TOKYO (Business Wire) -- Ishimori Entertainment Inc., Comic Book Movies, LLC (CBM), ITOCHU Corporation, and Lotus Inc. have agreed to jointly develop motion picture franchises based on the original properties of the late Shotaro Ishinomori.
Shotaro Ishinomori (1938-1998) is one of the most famous Manga authors of all time, distinguished by his creations of more than 500 Manga characters. In Japan, his name is as widely recognized as is the name, Walt Disney, in the United States. The parties intend to produce theatrical motion pictures for a worldwide audience, with their initial release as early as 2008. Their agreement extends to DVDs, television, merchandising, and other ancillary markets critical to their franchise-building strategy.
CBM execs are veteran film producer and comic book expert Michael Uslan and financier M. Jonathan Roberts. Uslan is well known in the film and comic book industries as executive producer of the "Batman" franchise films. Uslan, an Emmy Award winning producer ("Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?"), recently donated over 30,000 comic books from his private collection to Indiana University's prestigious Lilly Library.
Lotus is CBM's exclusive agent for the procurement and development of existing and original motion picture content from Japan and Asia. Lotus develops original motion picture content in collaboration with Japanese alliance partners.
On September 1st, 2004, Ishimori Group (Ishimori Shotaro Pro and Ishimori Pro) and Itochu agreed to revitalize the Ishinomori properties by jointly establishing Ishimori Entertainment, Inc. The newly established company's primary objective is to revitalize the late author's works through motion picture production, TV programs and merchandise. The new agreement with CBM establishes an ideal platform to introduce the so-called "Ishinomori World" to a worldwide audience. Itochu will support Ishimori Entertainment as its sole overseas agent and will be responsible for the development of motion picture based Ishinomori merchandise. Ishimori Group, CBM and Itochu intend to further collaborate in an expanded business relationship uniting Hollywood with Japan on the global stage.
In addition to a variety of major consumer related businesses, Itochu is active in the content production business through its major investments in SKY PerfecTV!, Space Shower and Excite. In February 2005, Itochu and Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific agreed in principle to co-produce new Japanese animation. Including this special partnership with CBM, Itochu plans to become more actively involved in content production and investment, and anticipates providing unique content to the world through its access to animation series and characters. Itochu also intends to expand its merchandising business in both the Japanese and international markets.
Comment:
-- CBM
"The business of the future is building comic book franchises covering many different genres based upon pre-sold American and Japanese comic book, graphic novel, and Manga properties. It is a dream-come-true for this dedicated comic book fan to bring to life some of the greatest Manga characters in history, and to do so with respect to the integrity of the legendary Ishinomori's creations." - Michael Uslan, Producer and Chief Creative Officer, Comic Book Movies, LLC
"This is truly an exciting partnership for CBM. Audiences have voted, and the clear choice in entertainment is the exciting and diverse world of comics and manga." - M. Jonathan Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer, Comic Book Movies, LLC
-- Ishimori Entertainment
"We are more than excited to work with Mr. Uslan and his team in bringing back Ishinomori's works to life in the form of Hollywood motion picture. We hope to bring joy and excitement to the worldwide fans who have yet to discover the world of Ishinomori." - Akira Onodera, Chief Executive Officer, Ishimori Entertainment Inc.
-- ITOCHU Corporation
"We are very much excited about this new relationship and hope to introduce the 'Ishinomori World' to the worldwide audience through content production and merchandising." - Nobuyuki Kaneko, Executive Officer, ITOCHU Corporation.
-- Lotus
"Lotus is honored to be a part of this great collaboration between Ishimori, Itochu and Comic Book Movies. We anticipate seeing the creation of a new and unique motion picture genre combining the genius of Ishinomori and the distinctively creative vision of Michael Uslan." - Hiroshi Koizumi, President of Lotus Inc.
About Comic Book Movies, LLC
For more information please visit http://www.comicbookmovies.net.
About Ishimori Entertainment
For more information, please visit http://www.ishimori-e.jp/.
About Shotaro Ishinomori
Born Shotaro Onodera in Ishinomori town, Toyoma county (present Toyoma city), in Miyagi Prefecture in 1938, Ishinomori studied under Osamu Tezuka, the great Manga author. He made his debut in 1955 with "Nikyu-Tenshi (Second Class Angel), while he was a student at the Miyagi Prefecture Sanuma High School. The author is known for various story-Manga titles such as "Cyborg 009" "Kamen Rider (Masked Rider)" "Sabu to Ichi Torimonohikae (Sabu and Ichi Detective Story)" "Manga Introduction to Japanese Economy" "Manga Introduction to Japanese History" and played a leading role in the Manga industry. For 45 years, the author has endeavored in his activity in the front line, challenging countless genres and pursuing the potentiality of Manga. In the numerous works of Ishinomori lie universal messages that do not fade away; "Kamen Rider" and "Cyborg 009" made their revival after his death in 1998 and acclaimed high reputation.
About ITOCHU Corporation
For more information, please visit http://www.itochu.co.jp/main/index_e.html.
About Lotus Inc.
For more information, please visit http://www.lotus-tyo.com/.
For Comic Book Movies, LLC
Nanette Leonard Public Relations, 732-671-7995
NLPR@aol.com
or
Ishimori Entertainment Inc.
Masaomi Arita, 81-3-5774-0910
m-arita@ishimori-e.jp
or
ITOCHU Corporation
Yasuhiko Takahashi, 81-3-3497-7293
takahashi-yasuhiko@itochu.co.jp
or
Lotus, Inc.
Takayuki Takeda, 81-3-5475-2561
takeda@lotus-tyo.com
© Business Wire
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