Disney draws up Japanese anime projects
Thursday, 06 Mar 2008 14:59
Disney, producer of Ratatouille, has struck a deal with a Japanese anime maker
Walt Disney is reportedly planning a tie-up with Japanese anime maker Toei Animation to produce cartoons to Asian tastes.
Disney plans to produce three programmes with Toei, with the first, a short animated film about a robot, scheduled to air in May.
US entertainment giant Disney also plans to make a Japanese Lilo and Stitch, according to reports.
Shares in Toei Animation soared in Tokyo trading on Thursday following an article in the Nikkei Business Daily, which were later confirmed by a Disney executive to the Associated Press.
A spokesperson told Reuters: "Japan is an important market with a huge Disney following, especially because we have a Disney resort here," she said, referring to a Tokyo complex that includes Tokyo Disneyland.
In addition to Toei, Disney will work with Madhouse Co and Jinni's Animation Studios.
Toei Animation's Jasdaq-listed shares rose 3.4 per cent to 2,285 yen (£10.96) in afternoon trading.