Protecting the worldview of the work,
My job is to commercialize that appeal.
Rights sales (license supervision/product planning)
Director, Game Business Division, Rights Business Department
Seiichiro Okawara
Okawara changed jobs from a video production company and joined Coremix's rights division in 2021. ``I was worried about starting work in the licensing business, which is a different industry than what I was used to,'' he says. We asked him about his motivation for joining the company and the initiatives he is undertaking at the Rights Division.
Why I wanted to become a core mixer
Before joining the company, I worked at a video production company and produced TV commercials. While I was working at that company, I had the opportunity to work with my current boss on the production of a commercial for Monthly Comic Zenon. While working with him as a business partner, he approached me, and I changed jobs to Coremix at the age of 32.
When I was working with them, they were always quick to respond and the work progressed smoothly, so I had the impression that there was a good atmosphere within the company and that it was a comfortable work environment. When I actually joined the company, I remember being surprised at how much more open the company was than I had imagined, and how quickly everything went from deciding to do something to executing it.
My motivation for joining Coremix was because I was attracted to the breadth and future potential of Coremix's copyright business. Since we are in the manga copyright business, we have a wide scope of work to do. In the visual field where I can put my experience to use, there are live-action films, animation, games, and gaming machines, and there are also goods. Furthermore, I was attracted to the fact that products derived from manga could be developed not only in Japan but also around the world.
However, since I joined the company mid-career, I was worried about whether I would be able to put my experience to work immediately and whether I would be able to manage interpersonal relationships. However, I was encouraged by the fact that I was able to work in the same department as a superior and subordinate to the person who invited me to Coremix. I felt a great sense of security knowing that I had senior colleagues nearby who I could talk to if I had a problem, and who I could learn ideas and know-how from.
Also, although there were situations where I could make use of the knowledge I had gained through video production, I had no experience in the business of handling copyrights, so I was very nervous about trying something new. However, as I continued to practice, this problem gradually disappeared. Looking back now, I realize that the members around me took the initiative to show me work examples, gave me subtle advice, and supported me in various ways.
Rights Division work
The operations of the Rights Division are involved in everything from project inception to planning, negotiation of conditions, contract conclusion, supervision, promotion, etc. in the secondary development of works until release. For things that will be operated over a long period of time, such as smartphone games, we will continue to be involved even after release. In addition, this is a department that works on anything that can help promote the work, such as disseminating information on the work's official SNS and website (lol).
The main duties of the Rights Division include supervision.
Supervision is the part of my job that takes up the most time. Supervision literally means overseeing how the work is presented.
While holding repeated meetings with the writer and editorial department, we seek expressions that preserve the worldview and character of the original work, and further convey the appeal of the work. There are various ways to display it depending on the target, such as games or goods.
Sometimes I take on a challenge while listening to the writer's opinion, asking, ``Isn't there a possibility like this?'' I believe that supervision is about making suggestions that are good for both the product and the work.
Although this is not a product I am responsible for, I recently received a compliment from a business partner who supervised goods related to Fist of the North Star, saying, ``Coamix's supervision is aggressive in a good way.'' I am happy that our business partners have praised our attitude of taking on challenges in terms of supervision.
Additionally, managing the copyrights of famous works is also important for Coremix's licensing business. Since we receive requests for various types of secondary use, I feel it is extremely meaningful for employees to learn about the rights business. However, the scope of development is very wide, so it is important to always keep your antennas open in various places.
In order to carry out my work, it is a prerequisite that I have thoroughly read and understood the original work, so I reread the work many times.
There are manga of various genres, so I think it's important to read the original work with an unbiased and calm eye so as not to be biased by your own tastes. I sometimes read it while thinking about why this work is so interesting. By doing so, you will deepen your understanding and come up with an attractive way to present your work.
My daily work schedule starts at 10:18am, holds internal meetings and supervision, meetings with business partners, etc., and ends at 7:1pm. I work in the Game Business Division of the Rights Division, so my main focus is on games and gaming machines. We can handle video, audio, illustrations, scenarios, character movements in games, promotional materials, etc. At a video production company, I understand the feelings of my business partners, so I try to respond as quickly as possible and try to keep the overall process moving. Also, Coremix has a XNUMX-hour working day, which is one hour less than a typical company, but I feel like I can work more efficiently and concentrate because I'm not lazy.
The charm of Kichijoji and club activities within the company
I think the good thing about having a company in Kichijoji is that it's also a residential area, so it's easy to live close to work. The Chuo Line and Inokashira Line run through it, so many people live in stations not far from Kichijoji. I myself moved to the Inokashira Line when I changed jobs. Now, I can come to work by bicycle in about 10 minutes. My previous workplace was located in the city center, and I was exhausted from the daily rush hour, so I'm glad to be freed from that.
Coremix has several club activities that only those who wish to participate can participate in. I like to be physically active, so when I heard that the company was starting a baseball club, I decided to join. It's an opportunity for me to interact with members of departments that I don't normally get to interact with in my work, and although participation is free, there's also a post-game reception and a year-end party, so I get to see a different side of everyone from what I see at work. This is also a great place for communication.
