Funimation Acquires Manga Entertainment

Funimation, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television, is bringing more anime to fans in the U.K. and Ireland with the acquisition of Manga Entertainment, a distributor of the Japanese animation in the region.

Headquartered in London, Manga is a long-term partner of Funimation. Following its consolidation into Funimation U.K.’s home entertainment business, will become the region’s largest distributor of anime Blu-rays and DVDs, offering fans more than 900 hours of subtitled and dubbed entertainment.

With the acquisition, many anime titles will become available for the first time for streaming in the U.K. and Ireland on FunimationNow in the coming months, including Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Naruto Shippuden, Ghost in the Shell: Innocence and Sword Art Online.

“With this acquisition, we will create a truly immersive anime experience for fans in the U.K. and Ireland,” said Mitchel Berger, VP of sales and distribution for Funimation. “This begins with providing fans access to Manga’s library of titles to enjoy whenever and wherever they want on FunimationNow. Together with the Manga team, Funimation will bring its fan-first omnichannel approach to serving anime fans—engaging with them directly through the widest array of touchpoints.”

“On behalf of Manga Entertainment, we’re thrilled to join Funimation and their expanding global business,” said Jerome Mazandarani, managing director of Manga Entertainment Limited. “We’re excited for the new opportunities that lie ahead and to serve anime fans in the U.K. and Ireland in a bigger way than ever before.”