Six Japanese Producers for Netflix Anime Originals

This week, Netflix revealed that it has collaborated with six Japanese creators to create original anime series for fans around the world as part of the company's continuing effort to build on its best-in-class anime originals with deep artistic roots in Japan.

The six authors — CLAMP (Cardcaptor Sakura), Shin Kibayashi (The Kindaichi Case Files), Yasuo Ohtagaki (Mobile Suit Gundam: Thunderbolt), Otsuichi (Goth), Tow Ubukata (Mardock Scramble) and Mari Yamazaki (Thermae Romae) are a blend of manga artists, novelists, screenwriters and filmmakers who have played an integral part in today's anime success.

"We're excited to work with these extraordinary creators to bring Netflix's best class anime," said Taiki Sakurai, Netflix's chief producer, Anime. "These collaborations are part of our wider investment strategy to support Japanese anime— giving creators the ability to tell brave, creative stories and give them access to fans around the world, as creativity is boundless in anime world."

These collaborations are part of Netflix's increasing anime and local industry commitment. Last year, Netflix collaborated with five Japanese animation producers: production I.G, bones, anima, David Production and Sublimation, and with today's announcement, Netflix will continue to expand the creative and manufacturing process of some of the most innovative and high-quality anime.

Besides the new originals being created, Netflix will also explore ways for members to engage with these new off-screen shows through publishing and consumer products.

"We are excited to be accepted into this brand new project. We look forward to the day when our shows produced with Netflix will touch fans across 190 countries ." — Nanase Ohkawa (CLAMP)

"Being part of a Netflix show that reaches viewers worldwide as a Japanese maker is satisfying. I'm excited to work on new characters, worlds and storylines ." — Shin Kibayashi. 

"As a creator, it's such an honor to have this opportunity to reach out to a global audience. From my homeland in Japanese manga to the world's major leagues — it's a thrilling time for me to believe in my craft and aim for new heights ." — Yasuo Ohtagaki.

"For me, part of a Netflix show takes a lot of commitment. I imagine watching shows to 190 countries all at once would feel like joining content creators ' world championships. Just thinking of a global audience hungry for new shows blows my mind." — Otsuichi.
"It's a proud moment to join Netflix's world-class producers! I'm excited to start working on larger-than-life space sci-fi shows that fans around the world would enjoy!" —Ubukata Tow

"I can't wait to see how fans around the world will respond to our shows. These answers will help me become a better creator and inspire my next creations. It's important to me to show the transcendence of cultures and to touch the hearts of Netflix members around the world ."— Mari Yamazaki.

 Details of the new series are announced later.