Starbright Licensing has been appointed by Spiralcute International to represent Chiikawa, Mofusand and Koupen Chan in Italy, bringing three distinctive, creator-led character brands with established fanbases and growing international momentum to the Italian licensing market.
The appointment adds three unique properties to Starbright’s portfolio, each with its own creative identity, highly engaged fanbase and expanding international presence across content, consumer products, collaborations, retail and experiences.
Chiikawa – Created by illustrator Nagano, Chiikawa has grown from a much-loved manga into a cultural phenomenon and powerhouse character IP. Combining irresistible cuteness with humor, adventure and emotional depth, the brand now spans animation, consumer products, major collaborations and immersive experiences, while its first feature film opened at No.1 in July 2026.
Mofusand – Created by illustrator Juno, Mofusand captures the mischievous charm of cats in adorable, unexpected ways. The brand’s soft, sophisticated illustration style and wordless humour have made it universally shareable and instantly lovable.
Koupen Chan – Created by illustrator Rurutea, the adorable baby emperor penguin spreads positivity and cheer through simple words of encouragement and affirmation. Originally launched on social media as a way to celebrate life’s everyday wins, Koupen Chan has captured hearts with its gentle humour and positivity.
Spiralcute International is accelerating the international expansion of its portfolio through a network of experienced licensing agents across key international markets.
Starbright will lead the development of the brands’ licensing programmes in Italy, identifying partners and opportunities that support their individual positioning and long-term growth.
“The new acquisitions of our portfolio confirm our commitment to offering our partners licensing opportunities that are solid, innovative and capable of generating long-term value” – said Giada Paterlini, CEO of Starbright Licensing.
Kate Schlomann, EVP, Business Development & Operations, Spiralcute International, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Starbright Licensing to our growing international network. Their deep understanding of the Italian licensing landscape makes them a natural partner for Spiralcute. We’re excited to work together to build Chiikawa, Mofusand and Koupen Chan in Italy, creating meaningful opportunities for fans to discover and engage with these very special brands”.
