THE VISIONARY BEHIND JAPAN'S FASHION REVOLUTION AND GLOBAL ANIMATION PHENOMENON
Editorial
-Alaya Brown
Redefining Leadership
Inaworlddefinedbyrapidinnovation,shifting
markets,andglobaluncertainty,trueleadershipstands out—notjustthroughtitlesoraccolades,butthrough authenticity,resilience,andarelentlesspursuitofprogress. InthisspecialeditionofInsightsSuccesstitled, The Most Dynamic Leader to Watch in 2025,weshinethespotlight onanindividualwhoembodiesallthesetraitsandmore: JakeOhama.
Jakeisn’tjustanothernameintheleadershipplaybook.He isrepresentinganewgenerationofvisionarieswholeadnot fromapedestal,butfromthetrencheslistening,learning, andliftingothersastheyrise.Withatrackrecordthat blendsstrategicforesightwithhands-onexecution,Jakehas continuallychallengedthestatusquo,fosteringinnovation whilebuildinginclusivecultureswhereverhegoes.
WhatmakesJakeOhamatrulydynamicishisabilityto navigatecomplexitywithclarity Whethersteeringteams throughdigitaltransformationorchampioningethical leadershipinhigh-stakesenvironments,hisapproachis bothgroundedandfuture-focused.Heisnotonlyshaping organizationallandscapesbutalsoinspiringashiftinhow leadershipitselfisdefined.
Inthisedition,weexploreJake’sjourney,thepivotal choicesthatshapedhispath,andthemindsetthatcontinues topushhimforward.Hisstoryisoneofcourage, adaptability,andtheunwaveringbeliefthatleadershipis lessaboutbeinginchargeandmoreabouttakingcareof thoseinyourcharge.
Happy Reading!
F E A T U R I N G
Jake Ohama: The Visionary Behind Japan's Fashion Revolution and Global Animation Phenomenon
ARTICLES
The Animation Entrepreneur's Guide to Securing Venture Capital in 2025
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The ROI of Visionary Creative Leadership in Today's Competitive Marketplace
Art
Business
Business
Digital
Co-designer
Marketing
F E A T U R I N G
OHAMA
THE VISIONARY BEHIND JAPAN'S FASHION REVOLUTION AND GLOBAL ANIMATION PHENOMENON
Founder & Animation Director
Rabbitwarren Animation Studios
The
Dynamic Leader to Watch in 2025
In a universe where uncertainty tends to give rise to hesitation, Jake Ohama has made it his guiding principle.Hiscareerpathisfarfromconventional,from conceptualizing stadium-sized events upon graduation from universitytochangingJapan'sfashionscenewithinnovative ideas such as the Tokyo Girls Collection. As Founder and AnimationDirectorofRabbitwarrenAnimationStudios, heisnowatthenexusofpurpose,art,andinnovation,leading a movement that is revolutionizing leadership and story as well.
Hisstyleofleadershipisfoundedonvision,resolve,andfirm conviction in mass creativity Rather than directing the outcome, he has faith in his teams by specifying their assignmentinmeticulousdetailandthendelegatingtoenable themtobringtotheforefronttheircreativity.Withitsveryfirst animation project winning the support of 30 million individuals globally within just two quick years, an unprecedentedrecordforagroupthatwascompletelynewto thegame.Rabbitwarren'smeteoricrisehasbeenfueledbythis godlystrategy
His passion for human connection lies at the root of every endeavor.Heisconvertingeveryobstacle,bothpersonaland professional, into creative energy, whether creating cultural symbols such as the Kobe Collection or leading the internationally targeted Unconditionable Project His approach, powered by quantum physics and unwavering positivity, which is focusing on an active reality: that leadershipislessaboutcontrol,andmoreaboutflow,bravery, andvision.
Singaporean Jake Ohama goes on to produce not only tales, but a legacy of oneness, self-expression, and conscious transformation, proving that even the most unexpected projectscanbetrulyfantasticineffectwiththerightattitude.
FromCampusOrganizertoFashionPioneer
Ohama's talent for large-scale event management, first evident during his university fundraising efforts, quickly caught the attention of California's prestigious Riviera Country Club. Hired straight after graduation, he found himself overseeing operations for events attracting up to 150,000 attendees, including the US Open. The scale and complexity of these events provided invaluable experience thatwouldproveinstrumentalinhislaterventures.
