Nelvana and Funimation to co-produce anime
NELVANA REPRESENTING NEW ANIME PROPERTY AT MIPCOM 2004
October 5, 2004
Company teams with FUNimation, Fuji Creative Corporation, Planet Inc. and Tvbean on new action-adventure toon
(Cannes, France—October 5, 2004) Today at MIPCOM 2004, Corus Entertainment's Nelvana announces that they are negotiating a strategic partnership with FUNimation Productions, LTD., a leader in U.S. home entertainment distribution and brand management, on a ‘panda-ramic’ new show for kids ages six to 11.
“The panda is an animal that is globally recognizable and irresistibly adorable. With the panda as our platform, we have illustrated a story of adventure, courage and love which we anticipate will be universally enjoyed,” said Chauven Tarng, C.E.O of Tvbean Co. Ltd., creators of the property.
A co-production with Fuji Creative Corporation, Planet Inc. and Tvbean, the 26 x 30-minute series (title TBD) is a panda-centric epic adventure set in a fantastical world. Through a twist of fate, mild-mannered panda Toby is plucked from obscurity and charged with the task of saving his planet. Toby must lead a group of Pandalians on a quest to recover the seven Beans of Power and outsmart scheming rival Kul to win the heart of the aptly named Love.
Nelvana and FUNimation have agreed that they jointly control sales, distribution and merchandising rights outside of Asia.
“Good and evil, action and adventure, heroism and romance—PandaMania combines all of the elements that are key to becoming a must-have collectible phenomenon,” said Doug Murphy, Nelvana's Executive VP of Business Development. “We believe that this is a property that will have equal boy-girl appeal, both on air and off.”
“FUNimation is enthusiastic to extend our relationship with both Nelvana and Fuji Creative Corp. on another project that will have worldwide exposure and appeal,” said Gen Fukunaga, President of FUNimation.
“The global trend towards co-productions on Asia's supply of anime titles continues,” said Yukio Sonobe, Deputy Director, International Department at Fuji Creative Corp. "Originally an Internet-based property from Taiwan, PandaMania is now ready to be unveiled globally. We are honored to be a part of this new and exciting project."
About Nelvana Limited
Nelvana Limited is one of the world's leading international producers and distributors of children's programming and products. Its current stable of franchise properties includes Emmy Award®-winning and globally renowned brands such as Babar, Franklin, Maurice Sendak's Little Bear, The Berenstain Bears and Beyblade. Nelvana is owned by Corus Entertainment, a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and Radio. The company's other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges. Corus' website can be found at www.corusent.com
About FUNimation
FUNimation Productions, LTD. is a full-service brand management company and one of the nation's leading independent home video entertainment companies. FUNimation has in-house production, licensing, Internet, marketing, and home video sales and distribution divisions. For additional information on FUNimation and its properties visit www.funimation.com, or contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251, or pr@funimation.com.
About Fuji Creative Corporation
Fuji Creative Corporation (FCC) is a subsidiary of FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK, INC., a Japan's leading terrestrial TV station. FCC is specialized in both distribution and production of quality TV programs. Fully experienced in international licensing and distribution for 30 years, our properties now cover not only Animation and Dramas but also Formats. FCC realizes innovative attempts, which meet the demands of the local viewers timely by strengthening the partnership with broadcasters in each country. We are determined to continue creating a future media full of dreams and possibilities.
About Tvbean
Established in May 2002, Tvbean creates animated entertainment properties for distribution across the Internet, multimedia, and traditional visual platforms. Since 2003, Tvbean has focused its attention on the animated character business and digital content development in the international market.
About Planet Inc.
Japan-based Planet Inc. is a leading producer of anime series. The company is currently constructing an anime studio with an advanced mass-production system that will house its team of creators and 2-D/3-D animators. Planet is also a copyright holding company that arranges joint-development of original productions with cartoonists and printing companies.
October 5, 2004
Company teams with FUNimation, Fuji Creative Corporation, Planet Inc. and Tvbean on new action-adventure toon
(Cannes, France—October 5, 2004) Today at MIPCOM 2004, Corus Entertainment's Nelvana announces that they are negotiating a strategic partnership with FUNimation Productions, LTD., a leader in U.S. home entertainment distribution and brand management, on a ‘panda-ramic’ new show for kids ages six to 11.
“The panda is an animal that is globally recognizable and irresistibly adorable. With the panda as our platform, we have illustrated a story of adventure, courage and love which we anticipate will be universally enjoyed,” said Chauven Tarng, C.E.O of Tvbean Co. Ltd., creators of the property.
A co-production with Fuji Creative Corporation, Planet Inc. and Tvbean, the 26 x 30-minute series (title TBD) is a panda-centric epic adventure set in a fantastical world. Through a twist of fate, mild-mannered panda Toby is plucked from obscurity and charged with the task of saving his planet. Toby must lead a group of Pandalians on a quest to recover the seven Beans of Power and outsmart scheming rival Kul to win the heart of the aptly named Love.
Nelvana and FUNimation have agreed that they jointly control sales, distribution and merchandising rights outside of Asia.
“Good and evil, action and adventure, heroism and romance—PandaMania combines all of the elements that are key to becoming a must-have collectible phenomenon,” said Doug Murphy, Nelvana's Executive VP of Business Development. “We believe that this is a property that will have equal boy-girl appeal, both on air and off.”
“FUNimation is enthusiastic to extend our relationship with both Nelvana and Fuji Creative Corp. on another project that will have worldwide exposure and appeal,” said Gen Fukunaga, President of FUNimation.
“The global trend towards co-productions on Asia's supply of anime titles continues,” said Yukio Sonobe, Deputy Director, International Department at Fuji Creative Corp. "Originally an Internet-based property from Taiwan, PandaMania is now ready to be unveiled globally. We are honored to be a part of this new and exciting project."
About Nelvana Limited
Nelvana Limited is one of the world's leading international producers and distributors of children's programming and products. Its current stable of franchise properties includes Emmy Award®-winning and globally renowned brands such as Babar, Franklin, Maurice Sendak's Little Bear, The Berenstain Bears and Beyblade. Nelvana is owned by Corus Entertainment, a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and Radio. The company's other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges. Corus' website can be found at www.corusent.com
About FUNimation
FUNimation Productions, LTD. is a full-service brand management company and one of the nation's leading independent home video entertainment companies. FUNimation has in-house production, licensing, Internet, marketing, and home video sales and distribution divisions. For additional information on FUNimation and its properties visit www.funimation.com, or contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251, or pr@funimation.com.
About Fuji Creative Corporation
Fuji Creative Corporation (FCC) is a subsidiary of FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK, INC., a Japan's leading terrestrial TV station. FCC is specialized in both distribution and production of quality TV programs. Fully experienced in international licensing and distribution for 30 years, our properties now cover not only Animation and Dramas but also Formats. FCC realizes innovative attempts, which meet the demands of the local viewers timely by strengthening the partnership with broadcasters in each country. We are determined to continue creating a future media full of dreams and possibilities.
About Tvbean
Established in May 2002, Tvbean creates animated entertainment properties for distribution across the Internet, multimedia, and traditional visual platforms. Since 2003, Tvbean has focused its attention on the animated character business and digital content development in the international market.
About Planet Inc.
Japan-based Planet Inc. is a leading producer of anime series. The company is currently constructing an anime studio with an advanced mass-production system that will house its team of creators and 2-D/3-D animators. Planet is also a copyright holding company that arranges joint-development of original productions with cartoonists and printing companies.
bookmark/share with:
