Global streaming giant Netflix has entered into partnerships with Japanese production companies Anima, Sublimation. and David Production. On top of earlier deals with Production I.G and bones in 2018, these team-ups will add more fuel to the platform’s ever growing original anime engine.
“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.”
— John Derderian, Director of Content (Japan), Netflix
These production houses and Netflix will jointly create original series including Altered Carbon: Resleeved from Anima, 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 partner with Sublimation on Dragon’s Dogma, an original anime series based on the critically acclaimed video game of the same name. And Netflix will jointly create SPRIGGAN, based on a manga series, with David Production.
“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.”
— Shinya Sasahara, Representative Director, Anima, Inc.
“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.”
— Atsushi Koishikawa, Representative Director, Sublimation Inc.
“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.”
— Koji Kajita, President & CEO, David Production Inc.
These titles join Production I.G’s Ghost in the Shell: SAC _2045, premiering on Netflix in 2020; WIT STUDIO’s Vampire in the Garden, and bones production Super Crooks, based on the comic book created by writer Mark Millar and artist Leinil Francis Yu,
“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.”
— Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, President & CEO, Production I.G, Inc.
“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.”
— Masahiko Minami, Representative Director, bones.inc
Altered Carbon: Resleeved (anima Inc.) This anime feature spin-off, set in the same universe of the Netflix live-action sci-fi series (second season in production from Skydance Television), will explore new elements of the story mythology.
Dragon’s Dogma (Sublimation Inc.) Based on a world-famous action RPG set in an open world, Dragon’s Dogma from CAPCOM will be brought to life as a Netflix original anime series. The story follows a man’s journey seeking revenge on a dragon who stole his heart. On his way, the man is brought back to life as an “Arisen.” An action adventure about a man challenged by demons who represent the seven deadly sins of humans.
SPRIGGAN (David Production Inc.) Netflix original anime based on classic manga by Hiroshi Takashige, illustrated by Ryoji Minagawa. Edgy sci-fi battle action about a man with supernatural powers to seal historical remains.
Ghost in the Shell: SAC _2045 (Production I.G) Created by Masamune Shiro, the sequel of much acclaimed Ghost in the Shell SAC series has come back as a full 3DCG anime series. Directors Kenji Kamiyama, Shinji Aramaki and SOLA DIGITAL ARTS will collaborate once again following ULTRAMAN (streaming April 1 on Netflix). This is the first Ghost In the Shell series to be brought to fans with a double director.
Vampire in the Garden (WIT STUDIO) An original series by WIT STUDIO about two girls, Momo and Fine, from different backgrounds who meet by chance. A story about an unlikely friendship between human and vampire race that intertwines with the power of music.
Super Crooks (bones.inc) A story by Mark Millar and artist Leinil Francis Yu, the creators of Kick Ass and Wanted. Crime and thrills meets supernatural powers in this Millarworld title.