"Running a business comes with inevitable setbacks and challenges. A true leader adapts the company's direction, when necessary, inspires their team, and fosters a shared
sense of purpose and growth." hereflects,speakingfromhis currentbaseinSingapore.
This philosophy guided his transition from event managementtoentrepreneurship.Recognizingtheemerging potential of mobile internet commerce, Ohama founded a companythatwouldfundamentallychangehowfashionwas consumedandexperiencedinJapan.Hisvisionmaterialized in the creation of two groundbreaking fashion events: the KobeCollectionandtheTokyoGirlsCollection(TGC).
TGC became a cultural phenomenon, attracting between 30,000 and 60,000 attendees per event. More than just a fashion show, it revitalized Japan's fashion industry and earned government backing, demonstrating Ohama's ability to create enterprises that transcend commercial success to achievebroaderculturalimpact.
TheMobileCommerceRevolutionary
As a pioneer in mobile commerce, Ohama's company achieved significant milestones through strategic partnerships with global brands including Louis Vuitton Japan and Coca-Cola Japan. These collaborations weren't merelybusinesstransactionsbutrepresentedanewparadigm in how luxury brands could engage with mobile-first consumers.
ThesuccessofhisfashionventureshasestablishedOhamaas a visionary in understanding how technology can reshape traditional industries. Yet, he remains characteristically modest about these achievements, often stating that they are newcomers and do not consider themselves successful at all despite his company's recognition with multiple awards, including the Nikkei InternetAward 2002 and the 6th Japan OnlineShoppingAwards.
Thishumilityperhapsstemsfromhisphilosophicalapproach to business and life. "In life, work and personal challenges don't clash they're two sides of the same coin. I've never focusedonbalancingthem.Instead,Ibelievetheenvironment andcircumstanceswegrowupinnaturallyshapeourpassion forworkandourlife'sgoals."Ohamaexplains.
AQuantumPerspectiveonTimeandPurpose
Ohama's worldview draws heavily from quantum physics, particularly the concept that time is an illusion where past, present,andfutureexistsimultaneouslyinthe"eternalnow." This perspective profoundly influences both his business strategyandpersonalphilosophy
"In life, work and personal challenges don't clash they're two sides of the same coin. I've never focused on balancing them. Instead, I believe the environment and circumstances we grow up in naturally shape our passion for work and our life's goals."
He has even captured this concept in a song he wrote called "Now Here - Focus On Now," which reflects his quantum viewoftime.
"From a quantum mechanics perspective, time is an illusion. Everyone's life has a natural 'flow.' Trusting and following thatflowwhilesteadilymovingforwardiscrucial."hesays.
This philosophy was tested during the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake,whenOhama'scompanypivotedtosupportrelief effortswhilelaunchinginnovativeglobalfashionprojectslike World Runway The experience reinforced his belief in adaptationandresilienceascorebusinessprinciples.
The Hiroshima Declaration and UNCONDITIONABLE PROJECT
February22,2022,markedwhatOhamabelievedwouldbea pivotalmomentinEarth'scycle.On thatdate,hetraveledto Hiroshimatolaunchthe"UNCONDITIONABLEPROJECT (UCDNBL),"anambitiousinitiativerootedinafreshartistic visionaimedatremindinghumanityofitsfundamentalunity
The choice of Hiroshima as the launch location deeply symbolic. Hiroshima, a city scarred by nuclear
stands as a global symbol of peace, advocating for human unity and the futility of division, as Ohama has often emphasized.Thetimingprovedpropheticjusttwodaysafter thedeclaration,Russia’sinvasionofUkraineunderscoredthe urgencyofhismessageabouthumanconnectionandpeace.
UCDNBL is founded on six core perspectives inspired by concepts from quantum physics: freedom, passion, time, consciousness, living in the present, and embracing abundance. The organization views life as a "painting of consciousness," where individuals across the globe are empoweredtofreelyshapetheirownperspectives,according toOhama.
The
RABBITWARRENPhenomenon
The pandemic forced a significant pivot in Ohama's plans. Originally preparing to launch the WORLD RUNWAY project—a global fashion tournament—the impossibility of large-scale events during COVID-19 led to an unexpected opportunity.The team pivoted to developing an animation projectthatcouldbeworkedonremotely
"Don't stress over the small stuff. Trust that 'life will work out in the end,' and pursue your dreams without fixa ng on the results."
