1Pondo is a crucial piece of the puzzle. To circumvent Japan's stringent censorship laws, the company is legally registered in the United States. Operating from 2001, it has built a business model on offering high-definition, uncensored content for download, boasting a library of over 2,900 videos. With the motto of being a "manufacturer of non-mosaic" videos, 1Pondo operates in the "gray area" of the industry, which has often been referred to as the "underground" side of JAV.

For decades, talent agencies held absolute power over the entertainment landscape. Agencies like the former Johnny & Associates controlled the male idol market, dictating television casting and strictly controlling their artists' digital footprints. While the internet and streaming services are slowly decentralizing this power, agencies still retain massive influence over mainstream media. Video Games: A Global Revolution