Indie Studio Sekai Secures Rights to Launch ‘Naruto’s First Official Digital Card Game After Years of Persistence

Paris and Tokyo-based indie studio Sekai has launched the first officially licensed digital card app for the beloved “Naruto” franchise, marking a milestone in bringing the anime’s iconic characters to mobile platforms.

“Naruto Ninja Cards,” available now on the App Store and Google Play, offers fans a gamified card-collecting experience featuring the series’ most memorable characters, exclusive artwork, and real-time strategic gameplay with friends. The free-to-play app has already garnered significant attention, with 500,000 downloads recorded during its soft launch phase in February.

What might appear as a straightforward mobile game release represents the culmination of a five-year journey for Sekai, which had to navigate complex licensing negotiations with Japanese broadcaster TV Tokyo and gain approval from “Naruto” creator Masashi Kishimoto. The studio’s dedication to the project extended beyond mere business considerations—it became a personal mission for its founders.

“We spent a year and a half in Japan convincing the IP’s owners to trust us, and became the first foreign studio ever licensed to build this,” says Samy Therain, co-founder and CEO of Sekai. “Today’s launch is theirs.”

TV Tokyo’s head of global distribution, Hiroaki Saiki, praised Sekai’s authentic connection to the source material: “The Sekai team’s genuine passion for ‘Naruto’ is what truly resonates with fans worldwide.”

Sekai’s investor roster reflects its broad appeal, including notable figures like Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, NBA All-Star Rudy Gobert, and Alexis Ohanian through his 776 fund. The studio has also attracted support from Skycatcher and Makers Fund.

The path to this achievement was far from smooth. After initial meetings with TV Tokyo in January 2022, Sekai faced an unexpected setback when the network went silent for nearly a month. Industry advisors warned that such radio silence often signaled a deal’s demise. When communication resumed, the studio learned that “Naruto” author Masashi Kishimoto had not approved the project—an obstacle that seemed insurmountable.

Faced with potential failure, Therain took an unconventional approach. Inspired by his wife’s encouragement to embody the perseverance that defines “Naruto” itself, he penned a heartfelt letter to Kishimoto—the character’s signature “talk no jutsu” philosophy guiding his words. Rather than accepting defeat, Therain channeled his inner Naruto in seeking approval directly.

“I wrote on paper what ‘Naruto’ meant to me, every reason why I loved him, and how he changed my life,” Therain explains. “I ended it with: ‘I don’t know if you’re going to say like “Sorry, yeah,” but no matter what happens, basically I will try again and again and again. Akiramenai, I will never give up because this is my ninja way.'”

This bold move paid off. After sending the letter to TV Tokyo, Kishimoto granted his approval, and the project moved forward. “It was a beautiful loop,” Therain reflects. “Everything seemed lost, and I felt like Naruto. This is just reality matching with the dream.”

The app’s early success stems from unique features like never-before-seen hand-drawn artworks, hidden Easter eggs for devoted fans, and rapid iteration based on community feedback. Sekai maintains an active Discord server with nearly 1,410 members, responding to every piece of input to shape future updates.

Looking ahead, Sekai plans quarterly card releases and is developing ambitious live events described as the “Super Bowl of Anime.” These stadium-based spectacles aim to recreate the epic energy of “Naruto” battles using pyrotechnics, holograms, and immersive experiences. The studio is already collaborating with Hollywood professionals and investors to bring this vision to life, leveraging its comprehensive IP deal that extends beyond digital cards.

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