Netflix Strikes Partnerships With Four Animation Studios From Japan And Korea

Netflix’s charge into the anime market continues apace. The streamer has signed production partnerships with four studios — three in Japan, one in South Korea.

Here are the details:

• The studios in question are Naz, Science Saru, and Mappa in Japan, as well as Studio Mir in South Korea. Netflix’s stated aim is “to explore new stories and formats to entertain anime fans around the world.” (Editorial note: Netflix tends to present shows with an anime-influenced look as anime, and describes Studio Mir as an anime studio. Cartoon Brew reserves the term “anime” for works chiefly created and produced in Japan.)
• Netflix has worked with most of these studios already. Science Saru is behind the streamer’s series Devilman Crybaby and Japan Sinks: 2020 (image at top), both directed by Masaaki Yuasa. Mappa is producing LeSean Thomas’s forthcoming series Yasuke.
• Studio Mir provided the animation for the Netflix series Voltron: Legendary Defender and Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, both produced by Dreamworks Animation. The studio is also working on the streamer’s forthcoming feature The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.

The future is looking more animated than ever. We’re partnering with four more studios to bring you the best in anime as NAZ, Science SARU, Studio Mir, and MAPPA join a line-up of heavy hitters including Production I.G, bones, Anime, Sublimation, and David Production. pic.twitter.com/mRqwdMqiib

— ⚰️😈 The NXorcist 👻🔪 (@NXOnNetflix) October 23, 2020

• The streamer has pushed hard into the anime space in recent years, challenging dedicated services like Crunchyroll and Funimation. It has previously struck non-exclusive partnerships with Japanese studios Production I.G, Bones, Anima, Sublimation, and David Production. In February, it partnered with six Japanese creators to develop anime shows.
• Taiki Sakurai, anime chief producer at Netflix, said in a statement:
  

  In just four years, we’ve built a dedicated team based in Tokyo that serves to entertain the global anime community through new and aspirational storytelling. With these additional partnerships with industry trailblazers who do amazing work, often marrying the latest technologies and traditional hand-drawn animation, we’re excited to bring fans a greater variety of even more amazing stories.