Toei Scores New U.S. Deals

LOS ANGELES, April 24: Toei Animation has licensed the fifth
season of Digimon to Disney ABC Cable
Networks for launch on Toon Disney’s Jetix block, and has inked a DVD deal with
FUNimation Entertainment on One Piece.

Season five of Digimon, named
Digimon Data Squad, will premiere
on the Jetix U.S. block this fall. Toei Animation is producing 48 new episodes,
which will bring the total number of Digimon half-hours to 253. The franchise has been licensed
into more than 40 countries.

In addition, Toei Animation has awarded FUNimation
Entertainment the North American DVD distribution rights to One Piece. FUNimation will produce an uncut English-speaking
adaptation of the successful Japanese brand, which has been renewed for a third
season on Cartoon Network’s Toonami
block.