Company planning and producing anime and films with Hollywood for international distribution

As a joint venture between Japanese anime industry members and Hollywood, the new All Nippon Entertainment Works anime and film company will begin operations this month. With an investment of 6 billion yen (about US$76.86 million) from the public-private partnership Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), the company was established in October in order to support and promote Japan's contents industry.

The Japanese-American partnership is aiming to produce Japanese anime and films based and release them with tie-ins such as games, books (including novels and manga), toys, and character goods in the international marketplace. The company will get rights for popular Japanese stories from their copyright holders and collaborate with American producers on tasks such as scriptwriting and directing the films and anime. All Nippon Entertainment Works plans to produce ten titles in its first three years with an investment of 3 billion yen (about US$38.43 million).

Japanese "collaborative partner" companies announced in August include Asmik Ace Entertainment, Dentsu, Fuji Television Network, Mitsubishi Corporation, Nikkatsu Corporation, Production I.G, TOHO-TOWA Company, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, and the Tomy Company. As operations progress, All Nippon Entertainment Works plans to expand this list.

Source: Asahi Shimbun