SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 5, 2026--
Kindred Labs today announced a strategic partnership with IPX (formerly known as LINE FRIENDS), the globally recognized character brand LINE FRIENDS, BT21, ZO&FRIENDS and more.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260303835585/en/
Through the partnership, Kindred Labs and IPX will create AI-powered companion experiences that bring expressive character personalities into everyday digital life through responsive, emotionally resonant interaction.
The companions are being designed in a new form factor: a persistent character presence that lives on top of your screen, showing up in the flow of everyday moments, from desktop and mobile to emerging surfaces like smart glasses over time. Beyond personality and expression, these companions are being built to function as powerful personal assistants, designed to become a primary way people use AI throughout their day, expressed through a friendly and familiar presence.
Planned to launch in April 2026 globally excluding China, the partnership aligns with the 15th anniversary of LINE FRIENDS’ iconic character BROWN, introducing a new way for fans to connect with BROWN in daily life.
The partnership was negotiated by Beanstalk, a division of CAA Brand Management, which represents IPX as its interactive licensing agent.
Quote
“The primary way people will experience their personal AI will be through something they genuinely love seeing every day. I can already imagine the delight fans will have when BROWN start showing up in their daily lives, like this familiar presence you're happy to see. We’re taking these characters into a whole new paradigm, one that brings us closer to why we love them in the first place.”
Max Giammario, CEO, Kindred Labs
About Kindred Labs
Kindred Labs is the character-powered AI network built on Sei, bringing officially licensed iconic IP to life as a constant, emotionally intelligent presence by your side. Kindred is among the world’s fastest-growing AI companion startups, with over 8 million users on its waitlist.
To learn more about Kindred labs, visit www.kindredlabs.ai and follow @kindred_AI on X.
LINE FRIENDS characters, now living across your devices with Kindred.
SEATTLE (AP) — Dylan Holloway scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, Brayden Schenn had three assists and the St. Louis Blues beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Robert Thomas added a goal and an assist, and defenseman Logan Mailloux also scored as the last-place Blues improved to 9-17-3 on the road with their second consecutive victory away from home against a playoff contender.
Joel Hofer made 34 saves for St. Louis, which won 3-1 on Sunday at Minnesota after going 2-8-1 in its previous 11 games.
Seattle defenseman Vince Dunn had a goal and an assist. Jaden Schwartz also scored for the Kraken, who had won five in a row at home without giving up more than two goals in any of them. Philipp Grubauer stopped 24 shots.
Seattle fell to 2-1 on its six-game homestand and 7-4-0 in its last 11 overall. The Kraken, who hold the second wild card and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, remained one point behind third-place Edmonton in the Pacific Division with a game in hand on the Oilers.
Holloway gave the Blues a 2-1 lead with his 12th goal at 7:40 of the second. The 24-year-old forward scored St. Louis' first hat trick this season and added an assist when he returned from a sprained ankle to lead the Blues over Seattle 5-1 at home in their first game back from the Olympic break last Thursday.
Thomas made it 3-1 just 1:33 into the third. Dunn trimmed Seattle's deficit to one at 13:34.
Blues: Visit the San Jose Sharks on Friday night, the third stop on a four-game trip.
Kraken: Host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
From left, St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk, defenseman Philip Broberg, right wing Jimmy Snuggerud, and center Robert Thomas celebrate after a goal by Thomas during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer reacts during an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
St. Louis Blues right wing Alexey Toropchenko skates with the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) faces off against Seattle Kraken center Chandler Stephenson (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
St. Louis Blues left wing Dylan Holloway (81) and defenseman Cam Fowler (17) celebrate with teammates after goal by Holloway and an assist to Fowler during the second period an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
