Sony Pictures have launched a joint venture with multiple Sony-owned anime streaming businesses. France’s Wakanim, Australia’s Madman anime group, and of course its U.S. company Funimation. With this merger, Funimation will be able to acquire and distribute anime content from Japan across all of its brands. The first project that will be under this merger will be Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia. While it will be exclusive to Funimation Wakanim and Madman will receive 30-day exclusivity in their respective territories.
Colin Decker, General Manager for Funimation spoke on the merger by saying “For 25 years, Funimation has served creators, publishers, and fans. By merging, we can extend our support of the industry for another 25 years with some of the most respected talents, and brands, in global Anime.”
*Starting on October 5, episodes of Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia will stream exclusively for one month on FunimationNow, Wakanim, and Madman Anime Group’s AnimeLab before becoming available on other platforms.”
However, Colin wasn’t the only one to weigh in on the potential of the joint venture. Aniplex’s President Atsuhiro Iwakami, followed by saying “Through Sony group’s integration of Anime related streaming services, we are thrilled that numerous Japanese Anime titles will be distributed globally through its digital platforms. We hope our partnership will contribute to the further development and expansion of the Japanese Anime industry.”
What are your thoughts on this merger and what this partnership can bring in terms of more content for anime fans? Let us know in the comment section below.
Source: Press Release