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[Experienced candidates wanted]
Rights sales (license supervision/product planning)
Admission Information
[Specific business content] Our company, which develops publishing and character content businesses such as Fist of the North Star, City Hunter, and Record of Ragnarok, is looking for someone to handle all aspects of copyright management for productions using our works and characters. This includes supervising productions (checking for any issues with the content, etc.). This is a crucial step in bringing the worldview and character traits of the works to the world and creating even more appealing products. You will be responsible for licensing operations related to Zenon and Legend works (primarily focusing on merchandising). 1. Business negotiation (sales activities to licensees (existing and new), and responding to inquiries from licensees) 2. Contract signing (negotiating and adjusting terms for contract signing) 3. Product supervision (quality control, reporting to and confirming with the editorial department and authors) General administrative work related to the above Work location: Prefas Kichijoji Front 5th floor (1-405-686 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo) Relocation: None for the time being Salary: Estimated annual income: 2 yen to 00 yen Monthly salary: 290,000 yen to 491,000 yen Monthly (basic salary): 235,000 yen to 446,000 yen *Fixed salary Overtime allowance: Those eligible for overtime pay will receive 50,000 yen or more per month for 20 hours (overtime pay for hours exceeding this will be paid additionally) *The estimated annual income is only an estimate and may fluctuate during the selection process. Further details will be determined after the interview, taking into account your experience, skills, and current salary. ■Salary revision: Once a year ■Bonus: Twice a year (Summer: Individual performance, Winter: Company performance *Summer bonus is paid according to the previous year's evaluation, so there is no summer bonus in the first year) Salary revision: Yes Working hours: Working hours classification: Flextime system Core time: Yes 12:00-16:00, Flexible time: Yes 8:00-12:00, 16:00-20:00 Standard working hours: 10:00-18:00 Break: 60 minutes Overtime work: Yes Holidays and leave: Annual holidays: 125 days Holiday and leave type: Complete two-day weekend (Saturday and Sunday), 10-20 days of annual paid leave (number of days granted varies depending on the month of joining), Summer holidays (2 days), Year-end and New Year holidays (7 days), Annual paid leave (10 days in the first year *may vary depending on the month of joining), Bereavement leave Probationary period: Yes (Duration: 3 months) Employment contract: Regular employee (no fixed term) Application Requirements: (Required) 3+ years of licensing or marketing experience in the entertainment industry (publishing, animation, games, merchandising, distribution, movies, etc.) *If you do not meet the above requirements, please apply under the entry-level category. (Preferred) Business-level language skills (any language), practical experience using any foreign language (email, business negotiations, etc.), ability to communicate smoothly in a multilingual environment *Even if you do not currently have work experience, we welcome applicants who are eager to learn multiple languages and willing to put in the effort. We are looking for someone who is highly curious and can actively absorb information. Someone who can enjoy the process of overcoming language barriers and expanding sales channels globally. If you have a strong interest in entertainment content, please apply.
[Entry-level positions available]
Rights sales (license supervision/product planning)
Admission Information
[Specific business content] Our company, which develops publishing and character content businesses such as Fist of the North Star, City Hunter, and Record of Ragnarok, is looking for someone to handle all aspects of copyright management for productions using our works and characters. This includes supervising productions (checking that the content is satisfactory). This is a crucial process in order to bring the worldview and character traits of the works to the world and create even more appealing products. You will be responsible for licensing operations related to Zenon and Legend works (all licensing operations, primarily focused on merchandise). 1. Business negotiation (sales activities to licensees (existing and new), and responding to inquiries from licensees) 2. Contract signing (negotiating and adjusting terms for contract signing) 3. Product supervision (quality control, reporting to and confirming with the editorial department and authors) General administrative work related to the above Work location: Prefas Kichijoji Front 5th floor (1-363-382 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo) Relocation: None for the time being Salary: Estimated annual salary: 2 yen to 00 yen Monthly salary: 260,000 yen to 273,500 yen Monthly (basic salary): 205,000 yen to 218,500 yen *Fixed salary Overtime allowance is paid at 50,000 yen or more per month for 20 hours of overtime work. Overtime pay for hours exceeding this will be paid additionally. *The estimated annual salary is only an estimate and may fluctuate during the selection process. Details will be determined after the interview, taking into account experience, abilities, and current annual salary. ■Salary revision: Once a year ■Bonus: Twice a year (Summer: Individual performance, Winter: Company performance *Summer bonus is paid according to the previous year's evaluation, so there is no summer bonus in the first year) Salary revision: Yes Working hours: Working hours classification: Flextime system Core time: Yes 12:00-16:00, Flexible time: Yes 8:00-12:00, 16:00-20:00 Standard working hours: 10:00-18:00 Break: 60 minutes Overtime work: Yes Holidays and leave: Annual holidays: 125 days Holiday and leave type: Complete two-day weekend (Saturday and Sunday), 10-20 days of annual paid leave (number of days granted varies depending on the month of joining), Summer holidays (2 days), Year-end and New Year holidays (7 days), Annual paid leave (10 days in the first year *may vary depending on the month of joining), Bereavement leave Probationary period: Yes (Duration: 3 months) Employment contract: Regular employee (no fixed term) Application Requirements: (Required) At least one year of professional work experience, willingness to engage in internal and external negotiations. (Preferred) At least one year of sales experience, experience in planning and proposals, experience in licensing work, business-level language skills (any language), practical experience using any foreign language (email, business negotiations, etc.), ability to communicate smoothly in a multilingual environment. *Even if you do not currently have work experience, we welcome applicants who are eager to learn multiple languages and willing to put in the effort. We are looking for people who are highly curious, can actively absorb information, and enjoy the process of overcoming language barriers and expanding sales channels globally. If you have a strong interest in entertainment content, please apply.