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GeeXPlus
Native name
株式会社GeeXPlus
Kabushikigaisha GeeXPlus
Company typeDivision
Industry
FoundedJuly 1, 2019; 6 years ago (2019-07-01) in Tokyo, Japan
FounderKadokawa Corporation
Headquarters
Gobanchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo
,
Japan
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
OwnerBookWalker (2019–2025)
Dwango (2025–present)
Websitewww.geexplus.co.jp

GeeXPlus Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社GeeXPlus, Hepburn: Kabushikigaisha GeeXPlus; also known as GeeX+) is a Japanese talent agency that manages overseas content creators. Founded in 2019 by the Kadokawa Corporation as a part of BookWalker, the company aims to connect Japanese brands with global influencers by supporting content production, promotion, and distribution. GeeXPlus is known for bringing international creators to Japan, including members of the Trash Taste podcast. In 2025, GeeXPlus became part of Dwango and launched GeeXProductions, a new division focused on producing creator-led projects such as anime, web series, and digital media.

History

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2019–2022: Foundation and early years

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The Anime Man, CDawgVA, and Gigguk during a Trash Taste live show in 2022.

GeeXPlus was established on July 1, 2019, as a talent agency division of Japanese conglomerate Kadokawa Corporation. Its goal was to connect Japanese brands with global influencers by helping with promotion planning, production, and distribution. The idea for GeeXPlus partly came from American director Meilyne Tran, who later became its chief operating officer, after the Japanese government announced plans to offer more working visas to non-Japanese people involved in promoting and producing Japanese content.[1] Before GeeXPlus was founded, Kadokawa's subsidiary BookWalker, which it initially was a subsidiary under, would have already been sponsoring video reviews of its manga and light novels, including starting a partnership with Garnt Maneetapho (known as Gigguk) in 2017.[2]

In October 2019, GeeXPlus invited three anime YouTubers to live in Japan and create content there: Garnt Maneetapho, Connor Colquhoun (CDawgVA), and Sydney Poniewaz (Sydsnap).[2] They joined other anime creators already living in Japan, such as Joey Bizinger (also known as The Anime Man) and Foxen Anime. In February 2020, Bizinger, Colquhoun, and Maneetapho started the podcast Trash Taste after Colquhoun and Maneetapho moved to Japan.[3]

2022–2025: Expansion

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In 2022, they signed gaming YouTuber TheGamingBeaver and helped him relocate to Japan.[4] In September of that year, they signed artists Emily Sim (Emirichu) and Daidus, helping them move to Japan after contacting Sim through Colquhoun.[5][6] They later helped find sponsors for their shared YouTube channel Spilled Ink after its creation a year later.[7] In August 2023, the company signed Onigiri, a Vtuber and cook, and helped her move to Japan.[8] In October 2023, GeeXPlus launched a global creator application program to find and support international talents, with the application process being made available through Google Forms.[9][10]

In October 2024, GeeXPlus announced that it had signed TikTok creator Kristine Fel (Kfel), marking the first time the company had partnered with a short-form content creator. That same month, it was also announced that Connor Colquhoun (CDawgVA) would join the company's board to help oversee production and guide its growth strategy.[11]

2025–present: Launch of GeeXProduction

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The GeeXPlus panel during Anime Expo 2025.

In February 2025, GeeXPlus was moved from under BookWalker to become part of Dwango after Kadokawa decided to merge BookWalker and Kadokawa Connected into Dwango, in response to the increasingly competitive market.[12] In June 2025, they signed Megan and Ben (also known as HitoBito), two are former English teachers from the JET Programme who became famous on TikTok.[13] That same month, GeeXPlus was announced to have a panel at Anime Expo 2025.[14]

On July 3, 2025, at Anime Expo, GeeXPlus announced the creation of a new division called GeeXProduction to help support and produce projects made by creators who work with GeeXPlus.[15][16] On the same day, they revealed three works: the anime short film Bâan: The Boundary of Adulthood by Garnt Maneetapho, a 3D animated web series and webtoon Soul Mart by Dillon Gu (also known as DillonGoo), and an independent animated web series Otachan! Rabbit Season by Yusef Iqbal (also known as Otaku-Vs).[17][18] In an interview with the Japanese entertainment website Natalie, GeeXProduction executive producer Rick Gao said that the new division was created to allow deeper involvement in creative projects, from the early planning stages all the way to completion.[19]

