Yasuo Matsuo, the founder of the former U.S.-based licensing agency Cloverway, has established IP Bay, a new global production studio dedicated to adapting Japanese literature. The company has set up international operations with offices in Hyogo, Tokyo, New York, and Los Angeles.
IP Bay is making its market debut at the Cannes Film Market, which commenced on May 12 and concludes on May 20. The studio's mission involves introducing Japanese intellectual properties to global producers and studios, representing rights holders, and facilitating co-development relationships across territories. IP Bay also supports foreign producers entering the Japanese market and directly produces adaptations, leveraging Japan's 50% production cash rebate for its Hollywood partners.
Yasuo Matsuo will serve as Chairman of IP Bay, while his son, Jun Matsuo, steps in as CEO. Jun Matsuo will be responsible for publisher engagement, title curation, legal operations, and liaising with Japan's major publishers. Frankie Seratch, a New York-based film producer, is a Co-Founder and will lead the studio's U.S. operations from New York and Los Angeles. Shinji Sakamoto, IP Bay's Japan Operations Advisor, brings significant connections through his involvement with the Cool Japan Initiative and ties to the Osaka Film Commission.
Matsuo's previous company, Cloverway, was known for distributing major anime titles such as Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, Saint Seiya, and Slam Dunk throughout Latin America. Cloverway also produced the English adaptations of Sailor Moon S and Sailor Moon Super S in the United States. Matsuo previously held the position of official representative for Toei Animation in the Americas and has collaborated with prominent Japanese publishers and animation studios like Shueisha, Shogakukan, Nippon Animation, and Tezuka Productions.
Source: Anime News Network(https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2026-05-18/cloverway-founder-yasuo-matsuo-launches-new-global-production-studio-ip-bay/.237498)
