AP reports that the Walt Disney Co. has signed on to produce new animated features and tv series with several Japanese Animation companies. Asia’s animation market is a lucrative one, and Disney is intending to release these shows to gain a wider public acceptance of their projects.
Three animation companies have been named as partners with Disney: Toei Animation Co., Madhouse Co. and Jinni’s Animation Studios. Nikkei, Japan’s daily business news source, says
With Madhouse, Disney will produce a TV program “Stitch!,” an offspring of the Lilo & Stitch series, to be aired in Japan, the official said. With Jinni, Disney will make a short animation film “Fireball,” she said.
Nikkei also stated that
the partnerships would allow Disney to tap local talent and computer graphics technology to produce programs targeting audiences in Japan and elsewhere in Asia.
These programs will be broadcast via satellite and terrestrial channels, but Disney will also look into delivering content to mobile phones, the report said.
The Walt Disney Co. is located in Burbank, CA. This will be the first time they have gone completely offshore with their entire production pipeline for major projects.
