Key Dates: 15 May 2025 (12:00-13:00)
Access: Marché du Film badge holders
Main Venue:
Meet the IP holders!
Launched in 2024, the Asian IP Showcase marks a significant milestone in our mission to expand the vibrant IP market in Cannes!
The showcase featured a diverse selection of original Asian IPs spanning manga and graphic novels to bold new comic book universes, these projects are rich with potential and ready for adaptation!
Discover more about the 2025 projects below!
Original title: おいしいごはんが食べられますように / Oishii Gohan ga Taberaremasu youni
Language: Japanese
Completed in: 2022
Synopsis:
Nitani, company employee who works in a suburb area of Japan, thinks food should simply serve to fill one’s stomach. He somehow starts dating Ashikawa, his coworker whom he disrespects for her weakness and inefficiency. Unlike Nitani, Ashikawa emphasizes the importance of eating well. She brings homemade food to work, and everyone seems to appreciate it. Meanwhile, a coworker begins to have some interest in Nitani. Her name is Oshio. She started working there one year after Ashikawa but she’s immediately known that she will be easily better at work than Ashikawa. She doesn’t like Ashikawa, because everyone tolerates and treats her better simply due to how she appears—weak and inefficient. So, she suggests Nitani that they bully Ashikawa together. By following Nitani and Oshio’s point of views, we gradually discover how they come to think that way, which leads to a surprising ending.
Publisher’s biography: Kodansha
Founded in 1909 in Japan, Kodansha is one of the leading publishers in Asia. We are currently increasing international live-action projects such as Drops of God (France) and many more.
Author’s biography: Junko Takase
Born in 1988. An up-and-coming author deeply influenced by Sayaka Murata (1979-). Recognized in Japan as a “Post-Murata” author with both youth and talent. Many point to the way that that many of her works reflect on the oppression faced (primarily by) women in modern society as a similarity to Murata. However, while Murata is known for writing wildly fantastical developments, Takase prefers to write in a more realistic tone, painting a vivid picture of the grotesque aspects of Japanese society.
Type of IP: Novel
Rights Holder: Kodansha Ltd.
Rights Available: World-wide
Original title: のだめカンタービレ
Language: Japanese
Completed in: 2001-2010
Synopsis:
In Nodame Cantabile, Shinichi Chiaki, a perfectionist aspiring conductor, clashes with Megumi “Nodame” Noda, a free-spirited and eccentric piano prodigy. Both students at Momogaoka College of Music, their opposite personalities collide but ultimately complement each other, sparking a joyful and unpredictable partnership. Together, they navigate the challenges of musical growth, academic pressures, and whimsical encounters with quirky classmates and mentors. Their shared love for music transforms their lives, blending humor, romance, and inspiring moments. Amid their eccentric adventures, Chiaki and Nodame discover that harmony is not just in music, but also in embracing the beauty of imperfection and individuality.
Publisher’s biography: Kodansha
Founded in 1909 in Japan, Kodansha is one of the leading publishers in Asia. We are currently increasing international live-action projects such as Drops of God (France) and many more.
Author’s biography: Tomoko Ninomiya
Born in 1969, Tomoko Ninomiya is a Japanese manga artist. In 1989, she made her debut with London Doubt Boys. She is best known for her series Nodame Cantabile, which received the 2004 Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga. Nodame Cantabile has been adapted for television as both live-action-drama series and 3 anime seasons.
Type of IP: Comic book
Rights Holder: Tomoko Ninomiya
Rights Available: World-wide
Original title: カノジョになりたい君と僕 / Kanojo ni naritai Kimi to Boku
Language: Japanese, English
Completed in: 2019
Synopsis:
Hime has long had feelings for her childhood friend Akira, who was assigned male at birth. Upon entering high school, Akira decides to live as a girl and begins attending school in a sailor-style uniform alongside Hime. When their homeroom teacher and classmates show a lack of understanding toward Akira’s gender identity, Hime expresses her support by coming to school wearing Akira’s old male uniform.
