Dentsu Inc. to jointly develop animated works with DreamWorks Animation Television

The text of the Dentsu Inc. news release distributed on December 25 is as follows.

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December 25, 2017

Dentsu Inc. to Co-Develop Anime Works with DreamWorks Animation Television

― Launching a Video Project for the Popular "BEARBRICK" Figure with Global Expansion in Mind ―

Dentsu Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshihiro Yamamoto) announced that its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc. (Dentsu Inc. Entertainment USA / Los Angeles, President: Yuki Kinoshita), has signed a joint planning and development agreement with major U.S. animation studio DreamWorks Animation Television (hereinafter DreamWorks) for a television anime series based on the popular Japanese figure toy "BE@RBRICK".

Dentsu Inc. actively pursues projects to adapt outstanding Japanese intellectual property, such as toys and games, into visual content for the global market. As one approach to global expansion, it combines Japanese source material with planning by U.S. creators. This strategy has earned high industry acclaim, exemplified by the upcoming broadcast of the currently-in-production anime "Mega Man" (based on the IP by Capcom Co., Ltd.) on a major U.S. network.

DreamWorks, meanwhile, is a U.S. film and television studio with over 20 years of experience, known for such hits as "Shrek," "Madagascar," "Kung Fu Panda," "How to Train Your Dragon," "Trolls," and "The Boss Baby." It currently operates as part of NBCUniversal Group, one of the world's largest media and entertainment companies.

Dentsu Inc. has long recognized the potential of "BE@RBRICK," which has a passionate fanbase primarily in Asia. Having secured DreamWorks' endorsement, the two companies will now jointly commence planning and development.

■BE@RBRICK Concept Image

■ About "BE@RBRICK" (Bearbrick)

Launched in 2001 by Medicom Toy Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) to mark the 100th anniversary of the beloved teddy bear, BE@RBRICK is a 7cm-tall block-type bear figure based on the concept of "creating a digital image teddy bear." It is made following the rule of "designing solely through printing," with no additions beyond the nine separate body parts.

Resonating with this "limitless potential for expression" and captivated by its adorable form, BE@RBRICK has collaborated with numerous artists, brands, companies, and characters. It has continuously released thousands of different items to the market, gaining a large global fanbase as an "art toy."

■About DreamWorks Animation Television

DreamWorks Animation Television, a division of Universal Film Entertainment Group (UFEG), is the world's largest production company specializing in family-oriented animated programming. Its shows air on television and are available on-demand in 190 countries worldwide. Recognized for its high quality, the studio has won 17 Emmy Awards since 2013.

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Dentsu Inc. News Release
http://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2017/1225-009421.html