TV Asahi has signed a global licensing agreement with London-based 8 Lions Entertainment for the distribution of the popular Japanese anime "Ninja Hattori-kun." The agreement aims to expand the fanbase in the global market, targeting all regions except Japan. The contract aims to revitalize Japanese IP in overseas markets and strengthen multilingual distribution for regions outside of Japan.
TV Asahi, in collaboration with 8 Lions, has launched a localized YouTube channel for "Ninja Hattori-kun," and will begin distributing content in four languages: Spanish, Arabic, Thai, and Vietnamese.
"Ninja Hattori-kun" is a manga by Fujiko Fujio A, which began serialization in 1964. A live-action drama was produced in the 1960s, and a television anime series produced by Shin-Ei Animation aired from 1981 to 1987. Multiple anime series, live-action films, games, and new anime series produced in collaboration with overseas studios have been developed. It enjoys enduring popularity in India, Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East, and the broadcast of a new anime series in India in 2012 also attracted attention.
Zierra Esmat, CEO of 8 Lions, commented, "Until now, much of Japanese anime has been confined to paid platforms. But now, through free distribution centered on AVOD, there are opportunities to connect directly with a wider audience. We will place YouTube at the heart of the community and build an ecosystem where you can enjoy full seasons in multiple languages and formats. This agreement is part of 8 Lions' broader efforts to create a new distribution model for the Japanese anime catalog to the world. We are proud to be involved in this new growth phase of 'Ninja Hattori-kun.' We are deeply grateful for the innovation and cooperation of everyone involved with Ninja Hattori-kun."
Maiko Sumida, animation chief of TV Asahi's International Business Development Department, said, "'Ninja Hattori-kun' is a work that has been loved across generations in Japan. We are very pleased that this long-running series will reach new audiences around the world through 8 Lions' innovative digital and multilingual approach. We expect this initiative to lead to the formation of an even broader global fan base."
