The world of Anime is changing as Sony Pictures Television Networks is working on a deal to buy 95% of Japanese anime distributor Funimation Productions for $143 million, according to reports by Deadline.
“Around the world, Sony’s networks have been major players in the anime space for nearly two decades, and in more recent years we have rapidly increased our networks’ over-the-top and digital offerings to consumers. With the acquisition of Funimation, the combined IP of Animax, Kids Station and Funimation allows us to deliver the best anime to fans across all screens and platforms,” said Andy Kaplan, President of Worldwide Networks at Sony Pictures Television.
Funimation CEO, Gen Fukunaga will now hold 5% of the company and still be in charge. Based out of Texas, Funimation licenses and distributes Japanese anime content in the U.S. along with the streaming service FunimationNow.
“With Funimation’s long-established leadership position in anime and Sony’s direct access to the creative pipeline in Japan, it will be a great partnership to take Funimation to the next level,” said Fukunaga.
Funimation was founded in 1994 by Fukunaga with its most popular property being Toei Animation’s action-adventure series ‘Dragon Ball Z.’
This is big news for Anime fans, what do you think? Comment below.
