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TBS Establishes New Planning Company With Focus on Animation

Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) Holdings, the parent company of the Japanese television network TBS, announced on May 14 a new company tentatively named CIP that is focused on planning, developing, and producing animation. TBS is investing 30 billion yen (about US$207 million) to establish the company with goals to maximize revenue and accelerate global expansion through collaboration with Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS).

MBS will assist in IP development, production, and distribution, utilizing its knowledge in anime. In addition to executives from MBS, CIP will also recruit people in a variety of fields, including animation, merchandise, and technology.

CIP will link its IP with various TBS businesses. The company is planning to hold events using IP from the company at Akasaka Sacas and Akasaka Entertainment City. The U-NEXT streaming service will distribute the anime from CIP. The Plaza brand will introduce merchandise with the IP for Hearts Up! customers.

Kazuhiko Akatsu is the representative of CIP, located in Akasaka.

Sources: TBS Holdings, TBS, Animation Business Journal (Tadashi Sudo)