Source: Nippon Television Network Corporation Public Relations press release Official Site: Tatsunoko Production Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) has acquired shares of Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and has made the company a Nippon TV subsidiary.
Founded in 1962, Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. (Tatsunoko Production) is involved in the planning and production of animation films, television series, and character licensing business. Since its inception, Tatsunoko Production has produced myriads of popular animation series such as GATCHAMAN (???????????, Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman, 1972-1974), THE GENIE FAMILY (????????, Hakushon Daimaoo, 1969-1970), and SPEED RACER (???GoGoGo, Mach Go, Go, Go, 1966-1968), which have won the hearts of viewers both in Japan and abroad. Furthermore, Tatsunoko Production holds the domestic and international rights to many animation films, series, and characters. In 2009, Nippon TV was the first to succeed in remaking the animation YATTERMAN (?????? Yattaaman, 1977-1979) into a live action film, 30 years after the original series broadcast. Leading up to the remake of GATCHAMAN into a live action film in August 2013, Nippon TV spent two years introducing it in an animated segment on its morning infotainment program ZIP! Tatsunoko Production owns and controls more than 50 original works and has the authority to decide on its own regarding the merchandising, licensing, remaking, and other use of these works. For this and other reasons, as a result of discussions with TOMY Company, Ltd., parent company of Tatsunoko Production, Nippon TV has decided to acquire 54.3% of Tatsunoko Production`s equity. Nippon TV believes that adding Tatsunoko Production to its group of companies will enable it to strategically enhance its remake and content businesses going forward. Tatsunoko Production becomes a subsidiary of Nippon TV upon completion of the equity acquisition. Integrating Tatsunoko Production`s content with Nippon TV group`s production and sales capability will create a high-quality content production synergy effect and will leverage Nippon TV`s content remaking expertise, leading to business expansion both in Japan and abroad. Moreover, the acquisition will further strengthen ties between Nippon TV and TOMY Company, Ltd., particularly in the character licensing business arena. Capitalizing on each other`s strengths, specifically Nippon TV`s content production capability and sheer power in the media industry, and TOMY Company, Ltd.`s product development and distribution capabilities, will lead to the expansion of each company`s respective character licensing business. The equity acquisition of Tatsunoko Production, along with the strengthening of relations between Nippon TV and TOMY Company, Ltd., are in line with Nippon TV`s "Nippon TV Group Medium Term Management Plan 2012-2015 Next60". Nippon TV strives to promote strategies that enable the roll-out of a wide range of content through diverse and multi-faceted media channels and devices, in order to broaden and maximize the brand value of such content and enhance corporate earnings. Nippon TV believes that this acquisition will play a vital role in the acceleration of the company`s global expansion.
About Nippon Television Network Corporation
"Nippon", or Japan as it is more commonly known abroad, was captivated in 1953 when Nippon Television Network Corporation became the country`s first commercial broadcaster. Since then, our friends from around the world have come to call us "NTV". Also the first in Nippon to broadcast in color and the first commercial broadcaster to sell programs abroad, we have truly become pioneers of television in our country. We enter 2014 with our hearts set on creating a new era of even more firsts. A new era that is worthy of a new identity -- one that reflects our position as the gold standard of television in our country, Nippon. Please call us "Nippon TV".
About Tatsunoko Production
“The dream for children from all of the world....” These words are the corporate motto and led to the foundation of Tatsunoko Production in 1962. Tatsunoko made the first step into the world of animation by giving birth to SPACE ACE in 1965 and then to MACH GO GO GO (a.k.a. SPEED RACER) in 1967. Beginning in the late ‘60s, Tatsunoko’s original animations were sweeping over the world and sending hits to every genre such as GATCHAMN and SAMURAI PIZZA CATS. Tatsunoko celebrates its 50th anniversary and is planning to utilize and exploit the world renowned properties to expand into the broader entertainment and services market.