Chisaki Watanabe of the Associated Press writes that the Walt Disney Company will partner to produce animation for Japanese television.
Disney will work with Toei Animation Co., Madhouse Co. and Jinni’s Animation Studios, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to comply with company rules.
The move was aimed at localizing contents of Disney products for a wider audience, she said.
“We need to make contents which fit the Japanese market to further boost the popularity of Disney in Japan,” she said.
Hmmm – Tokyo Disney Resort, Disney Stores… is the popularity lagging? In all seriousness, it can’t hurt to be even more popular.
The moves allow Disney, based in Burbank, Calif., to tap local talent and computer graphics technology to produce programs in Japan. Disney has no immediate plans to air the programs in other countries, but it is eyeing overseas markets, she said.
Disney has its own animation and movie channels in more than 100 countries, including Japan, where it launched Disney Channel in 2003. The company also started offering a cellular phone service here this month.
The Animation Guild Blog has this post on the matter.