Unique Research · Company / funding · March 9, 2023
On Mar 6, 2023, virtual-human IP studio Shanman Culture (山漫文化) raised multi-hundred-thousand RMB seed from a film-industry investor. Proceeds: IP acquisition + commercialization.
Founded 2022; controlling shareholder Ma Jingyi. Ambition: metaverse-era “Disney” — VR + AIGC to revive classic IP. Context: Tencent PCG U82 creator tool; ByteDance-backed Youmi face/outfit patents; Baidu Xiling virtual-singer show; Taobao testing metaverse live. Cost reality: single Liu Yexi short can cost ¥1M+; virtual-idol single ~¥2M; holographic concert ~¥20M — only top hosts get endorsements; scarcity dilutes as supply floods.
Co-founder Mark: spun out from tech vendor Aihuashen (爱化身) as IP incubator (different culture). Aihuashen supplies photoreal driven system “Wucaishi” + AI digital-human SaaS “Donglin” + VR stack → Shanman’s IP + virtual space + interaction loop; Shanman’s C-end reach feeds Aihuashen brand + tech iteration. 2023 plan: deep-incubate 5–6 classic IPs from Empresses in the Palace (甄嬛传) matrix + start new IP slate.
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