Akerman served as legal counsel to NTT DOCOMO, INC., the service provider of MANGA MIRAI, in connection with the U.S. rollout of a digital manga platform that offers a wide range of manga titles for English-speaking audiences. The platform aims to provide an environment where anime and manga fans can explore the manga that inspired their favorite anime series and discover exciting new stories from the diverse world of Japanese storytelling.
MANGA MIRAI, developed by NTT DOCOMO in partnership with MyAnimeList Co., Ltd., Akatsuki Group, and MEDIA DO Co., Ltd., offers a vast library of over 11,000 volumes across more than 780 titles for English-speaking anime and comic fans. The platform features popular manga titles, including those adapted into anime series, as well as original manga and previously untranslated titles.
NTT DOCOMO is one of Japan's leading telecommunications companies. Leveraging its expertise in the entertainment sector, gained through providing video streaming services for anime, sports, and movies, NTT DOCOMO powers the platform behind MANGA MIRAI as the service provider.
Led by Japan Transactional Team Co-Leader Hiroshi Sarumida and Associate Asami Ono, the Akerman team advising NTT DOCOMO included:
- Eric Goldberg, Partner, Consumer Financial Services, Data and Technology (CFS+)
- Christy Hawkins, Partner, Consumer Financial Services, Data and Technology (CFS+)
- Felicia Nowels, Partner, Government Affairs and Public Policy
- Melissa Koch, Chair, Technology Transactions
- Mimi Lynham, Associate, Consumer Financial Services, Data and Technology (CFS+)
The team provided strategic legal guidance on a range of matters critical to the platform’s successful launch and operations, including corporate structuring, service agreements, and various aspects of regulatory compliance, such as privacy and data protection, consumer financing, and advertisement.
About Akerman
Founded in 1920, Akerman is recognized as one of the country’s premier law firms, with more than 700 lawyers in 25 offices throughout the United States.
Links
MANGA MIRAI website: https://mangamirai.com
MANGA MIRAI Official X account: https://x.com/MANGAMIRAI_EN