Netflix to create original anime content
March 12, 2019
Netflix has entered into partnerships with Anima, Sublimation and David Production.
These production houses and Netflix will jointly create original anime series including the animated series Altered Carbon: Resleeved from Anima. Altered Carbon is based on Netflix’s original live action science fiction series whose first season launched in February of 2018 and for which a second season is currently in production. Netflix will also partner with Sublimation on Dragon’s Dogma, an original anime series based on the video game of the same name. Lastly, Netflix will jointly create SPRIGGAN, based on a manga series, with David Production.
These titles join two series that will be produced by Production I.G and bones. They are Production I.G’s Ghost in the Shell: SAC _2045, premiering on Netflix in 2020; and WIT STUDIO’s,Vampire in the Garden. Bones will produce Super Crooks, based on the comic book created by writer Mark Millar and artist Leinil Francis Yu.
“Netflix aims to be the most compelling and attractive home for anime fans, creators and production studios. We are creating an environment where production houses can do their best work, and deliver their shows on a service where we connect anime fans from over 190 countries to content they love” said Netflix Director of Content (Japan), John Derderian.
anima Inc., Representative Director, Shinya Sasahara, said: “We’re particularly excited by the production line deal as this allows our creative team to focus on creating great content. We are proud to work on a well-known title like Altered Carbon as the first title from this partnership, and to have the opportunity to bring our creation to fans all over the world. Please look forward to anime unique to anima.”
Sublimation, Representative Director, Atsushi Koishikawa commented: “Sublimation team has long dreamt of working on our own title. We have oftentimes worked with partner studios to create partial CGI portions within a given title, so we feel very fortunate to work with Netflix through this production line deal. We’re excited to bring our unique cel shaded animation that carries hand-drawn textures to anime fans around the world.”
David Production, President and CEO, Koji Kajita: “This deal opens us to story development for international audiences beyond Japan, as well as the chance to explore new technologies and creative expressions on a long-term basis. With this new opportunity, we are ready to devote our creative passion as a player in the Japanese anime production space.”
Production I.G, President & CEO, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, said: “Through our partnership with Netflix, we are able to secure the necessary amount of time for bold creative challenges, and deliver great content with consistency. It is exciting that Production Line Deal has allowed our creators at Production I.G and WIT STUDIO to move beyond the Japanese anime business ecosystem. This is a great opportunity that challenges us to deliver content unique to our talents to fans all over the world.”
bones, Representative Director, Masahiko Minami, commented: “This partnership allows our creators engage the global anime fanbase. We look forward to a long-term partnership with Netflix to deliver content that touches the hearts of anime fans regardless of nationality or age.”