As the story unfolds, a diverse group of characters—such as an asexual teacher, a male classmate who has feelings for Hime, and a boy whom Akira secretly likes—each face their own struggles and questions around identity and acceptance. Through their interactions, the story explores the challenges and meaning of living authentically, as well as the importance of empathy and understanding in a diverse society.
In the end, even characters like a same-sex couple—whose marriage is not legally recognized under current Japanese law—find a path toward happiness in their own way.
Publisher’s biography: COMISMA
An IP platform company that operates the manga app GANMA! while continuously producing original manga titles, with high-end anime production studio as a subsidiary.
Author’s biography: Umi Takase
Umi Takase is a Japanese manga artist known for creating original manga and illustrations. Her notable works include “Don’t Come, Stork (こないでコウノトリ)” and “I Wanna Be Your Girl.”
Type of IP: Manga
Rights Holder: Umi Takase
Rights Available: Filming rights are available world-wide. Manga rights are available in China and Korea.
Category: Asian IP Showcase
Genre: Action, Politics, Supernatural
Country: Indonesia
Language: English, Indonesia
Completed in: 2024
Synopsis:
The story follows a martial arts student, Pitung, a boy who survives the devastating Wildfire that ravages Rawa Belong Village. Pitung lost everything that day. His parents, his brother (Ji’ih), and his childhood friends began to distance themselves because of the tragedy (Ayesha, Gomar, and Joris). This life-changing event fuels Pitung’s vow to seek revenge by killing all the bandits in Batavia. In his quest for justice, he becomes the very thing he despises most: The Immortal Bandit, Blackbull.
In his mission to ambush the hideout of the Sumatran Tiger bandits, Blackbull accidentally finds a deadly weapon in the form of firecrackers that are ready to be distributed.
This makes Blackbull have to cross paths with his childhood friend and also love interest, Ayesha, who has her own agenda to investigate the mastermind behind the Wildfire in Rawa Belong.
Soon, Blackbull, Ayesha, and their childhood friends have to team up to unveil the conspiracy between Lim Cheng the landlord, and the government of Batavia.
Publisher’s biography: Beyondtopia
Beyondtopia is an original IP company that focuses on retelling Indonesian legends and folklore to the global market with a unique twist through comic books.
Author’s biography: Bryan Valenza
Bryan Valenza is an exclusive color artist at Marvel and the co-founder of Beyondtopia. With 10+ years of experience in the American comic industry, Bryan starts his new journey as a writer and author of his own stories and visions. Bringing Indonesian legends and folklore to the world.
Type of IP: Comic Book
Rights Holder: Bryan Valenza and Beyondtopia
Rights Available: Yes
Language: English
Completed in: 2025
Synopsis:
During the political unrest in 1966, YEN, a mother to MIN, her toddler son, is part of the Chinese-Indonesian refugees forced to dwell in warehouses on a tobacco plantation in Sumatra. They await a ship from China for their repatriation.
Yen fights for custody of her child against her late husband’s family. Amidst this struggle, terror strikes as an entity preying on children spreads among the residents. Unfortunately, this entity can transfer from one adult to another, making it difficult to capture. The terror causes division among the once harmonious community. The situation worsens with news that the ship won’t arrive, leaving them stranded in uncertainty.
As child casualties continue, tensions escalate into conflicts among residents, resulting in more casualties. Can Yen protect her child when suspicion centers on her as one possibly possessed by the entity?
Publisher’s biography: KOSMIK
Established in 2015, KOSMIK is Indonesian-based comic publishing company that has won numerous international awards. With a collective experience of over 20 years in the comics industry, we have evolved into a service company specializing in comics, animation, character licensing, and 360° IP development.
