing the popularity and cultural impact of the media mix. However, some of these fan practices can raise legal concerns from the perspective of intellectual property (IP) rights. Certain forms of fan engagement may cross into infringement, placing publishers in the difficult position of deciding whether or not to enforce their IP rights. In practice, Japanese publishers have often been reluctant to take legal action against fans. This paper explores the Japanese video game media mix, its associated fan cultures, and the complex IP considerations that arise from this dynamic ecosystem.

Publication Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Additional Information:	Copyright 2025, the author.
Publisher Keywords:	Video games, Japan, fan culture, Otaku, Intellectual Property, media mix
Subjects:	K Law > K Law (General)
Departments:	The City Law School The City Law School > Academic Programmes The City Law School > CLS Working Paper Series
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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