GBA Program · Case Study

Kenji

Tokyo-based designer & illustrator

Kenji creates character-driven vinyl toys that blend Japanese pop culture with a soft, organic aesthetic. His signature "green creature" series has become a cult favorite among collectors in Asia and beyond.

When he decided to scale from limited hand-mades to a proper production run, he faced the usual hurdles: finding a reliable factory, managing IP across regions, and securing funding. Through Popinker's GBA (Greater Bay Area) program, Kenji received end-to-end support—from copyright registration and trademark filing to grant application and studio placement.

"Popinker didn't just manufacture my toys—they helped me set up legally and financially in the Bay Area. I could focus on drawing; they handled the rest."