WhatemergedwasRABBITWARREN,thefirstphaseofthe UNCONDITIONABLEPROJECTdesignedasamessaging initiativetosparksmallactsofcourageandfosteraconflictfree world. The animation venture gained the support of 30 million people in just two years, a growth trajectory that surprisedevenOhama.
Theycouldneverhavepredictedthattheprojectwouldgain the support of 30 million people in just two years. Despite being complete newcomers to the animation industry, it earned recognition as one of the "Top 10 Most Promising Animation Companies inAsia" by Asia Business Outlook in 2024.
PhilosophyofLeadershipandResilience
Throughout his career, Ohama has faced significant challenges, including deception and betrayal by business partners.Yetheframestheseexperiencesnotassetbacksbut as catalysts for growth. "I've been deceived and betrayed by many people but seeing those experiences as a 'catalyst for what'snext'haskeptmemovingforwardwithoptimismand determination,"hesays.
This resilience stems from his fundamental belief in the interconnectedness of all things. "Through our project, we aim to remind the world that we're all connected by a single energy.Thismeansrecognizingtheabsurdityofharmingone another on this small planet, embracing unconditional love, andrediscoveringinfiniteabundance."
His leadership philosophy emphasizes vision-setting followed by creative empowerment. "A leader's role is to clearly define the vision and mission, share them with the team, and then step back to let their creativity shine," he explains. This approach has proven effective with the RABBITWARREN team, which has been "steadily meeting itsresponsibilitieswithoutneedingconstantmotivation."
LookingForward:TheVisionfor100million
CurrentlyfocusedongrowingRABBITWARRENtoward50 million subscribers and ultimately 100 million, Ohama remains committed to his core mission of inspiring "unconditionable hearts" worldwide. The project represents more than entertainment; it's a vehicle for promoting global unityandpeacethroughstorytelling.
Operating from Singapore, Ohama continues to embody his philosophy that "titles and professions aren't something to chase—they come to you almost unnoticed." His advice to aspiring leaders reflects this organic approach to success: "Don't stress over the small stuff. Trust that 'life will work out in the end,' and pursue your dreams without fixating on the results."
TheEternalOptimist
Perhaps what distinguishes Jake Ohama most is his unwavering optimism in the face of uncertainty. His life, shapedby"aseriesofuncertaintiesandunexpectedevents," hastaughthimthat"setbacks,struggles,andfailuresoftenlay thegroundworkforthenextchapterofourlives,givingusthe 'momentum'tokeepgoing."
AshecontinuesbuildingRABBITWARRENandexpanding the UNCONDITIONABLE PROJECT, Ohama remains focusedonhisgoal:creatingartandmessagesthatwillinspire fordecades,evenacentury.It'sanambitiousvisionbutgiven his track record of turning uncertainty into opportunity, dismissingJakeOhama'sdreamswouldbeunwiseindeed.
Itisintheyear2025thattheworldofanimationisbeing revolutionized by a trend that's all-encompassing. Something that was previously a niche market that was beingaimedatkids'entertainmenthasnowturnedintoamass cultural and financial giant. With the insatiable appetite for content from streaming platforms, the application of AI technologyattheproductionlevel,andworldwideaudiences lookingfortruestories,neverhastherebeenabettertimetobe ananimationbusinessman.
But even great ideas require fuel and in today's competitive marketplace,venturecapitalismostfrequentlythatfuel.
TheNewWaveofInvestorInterest
Venture capital investors are casting aside the generic tech startup and looking to the arts.Animation, with its peculiar mix of scalability, brandability, and worldwide reach, has been especially appealing. Investors no longer simply seek applications and algorithms now they're salivating over the nextculturalphenomenon,thenexticoniccharacter,thenext multimediafranchise.
However,securingVCfundingasananimationentrepreneur comeswithitsownsetofchallenges.You’renotjustpitching a project; you’re selling a vision. And that means showing investors that your creative studio has both the artistic flair andthebusinessacumentothrive.
LayingtheGroundworkforInvestment
Beforeyoueversitacrossfromaninvestor,yourhomehasto be in order. Animation startups too frequently are characterizedbyimaginationandnotmuchelse.Butventure capitalistsdemandaproperlyformedcompany,well-defined leadershippositions,andaclearlydelineatedbusinessmodel.
If you're a solo shop or a small group, you must professionalize. Investors need to see that your business can scale.Anditstartswithspecificity—whatyou'remaking,for whomyou'remakingit,andhowyou'regoingtomakemoney fromit.
