Anime News

Toei and Disney Co-Productions Announced
Date: 8/5/2006
Co-production agreement between Toei Animation and Walt Disney Television International Japan announced
In July 2006, Toei Animation Corporation and Walt Disney Television International Japan (WDTI-J) reached an agreement to co-produce an animated series for the ?JETIX? action-adventure block on the ?Toon Disney? network run by WDTI-J. According to the contract, the cutting edge animated series that Toei Animation and WDTI-J develop will be broadcast during the ?Jetix? block on Toon Disney in 80 countries, reaching an audience of over 279 million homes.

The first animated series to be developed as part of this agreement will be a mix of CG and live action called ?Robodies.? The animated film shorts will be Toei Animation?s first series that utilizes CG animation.

The miniature robots that will appear on ?Robodies? are all original characters designed by a 12-year-old boy. The robots interact on TV in an adventure story with a heavy focus on the themes of energy and courage.

Takahashi Yutaka, Toei Animation company president, stated ?The foundation of Toei animation was influenced by Disney?s films and cartoons. We are extremely happy that, in our 50th year as a company, we have the opportunity to work with Walt Disney Television International Japan to create a partnership for the worldwide market. As we work on this world-class project, we aim to become a leading company in the field of CG animation.?

As Toei Animation reaches its 50-year anniversary, the company is undertaking a variety of new challenges. The company plans to aggressively pursue new projects, viewing CG animation as another step in its 50-year history.

Paul Candland, marketing director for WDTI-J, said ?We are very happy to have the opportunity to work with Toei Animation as a result of this agreement. We are confident that the programs broadcast on JETIX will be of an even higher quality as a result of this agreement. We will continue our efforts to bring the finest in entertainment to our viewers.?
Source: Anime News Network