Talents

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  • The Anime Man
  • Gigguk
  • CDawgVA
  • Sydsnap
  • Foxen Anime
  • Emirichu
  • Daidus
  • Ohara
  • TheGamingBeaver
  • Onigiri
  • Minori
  • Mother's Basement
  • DotoDoya
  • Kfel
  • Seerasan
  • DillonGoo
  • Goresh
  • Megan and Ben (HitoBito)
  • Let me solo her
  • Suburbanwill
  • Dangoheart Animation
  • OtakuVS
  • DeputyARUUU
  • Arielle
  • Snifferfish

References

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  1. ^ Tsuruda, Meg (August 17, 2021). "How Meilyne Tran Started an Agency with the Biggest Anime Youtubers in the World". Project Anime.
  2. ^ a b Kelts, Roland (February 3, 2020). "GeeXPlus brings anime YouTubers to Japan". The Japan Times.
  3. ^ St. Michel, Patrick (February 9, 2021). "New trends in 'J-vlogging' allow for a more diverse range of views on Japan". The Japan Times.
  4. ^ Low, Samantha (February 9, 2023). "The Gaming Beaver Unearths Japan's Dinosaur Obsession". Tokyo Weekender.
  5. ^ St. Michel, Patrick (September 10, 2022). "YouTubers Daidus and Emirichu follow their dreams to Japan". The Japan Times.
  6. ^ Park, Hyojin; Ogawa, Aaron (July 13, 2025). "Artist Emirichu's experience on content creation in Japan". USC Annenberg Media.
  7. ^ Ataf, Mariam (July 1, 2024). "How ZenPlus helps unique Japanese brands reach new markets". Japan Today.
  8. ^ Low, Samantha (August 8, 2023). "Onigiri — Making Delicious Content from Japan to the World". Metropolis.
  9. ^ Bashir, Dale (October 5, 2023). "If You're a Content Creator Looking to Move to Japan, GeeXPlus is Here to Help". IGN.
  10. ^ Tay, Natalie (October 3, 2023). "GeeXPlus, The Talent Agency Behind 'Trash Taste', Is Looking For New Talent". The Magic Rain.
  11. ^ Low, Samantha (October 30, 2024). "Kfel Is the Latest Online Talent To Join GeeXPlus". Tokyo Weekender.
  12. ^ Lazic, Tamara (February 2, 2025). "BookWalker, Kadokawa Connected to Merge With Dwango". Anime Corner.
  13. ^ St. Michel, Patrick (June 19, 2025). "The Hitobito's Megan and Ben uncover the real Japan, one video at a time". The Japan Times.
  14. ^ "Anime Expo Reveals Full 2025 Program of Guests, Panels, Premieres & More". Animation Magazine. June 19, 2025.
  15. ^ Trinos, Angelo Delos. "1 Famous Anime Youtuber Is Making His Own Anime – & It Could Change the Anime Industry's Future for the Better". Comic Book Resources.
  16. ^ Dempsey, Liam (July 4, 2025). "GeeXProductions Launches with Projects from Gigguk, DillonGoo, and OtakuVS". Crunchyroll News. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  17. ^ Rafael Antonio, Pineda (3 July 2025). "GeeXPlus' New GeeXProductions Division Produces Gigguk's Bâan -The Boundaries of Adulthood- Anime Short Movie". Anime News Network.
  18. ^ Guerrero, Justin (5 July 2025). "AX 2025: Creators Gigguk, DillonGoo, and OtakuVS unveil anime projects". ComicsBeat.
  19. ^ "KADOKAWAグループのGeeXPlus、海外インフルエンサー主導のアニメ制作事業を始動". Natalie (in Japanese). 4 July 2025.
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