Athoughtful,deliberatedplanofactionconveysthemessage toVCsthatyou'reseriousabouttheartformandthebusiness. And this is what the modern animation entrepreneur has to become:acombinationofvisionaryandstrategist.
FromStoriestoAssets:ThePowerofIP
Attheheartofallsuccessfulanimationproductionisfantastic intellectual property. It's fantastic characters, deep worlds, and emotional stories that people—and by consequence, financiers—fall in love with. But great imagination is not enough.Itisabouthavingcontroloveryourcreations.
TohaveastrongIPportfolioisnottoselloneinventionbutto sell an environment of possibility: merchandise, spin-offs, games,themeparkpotential.Thatscalefactoriswhatturnsa goodconceptintoafantasticinvestment.
Simple and straightforward, the modern animation businessperson needs to be Disney thinking in its very beginning stages horizon-orientated, not solely first release-orientated.
MetricsMatter,EveninaCreativeIndustry
It’s a hard truth, but one worth embracing: creativity alone doesn’tclosefundingrounds.Investorsspeakindata,andto be taken seriously, you’ll need to translate your passion into numbers.Thatmeansaudienceengagementstats,marketsize research,competitoranalysis,andfinancialprojections.
TestingonYouTube,Instagram,orTikTokcanprovideearly evidenceofconcept.Dabblingonlinesuccessisstillevidence of interest and traction. Crowdfunding can be evidence of publicsupportinadditiontoasourceofmoney
If you are able to combine artistic skill with good analytics, thenyouareararekindofanimal—adata-drivenanimation entrepreneurwhocanscale.
SurroundYourselfwiththeRightPeople
Nolargeanimationstudioexistsinisolation.Investorsinvest notsolelyinideasbutalsolookattheteamsthataccompany them.Abalanced team of creative directors, technical leads, producers, and business minds can shatter or forge an investor'strustinyourproject.
If you lack some specific skills, don't hesitate to invest in partners or consultants to cover the gaps. Investors don't expectyoutobejack-of-all-trades.Theyexpectyoutoknow whatyourequire—anddosomethingaboutit.
Your skill in producing and managing a team is just as essentialasyourdrawingoranimationskills.
GoWheretheInvestorsAre
Raisingmoneyisn'tnecessarilyabouthavingarockin'deck, butratheraboutmakingconnections.Begintofindyourselfin areaswhereVCswillbesearching.Thatis,industryfestivals, progressive tech conferences, and startup demo days. Not whetherit'stheAnnecyFestival,SXSW,orTuesdayinvestor networkingevenings—beingpresentisessential.
Online,vehicleslikeLinkedInbecomemorevaluable.Share your tale, open up your behind-the-scenes operations, and display the "why" of what you're doing. Venture capitalists willfrequentlyseekoutstart-upsonlinebeforeevermeeting withthefounders.
Beinganout-in-frontbrandturnsyouintoaserious,dedicated businessowner.Andvisibilitycreatespossibility.
CraftingthePerfectPitch
Whenpitchtimecomes:Don'tforgetthatVCsareinvestingin vision—yes, vision—not just content. Your passion should alsoshinethroughinyourpitch,butbeabletoshowhowyour workintersectswithtrends,fillsagapinthemarket,orisfor anunderservedaudience.
Why is your animation special? Why now? And how does yourcompanygettoprofitabilityatscale?
Bringemotion,butbringlogictoo.Acompellingstory,when combined with a clear strategy, is often what gets the deal done.
TheFutureIsYourstoAnimate
In 2025, the role of the animation entrepreneur has evolved. You’renotjustacreator—you’reafounder Aleader Abrandbuilder Venture capital is within reach, but it demands preparation, clarity, and a willingness to grow beyond the drawingboard.
Inaworldwhereindustriesarebeingredefinedbydigital upends, changing consumer behaviors, and the need to remain relevant, there's one leadership style that is emerging as a key differentiator: visionary creative leadership.It'snotabuzzword,it'sanattitude,aprocess,and mostimportantly,anintangibleassetthatcanbemeasuredin businesstoday.
Visionary creative leadership is where strategy and imaginationconverge.Itequipsleaderstonotonlyrespondto change, but anticipate it, craft it, and steer it. They build innovative cultures, break silos, and establish meaningful, future-prooforganizations.
