PG-TRADING Co., Ltd. (PG), a consolidated subsidiary of PIALA Co., Ltd., has set up an IP floor in "Shanghai Takashimaya" for the purpose of introducing Japanese culture in the Gubei area, where many wealthy people and foreigners live in Shanghai. As the first project, a cafe and goods sale of the Japanese anime "Inuyasha" have been held for a limited time until January 27, 2021. The popularity of Japanese anime and manga has not declined around the world, and in May 2019, a cafe and retail store of "Detective Conan", which is very popular in China, opened for a limited time. The IP business using Japanese anime and manga is now attracting a lot of attention, such as making a long line waiting for 3 hours on weekends. Currently, in China, not only local department stores and commercial malls, but also many Asian commercial malls from South Korea and Japan have been expanding, and competition has been intensifying more than ever. For this context, PG has planned an event that utilizes Japan's popular IP and proposed a floor construction to Shanghai Takashimaya, and will open a place to introduce Japanese culture by taking advantage of its strengths as a Japanese department store. This time, as the first step, a cafe and character goods sales event inspired by "Inuyasha", which is also popular in China will be held around the corner on the 7th floor of "Shanghai Takashimaya". It is expected to attract 5,500 to 6,000 customers a month. There are more than 30 types of meals, sweets and drinks, including menus inspired by the characters, and you can also purchase original goods such as charms and clothing inspired by the characters. Not only because of the cafe and products, but also because of the perfection of the atmosphere of the entire event area, Chinese influencers have come to the store and post on social media that they use, and it has become viral throughout China. PG has been proceeding with such IP-related projects not only at Shanghai Takashimaya but also at other Japanese department stores and commercial malls. PG says that they will contribute to the development of any company by establishing a place where Japanese culture can be introduced, setting the Japanese IP business in China as the new lynchpin in the future.

The puzzle smartphone RPG "Monster Strike" (referred to as MonSt, below) announced for the first time a collaboration with five of Takahashi Rumiko's most iconic titles from "Rumic World", including "Urusei Yatsura", and "Inuyasha". The event will start on Mar. 2, 2021 at 12:00pm. "Rumic World" is the term used to refer to the collection of works from the manga author Takashi Rumiko, which encompasses a variety of genres ranging from comedy to love stories, battle, and horror. Among these, characters from the most iconic series "Urusei Yatsura", "Maison Ikkoku", "Ranma 1/2", "Inuyasha", and "Rin-ne", will appear on "MonSt" for the first time ever. From "Urusei Yatsura", the Oni specie alien girl that came from space, "Lum". From "Ranma 1/2", the young martial artist protagonist in both male and female forms, "Saotome Ranma". From "Inuyasha", the hybrid of a demon father and a human mother, "Inuyasha". Each character can be acquired by clearing special event quests. Throughout the collaboration period, by clearing Bingo-type missions, the following characters can also be unlocked: From "Maison Ikkoku", the manager of the Maison Ikkoku in the city of Clock Hill, "Otonashi Kyoko". From "Ranma 1/2", the Chinese Amazon girl, "Shampoo". From "Inuyasha", the older half-brother of the protagonist Inuyasha, "Sesshomaru". And from "Rinne", the young shinigami with a gentle heart and strong sense of justice, "Rokudo Rinne". The collaboration event "Rumic World x Monster Strike" will start from 12:00am Mar. 2, 2021. More details regarding the collab can be found at MonSt's official website and Youtube channel. (C) Takahashi Rumiko / Shogakukan (C) XFLAG