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Toei Animation and Backstage ink a deal to re-launch the classic ‘anime’ SAILORMOON on the Italian market. The Italian agency will manage the exploitation of the following rights for Italy: TV, publishing, merchandising and theatrical release. The feasibility of this project also relies on a close collaboration with the original author of SAILORMOON, Mrs Naoko Takeuchi. «We are very happy» commented Kanji Kazahaya, Directeur General, Toei Animation Europe, «to have Backstage as the licensing partner of SAILORMOON. It is one of the most important factor of success. We are certain that strategically Italy is the ideal country to initiate a global re-launch of the classic Japanese animated series, such as SAILORMOON. The Italian public has traditionally been passionate about ‘anime’». Toei Animation confirms the trust given to the Italian agency, which is already in charge of managing other important Toei Animation properties such as Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya and One Piece. In Japan, SAILORMOON has been a real cultural phenomenon but also one of the biggest success worldwide during the 90’s. With 5 seasons, a total of 200 episodes of 26 min. each, plus six feature films, SAILORMOON managed to conquer a wide public, mainly female, thanks to its uniqueness and a plot full of humor, actions and emotions. «We are thrilled to manage SAILORMOON rights for the second time» said Gianpietro Peia, Backstage CEO. «We are very proud of the outcome of the delicate negotiation with the author and also of the trust gained by Toei Animation. SAILORMOON can rely on hundreds of passionate and excited fans so we are positive about obtaining good commercial results. Many Italian companies have already expressed their interest and they will be able to take advantage of a totally new and redesigned Style Guide». Mediaset have already purchased the TV rights and they should air the first series in Autumn 2010. |