TheNewCurrencyofLeadership
Old-fashioned control-based leadership, predictability, and efficiencyaren'tenoughforamarketthatisfueledbyaudacity and empathy Success today is every bit as much about imaginationasit'snotaboutoptimization.Visionarycreative leaders are adept at navigating ambiguity, motivating others tobebold,andseeingopportunitiesthatothersdon't.
They'renotinitforthemoney,thisisdrivenbypurpose,by ideals, and by possibility They build companies that customersremember,employeescan'thelpbutworkfor,and competitorswanttobe.
Other companies such as Netflix, Tesla, and Spotify all did precisely this under a leadership such as this. They did not merely refine existing products they revolutionized whole industries.Andthatpowerofreimagining,ofbeingabletosee
new worlds and take others in that direction, is what characterizesvisionarycreativeleadership.
HardFinancialPaybackfromSoftThinking
Although creativity and vision are always presented as intangible traits, their influence can be merely measured in businessperformance.Visionarycreativeleadersarelikelyto drive organizations toward more rapid innovation, higher customerloyalty,andimprovedorganizationalhealth.
Oneofthemostinfluentialsidebenefitsofsuchleadershipis speedy-up innovation. When workers can experiment, experimentwith,andrefinewithoutfearoffailure,theycome upwithgoodideassooner.Thissortofcreativebravenessis nothappenstanceitisbuiltbyleaderswhoaremoreinterested ininquiringthanincomplying.
Worker motivation also increases significantly in such cultures.Individualsaremoremotivatediftheybelievetheir workisimportantandcreativethinkingisencouraged.They feel they belong to something greater than themselves, resultinginincreasedcooperation,retention,andattitude.In fact, research time and again indicates highly engaged workers' companies outperform industry rivals in terms of productivity,profitability,andcustomersatisfaction.
In addition, vision-led brands occupy a special place in the marketplace.Theyarenotsellingproductsandservices;they are selling great stories, building experiences, and creating emotionalconnectionswithconsumers.Thatdistinctionisnot onlybrandequitybutalsogeneratespassionatecommunities
whorejoicetohonorthebrandamidstthenoiseoftheonline world.
ThePowerofCulturalTransformation
It is perhaps its greatest untapped value that innovative creative leadership can transform the culture of a company. It's not title-based leadership but one of the intentions. It defines how groups interact with one another, resolve conflicts,andperceiverisk.
Innovativeleaderscreateculturesinwhichshakingthingsup isencouraged,disagreementiswelcomed,andemployeesare empowered. These changes run deeper than skin-deep genuine changes that will impact how firms recruit talent, respondtochange,andremainresilientinadversity
LEGO'sturnaroundisacaseinpoint.Thebelovedtoymaker wasabouttogobelly-upintheearly2000s.Ratherthanhang on to the past, CEO Jørgen Vig Knudstorp took the way of vision and imagination. He challenged each department to develop,workedwithcustomers,andtookthebrandintonew territorysuchasgamingandmovies.Thepayoffwasahuge comeback. LEGO was not just a toy company anymore but againaculturalphenomenon.
AFutureThatRequiresVision
We are moving toward a business environment of artificial intelligence,climatenecessity,andchangingvaluesbetween generations.Thefutureleaderswhowillsucceedarenotthe oneswhoareholdingontoheritagemodelsbutrathertheones thatcanseeabetterworldaheadandtakepeoplewiththem.
Visionarycreativeleadershipisn'tthesoleprovinceofstartup foundersortechnologymoguls.It'savocabularythatcanbe spokeninhealthcare,education,government,andbeyond.It beginswiththeposingofgoodquestions,listeningcarefully, andsparkingtheimaginationofallthosepresent.
Aboveall,thissortofleadershipearnsdividendsnotaround innovationorprofit,butinresilience.DuringtheCOVID-19 pandemic crisis, for instance, it was the adaptable and visionary-ledcompaniesthatshiftedrapidly,reimaginedtheir business models, and remained in the game. It was not a matterofresourcesitwasamatterofbeingresourceful.
FinalThoughts
Visionary creative leadership will not come back immediately,butithasapermanentpayoff.Itwillshowupina company's capacity to create more quickly, to move more deeply, and to attract more powerfully with customers, with employees,andwiththeworld.
With perpetual change and relentless competition, visiondriven creativity is the most precious currency. It's what makesthingshappen,challengesturnintoopportunities,and companiesintomovements.
Visionary creative leadership isn't being an expert It's opening space for new solutions to come.And the ones that getgoodatvisionarycreativeleadership?Theydon'tjustkeep pace—theysetthepace.
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