Author’s biography: Iskandar Salim
Iskandar Salim is an Indonesian comic artist and digital illustrator based in Jakarta, widely recognized for creating the popular web-comic series Komik Faktap. Born with a passion for drawing that began in childhood, he has developed a distinctive style that blends humor, satire, and sharp socio-political commentary. Komik Faktap, launched in 2015, reflects his take on contemporary issues in Indonesia and beyond, often using the term “Faktap” (a playful twist on “fucked up”) to highlight absurdities in politics, pop culture, and society. His work has gained significant traction online, earning praise for its progressive and rational perspective amid a landscape of misinformation.
A self-described pop culture enthusiast, Iskandar spends much of his time immersed in movies, music, and his collection of action figures, often to the amusement (and mild annoyance) of his wife. His Chinese-Indonesian heritage informs some of his work, including reflections on identity and culture, as seen in pieces like his essay for New Naratif. Today, he remains an influential figure in Indonesia’s comic scene, balancing his “man cave” hobbies with a career that continues to resonate with a wide audience.
Type of IP: Comic
Rights Holder: Ch. Djoko Santiko Djati
Rights Available: All adaptation rights available, including but not limited to film, television, animation, digital media, merchandise, and games. Publishing rights also available for selected territories.
Language: English, Indonesia
Completed in: Vol 1 (2017), Vol 2 (2018), Vol 3 (2019), Vol 4 (2021), Vol 5 (2024), Vol 6 (upcoming 2025)
Synopsis:
Rudra, a ruthless contract killer, will stop at nothing to earn the approval of his future in-laws and marry his girlfriend. Delphine, a mentally unstable woman, grapples with the terrifying uncertainty of whether she was responsible for the brutal murders of her family and friends. Vero, a transgender woman haunted by the scars of her past in a religious extremist cult, is desperate for revenge. And Bertho, a father driven to desperation, will do anything to protect and provide for his family.
Their fates collide in an unfinished tower, where a shadowy figure known only as “The Commander” forces them into a life-or-death competition. The rules? Take out reckless motorbike racers speeding below to earn points—the top scorer wins a fortune. But when the stakes get too high, the chaos ignites.
Rudra’s rage turns deadly, targeting Vero in a brutal confrontation. Delphine’s unstable mind drives her to attack Bertho. And what was meant to be a game quickly descends into utter madness. As the bloodbath escalates, the shadowy elite known as “The Oligarchs” who orchestrated the contest for their own twisted pleasure, order the elimination of everyone—including The Commander.
In the wake of this destruction, an unlikely alliance forms among the survivors. Together, they set their sights on revenge, vowing to bring down the Oligarchs. But the deeper they dig, the more they realize the Oligarchs’ power runs far deeper than they ever imagined—turning them into mere pawns in a game with much higher stakes.
After an epic series of brutal battles across various locations, the group finally manages to infiltrate and destroy the Oligarchs’ headquarters. But in the end, survival is a luxury not all of them can afford.
Publisher’s biography: re:ON Comics
re:ON Comics is the biggest original comic publisher in Indonesia with big social media and offline presence. Founded in 2013, re:ON Comics has published over 70 titles and series, sold more than 1.5 million copies nationwide, and licensed its works in seven different languages, both in print and digital formats. Additionally, re:ON Comics is the only Indonesian comic publisher to represent the country at the Frankfurt Book Fair for multiple years.
Author’s biography: Yudhanegara Nyoman & Haryadhi
Yudha Negara Nyoman is the co-founder of re:ON Comics, a versatile writer with expertise across various genres. His passion for film and video games enhances his storytelling, making it easily adaptable to the screen.
Haryadhi is a comic artist with a large following on social media. His works can be found across various platforms, including social media, print, webtoon, and crowdfunding sites. His dynamic, gritty, and detailed line work brings the JITU comic series to life.
Type of IP: Graphic Novel Series
Rights Holder: Yudhanegara Nyoman & Haryadhi
Rights Available: All Rights Available
