Nintendo renames WARPSTAR, Inc. to Nintendo Stars Inc; now responsible for ancillary use of all films featuring Nintendo’s IP
If you’re the kind of person who likes to pour over Nintendo‘s financial documents, you already know of a company called WARPSTAR Inc., who is in charge of rights related to the Kirby anime series (Kirby: Right Back at Ya!). That company became a consolidated subsidiary on April 1st, 2025, and starting today, it is known under a different name: Nintendo Stars Inc..
Naturally, this name change isn’t just for show: it’s actually part of Nintendo’s broader strategy to expand its “Visual Content” business (movies and the likes). The company has also been restructured and is now responsible for what Nintendo calls the “ancillary-use business tied to films that feature Nintendo Intellectual Property,” not just that of the Kirby franchise.
Nintendo explains that “ancillary-use for films” refers to “taking Nintendo characters and worlds from films to apply and expand in other forms, including live events and merchandise, through project development, licensing, and other means.”
In other words, it’s about the rights related to the movies themselves; for example, when the new Super Mario Bros. Movie comes out next year, any merchandise based on Nintendo characters as they appear in the movie (like plushies, figures, toys, etc.), but also special events, etc. will all be managed by Nintendo Stars Inc. rather than Nintendo or Universal themselves.
The official website for Nintendo Stars Inc. is now live: click here to check it out (only available in Japanese, unfortunately)!
Here’s some details about the “new” company, Nintendo Stars Inc.:
- Representative Director and President: Nobuto Kuroki (HAL Laboratory)
- Director: Shigefumi Kawase (HAL Laboratory)
- Director: Toshitatsu Takei (Nintendo)
- Director: Yutaka Takehisa (Nintendo)
- Director: Hironari Makiuchi (Nintendo)
- Director: Yoshitaka Kurokawa (Nintendo)
| Trade name | Nintendo Stars Inc. |
|---|---|
| Location | KANDA SQUARE, 2-2-1 Kanda-Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Representative title and name | Representative Director and President Nobuto Kuroki |
| Capital contribution ratio | Nintendo Co., Ltd.: 100% |
| Business lineup | • Operation, licensing, and management of ancillary use for films featuring Nintendo IP • Operation, licensing, and management of ancillary use related to the Kirby franchise |
| Capital stock | 10 million yen |
| Date of foundation | July 31, 2001 |
| Date of change | August 27, 2025 |
Finally, here’s the press release in full:
Nintendo Co., Ltd. (HQ: Kyoto, Japan, President and Representative Director: Shuntaro Furukawa; hereinafter “Nintendo”) hereby announces that WARPSTAR, Inc., which became a consolidated subsidiary as of April 1, 2025, has changed its name to Nintendo Stars Inc. The company has been restructured as a Nintendo subsidiary responsible for the ancillary-use business tied to films that feature Nintendo Intellectual Property (IP).
* Ancillary use for films refers to taking Nintendo characters and worlds from films to apply and expand in other forms, including live events and merchandise, through project development, licensing, and other means.
Nintendo has announced two upcoming films for theatrical release: a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros. to be released on April 3, 2026, and a live-action film based on the world of The Legend of Zelda to be released on May 7, 2027.
By implementing and licensing various ancillary uses in films, Nintendo Stars Inc. aims to familiarize people around the world with Nintendo IP and provide new ways to experience it.
In addition, Nintendo Stars Inc. will continue its ancillary-use business of the Kirby franchise, which WARPSTAR, Inc. has been engaged in. By utilizing the know-how cultivated in this business, Nintendo Stars Inc. aims to expand the number of people who have access to Nintendo IP through cooperation with partners around the world, and strengthen the relationship between Nintendo and its customers.
Source: Nintendo PR (27/08/2025)
