Nelvana Teams with Polygon Pictures

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana has signed a development deal with digital animation studio Polygon Pictures to deliver Japanese animated kids’ content to the global market.

The collaboration leverages Polgyon’s position and reputation in the Japanese market and Nelvana’s successful track record of partnering to bring Japanese animated properties, such as Bakugan, Beyblade and Cardcaptor Sakura, to international audiences.

The companies will focus on Japanese properties aimed at younger audiences, drawing inspiration from existing legacy content and creating new perspectives with lifestyle, publishing and design.

Veteran animation expert Rika Sasaki will work with Nelvana and Polygon on this new venture. Sasaki has experience managing Japanese IP for global export from her previous roles at d-rights Inc., ADK Emotion and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions.

“Nelvana has enjoyed tremendous success over the years working with several notable Japanese content companies on such brands as Bakugan, Beyblade and Cardcaptor Sakura, and we are excited to team up with Polygon Pictures to uncover the next big global hit,” said Colin Bohm, executive VP of content and corporate strategy at Corus Entertainment. “We’ve long admired Polygon Pictures, a truly innovative and creative studio, and we couldn’t be happier to be working together.”

“Over the past 10 plus years, Doug Murphy, president and CEO of Corus Entertainment; Colin; and I have had many impassioned discussions about how we can synergize our strengths to create global hits out of properties originating from Japan,” said Shuzo Shiota, president of Polygon Pictures. “With the help of Rika, I believe the time is finally ripe to achieve this goal. I am beyond excited at the prospect of what this partnership will bring.”