20 branding agencies in Japan and abroad carefully selected by professionals — 2020 edition

WOWhttps://www.w0w.co.jp/

A visual design studio with offices in Tokyo, Sendai, and London. Their work spans beyond conventional media categories, ranging from commercial films and VI development to collaborative user interface design projects with manufacturers.

With the mission of “creating excitement in people’s hearts,” WOW pursues two complementary approaches: one as a creative collective, and the other as a visual design studio that embraces the diversity of its creators. The company values dialogue with clients through both intellect and sensibility, aiming to create together as true partners.

WOW has exhibited installations at the Louvre Museum, engaged in product design, and carried out projects both in Japan and internationally. They are known for producing innovative and unique brand campaigns.

Recommended Points

・A wide range of branding support achievements published on their website
・Focused on delivering both speed and high quality at an exceptional level

Case Study: BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE

A project focused on expressing the distinctive character of BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE bags through a variety of movements and situations. By capturing playful and elegant motions, the work highlights the organic beauty of the bags.

Case Study: KOKUYO Co., Ltd.

WOW was responsible for creating digital art installations for the large-scale renovation of KOKUYO’s Tokyo showroom, “THE CAMPUS.” To communicate the renewal concept of “creating together” both internally and externally, they produced three works titled “Chat,” “Place,” and “Connection.” By visualizing large amounts of data such as chat communications and attendance information collected automatically through database servers, the installations expressed the collaborative creativity of diverse employees.

Company Overview: WOW Inc.

RISKYBRAND INC.https://www.riskybrand.com

A Japan-based brand strategy consulting firm that has spent the past 20 years supporting the transformation of leading domestic and international brands. Leveraging extensive experience and expertise, the company supports businesses ranging from major corporations to startups, from identifying issues to implementing brand strategies.

RISKYBRAND provides comprehensive branding services, from research aimed at uncovering high-quality insights to brand strategy planning, design development that gives shape to brand value, and the creation of language and visuals. By cultivating favorable brand perceptions across regions and contexts, they strengthen brand value.

The company emphasizes LOOK & FEEL management, valuing image strategies that encompass not only logos but also color strategies, typography, grid systems, and photographic motifs. Their services cover everything from brand development and rebranding to communication design.

Recommended Points

・Specialized in brand strategy
・Extensive experience supporting major corporations

Case Study: Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc. (MASTER FUND)

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, one of Japan’s largest integrated REITs leveraging the Nomura Real Estate Group’s value chain, developed a new brand strategy to express its strong commitment to growth and achieving the No.1 brand position.

Case Study: scheme verge

RISKYBRAND handled the rebranding centered around the VI for “horai,” a concierge app designed for exploring art. The project redefined the brand identity, refreshed the logo, and established new VI guidelines, creating a consistent worldview across applications such as business cards and the website.

Company Overview: RISKYBRAND INC.

Minira Creativehttps://minira.co.jp/

A branding and creative agency based in Tokyo’s Aoyama district with nearly 30 years of history. Specializing in new brand development and rebranding, the company has delivered numerous successful projects. Through thorough interviews and research, they place great importance on uncovering hidden strengths and untapped potential that even clients themselves may not recognize.

Minira Creative values strong partnerships with clients — relationships close enough to “sit knee-to-knee and talk openly.” Their mission is to think through challenges together, achieve success together, and create a positive cycle of growth. Another distinctive feature is their broad approach to branding, spanning package design, advertising, sales promotion, and web production.

Recommended Points

・Specialized in brand strategy
・Extensive experience supporting major corporations

Case Study: DEN-EN Shuzo Co., Ltd.

DEN-EN Shuzo, a pioneer in long-term barrel-aged shochu, spent 18 years developing a new product called “Envejecida,” an exceptionally rare sweet potato shochu aged in barrels. Minira Creative developed the brand concept, naming, logo, and package design, while also producing promotional videos to increase brand awareness. By leveraging SNS and YouTube advertising to expand the brand’s worldview, they achieved viewership far beyond expectations and led the campaign to success.

Case Study: Châteraisé

“Choco Bucky,” now a blockbuster product with sales exceeding 500 million units, was reportedly once considered a failed product. The project began when a Châteraisé representative personally brought the product to the agency. Minira Creative handled the rebranding process from brand concept development and naming to package design. The backstory of the product’s “revival from failure” also became part of its appeal, helping it gain visibility at retailers such as Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven. There’s a good chance many readers may have tried it themselves.

Company Overview: Minira Creative